Future Newsletters Via email
140 residents have now requested Newsletters via email rather than via U.S. mail. That’s a lot of progress, but only 8% of our homeowners. Please send your email address to the editor. It would help SAVE US A LOT of money on postage. If you have a suggestion for an alternate form or format of delivery, we want to hear from you, too. Your email address will be kept private and used only by ELHA, unless you give permission otherwise.
Tell Us Your Concerns, Take the ELHA Survey
What are your most pressing concerns regarding our neighborhood? The ELHA Board wants to know how you rank various "popular" issues. Take our web survey now, by going to the ELHA web site at www.emeraldhills.org. What needs the most attention? Schools, roads, preservation, utility undergrounding? You are part of our community, and your voice should be heard! (If you don't have Internet access, call Lee Lukehart at 650-366-5335 for a 5-minute phone interview.)
Help, please!
The ELHA needs a pro-bono attorney to occasionally assist with various matters. Call David Klausner at 650-367-9138 or email the editor for more information.
New and Improved ELHA Web Site
If you've not visited www.emeraldhills.org recently, please stop by! Our redesigned site has a new look -- with an area history, maps, government and services contact numbers, schools & parks info, and other community documents (Roads Plan, etc.). Even more useful information is planned -- not the least of which is a searchable archive of past Newsletters! If you have a particular suggestion about how we can make the site more useful, drop an email or phone call to Lee Lukehart at (Lee.Lukehart(at)emeraldhills.org, 650-366-5335).
Annual Meeting
The 2002 ELHA annual meeting was held on April 25th at the Elk’s Lodge. Newly elected Board members are Mark Botto, Carolyn Chaney (Treasurer) and Lee Lukehart (Secretary). Re-elected were David Klausner (President) and Steve Harper.
Fast Internet Access with ADSL Can Help the ELHA
If you're shopping for High-Speed Internet access with DSL and decide to go with Megapath (1-877-634-2728), please use their referral reward to help the ELHA community. Megapath’s prices match those of Pacbell/SBC. Please tell them that David Klausner referred you to Megapath, and the $100 referral award will go to the ELHA.
Mulch Giveaway?
21 of us have so far expressed interest in a mulch giveaway (possible if enough residents want it) from BFI, up to about 30 cu. yards per home. Please email your comments to the editor.
Healthy (and Free) Trees
For many of us who live in this beautiful area, we know that it is the wealth of trees that attracted us to the area in the first place. They help immeasurably to make it such a unique spot. We are fortunate to have a multitude of oak trees, which improve our air quality, keep our homes cool in summer, provide habitat to numerous species and increase our collective property values. Yet virtually every time a home is built or expanded in the area, trees are either removed or negatively impacted to the point where they die. Ironically, while most residents care deeply about the value of their homes, many do not realize the monetary value that the trees represent.
Oaks develop very hard wood because they are slow growing, and that is why they are prized for floors and furniture. Because of their density, they are also more resistant to fire (although not fireproof) than are most trees. Our poor quality, high clay content soil makes them grow even more slowly than they would in other neighborhoods. Don’t be surprised to learn that major portions of our region’s trees are over 100 years old! Far from being inexpensively replaced, we would have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to replace a single significant tree, and without guaranteed results. Just think, many of these trees were here long before us and can be a lasting legacy if we can help them to survive.
There are many controllable threats to the trees. These include improper trimming and summer watering in close proximity to them. Currently, the biggest threat lies in the blight known as "Sudden Oak Death." This disease is already well established in Marin County and at present, no known cure or treatment for it exists. The potential damage from this disease could be disastrous for the state’s trees if a way to control or cure it isn’t found. [For more information on this subject, visit the website at www.cemarin.ucdavis.edu.]
For now, though, there are a few things that are within your control and we urge you to do them:
Support the county’s Tree Protection Laws. It is illegal to cut any tree or tree limb 6" or greater in diameter without first obtaining and posting a permit (which can be obtained from the San Mateo County Building Department). The permit must be posted for 10 days prior to cutting. Penalties for illegal tree cutting range in the hundreds of dollars, will bring a halt to building, may result in a lien placed on your property and require replacement trees to be planted. If you become aware of anyone cutting a tree illegally during regular business hours Monday through Thursday, you are urged to contact the county at 650-363-4852 immediately. If it should occur at other times, call the Sheriff at 650-363-4911. If you see a tree permit posted and you are concerned about the reasons for the impending tree removal, you can talk to the homeowner and/or the County.
Use only a Certified Arborist to determine the course of action for your trees: While there is no shortage of people who will trim your trees for you, there are far fewer who are actually trained to do it properly. Failure to use a qualified professional can have disastrous results for your trees.
Maintain dry summer soil within your oak’s tree canopy. Native oaks must have dry soil in summer or they risk developing oak root fungus. If you plant a lawn or bedding plants within the canopy, you’ll provide the ideal conditions for the tree to develop the fungus. This fungus enters the tree’s roots and slowly kills the tree over the course of several years. It’s not uncommon for a tree in such conditions to look completely healthy up until the day it topples over from lack of root structure.
For a list of suggested plants appropriate for planting near oaks, go to www.sunsetmagazine.com and search for "oaks." You can also obtain a booklet by calling the California Oak Foundation at 510-763-0282, entitled "Compatible Plants Under and Around Oaks."
Help to reforest our area by planting native and other compatible trees: ELHA will help you out by giving out free trees at the "Almost Annual ELHA Tree Giveaway" on Saturday, September 28. Mark your calendars. In the past ten years, the ELHA has given away over 2000 redwood and oak trees to our homeowners to promote reforestation of the area. The Annual Tree Giveaway will include redwood, cypress, and oak. For more information contact Steve Harper (650-368-4254).
Together, our community can help to preserve this valuable natural resource for our enjoyment and for the enjoyment of future generations.
Fire Safety - Redux
This is the fire season and everyone needs to be reminded of the importance of protecting his or her property against the possibility of a major neighborhood fire. As most homeowners know, Emerald Lake Hills is one of the peninsula's high fire risk communities, but following a few simple fire safety practices can help prevent an Oakland Hills disaster. Some of these practices are to:
Yes! I want to help preserve Emerald Hills.
