Newport Beach Crews Remove Trees After Driver Killed By Fallen Eucalyptus

NEWPORT BEACH (CBS) — Crews have begun removing trees on a street on the Costa Mesa-Newport Beach border where a Tustin woman was killed after a eucalyptus fell on her car.

There are more than 100 blue gum eucalyptus trees located in a long hedgerow within the Irvine Avenue median.

The decision to begin removing the trees was made late Tuesday afternoon after an independent arborist suggested the plan to Newport Beach city officials, a city spokesperson said.

"We asked the team of arborists to first focus their attention on the remaining trees," Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said. "That has been the priority for the past four days.

"The arborists called for the removal of the trees. They suggested that the eucalyptus hedgerow that was initially planted many years ago could have been affected as individual trees aged, were removed or fell."

Police from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach will work together in monitoring the closure of Irvine Avenue. Both cities, in 2002, took on joint responsibility for the trees.

Kiff said that, although the trees are well-liked by residents, city officials "believe that the most prudent decision is to remove them all."

Kiff promised that "we will look forward to working with the community on a new street tree alternative for Irvine Avenue."

The roadway will remain closed through 5 p.m. Thursday.

Haeyoon Miller, 29, died when a tree in the hedgerow fell on her car Thursday.

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