The Community Forest Advisory Board met yesterday to discuss the future of the 100-year-old tree located at Pennsylvania & Richmond. The tree has recently been called “Filbert’s Tree” because of the neighbor who drew attention to saving the old tree. Several Hillcresters came to the meeting to support protecting it as a landmark and/or heritage tree.
Urban Forester Drew Potacki has been and continues to examine the tree. Streets Division has authorized taking DNA samples of the tree on November 22 to ascertain there is no harmful fungus. 
Mario Sierra, General Services Director for the city, is committed to working towards making the necessary adjustments to assure that the tree is preserved provided that it is a “healthy, strong and stable specimen.” Most consulted experts do not see a problem with the tree. The board plans on having the results back by the December meeting where the ultimate fate of the tree will be determined. The board voted unanimously to add this tree to the Conserve-A-Tree program, both as landmark and as a heritage tree. (Click on the link if there are trees in your neighborhood worth nominating.)
