Chainsaws are clearing a long-standing eucalyptus grove from El Cerrito's Hillside Natural Area as the city tries to reduce wildfire risk and restore native habitat, Richmond Confidential reported.
The project
- Where: about 8.7 acres of Quarry Hill, part of the Hillside Natural Area.
- What: removal of eucalyptus, acacia, Monterey cypress and Monterey pine — non-native species considered fire risks. Cal Fire designates the area a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
- Who: Powers Forestry, hired in August. Work began Sept. 1 and was expected to take about 45 working days, weekdays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Money: $510,000 from the State Coastal Conservancy, part of an $850,000 grant to the Albany–El Cerrito Wildfire Resilience Demonstration Project. About $400,000 goes to tree removal; the rest covers geotechnical work, biological surveys and planting.
The city says the grant program is meant to reduce wildfire hazards, steward natural areas and reuse wood.
Why remove instead of thin
A quarry operator planted the eucalyptus around 1910 to hold loose rock and soil; some trees are about a century old. City arborist Stephen Prée said the city considered thinning but decided removal was a more effective long-term solution. The plan behind the work, the Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan, was approved by the City Council in June 2025 after about two years of assessments. Prée said he wasn't aware of any opposition.