Anna Maria public works director George McKay told the city commission he needs direction on a controversial issue and commissioners at their Sept. 8 meeting met the issue head on.
They requested a study.
An unnamed individual apparently wants to renourish Gulf Park on the Gulf of Mexico with native plants and, at the same time, remove some Australian pines, and is willing to fund the work.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office earlier this summer dug several large holes in the park in an effort to find the body of a missing Holmes Beach woman, McKay said. The plan involves filling those holes with dirt and native plants.
However, if the donor provides the funds and the project proceeds, it would mean removing six or seven invasive Australian pines, McKay noted.
He asked commissioners if he should continue working with the donor, or just let the landscape try to recover on its own.
If the project does proceed, McKay said commissioners should expect controversy as people are divided on the issue, even though experts have said Australian pines are an invasive species that threatens native plants and trees.
The commission consensus was to go forward, but first have the individual provide a landscaping study.
“If they want to contribute, they pay for the expert,” said Commission Chair Chuck Webb.
McKay warned again that some people or groups might get offended by the removal of Australian pines, and commissioners and Mayor Mike Selby could expect telephone calls.
Commissioner Dale Woodland suggested McKay notify property owners on Cedar and Willow avenues of the possibility of removing some pines from the park and get their reaction. Gulf Park borders the beach access ends of Cedar and Willow avenues.
McKay agreed, but said he would get both sides of the issue in the survey.
Webb said nothing grows under an Australian pine anyway because it sheds its small limbs and twigs. These pile up on the ground, killing the nutrients in the ground that allow other plants to grow. The pines also block sunlight and topple easily in a hurricane because of their shallow root structure, he said.
A number of native Florida trees are better for the city than Australian pines, Webb observed.
Webb suggested that McKay also contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to see if any permits are needed to remove those pines seaward of the coastal construction control line.
“We just might need permits,” Webb said.
Regardless of permits, the commission was unanimous.
“Take them out,” Webb said, with commissioners Woodland, Jo Ann Mattick, John Quam and Gene Aubry in agreement.
Pine controversy
In 2004, the DEP issued a notice to Florida municipalities and county governments to remove Australian pines and other invasive species on public property “where possible.”
When then-Mayor SueLynn in October 2004 ordered the removal of an Australian pine that was encroaching a North Shore Drive right of way, members of the Stop Taking Our Pines organization presented her with a petition and more than 100 signatures opposing the removal. STOP said then that the issue of removing Australian pines should be decided in a voter referendum, not by the mayor or DEP.
Despite the petition, the pine was removed. Local landscape specialist Mike Miller said then that Australian pines were an invasive, non-native species that kill native vegetation and should be removed whenever possible.
Miller frequently advises Selby, McKay and the environmental education and enhancement committee on public issues related to trees, plants and landscaping in Anna Maria.
Please keep the Australian pines. I moved to Florida in the sixties. Australian pines were everywhere. They provided shade, and the bed of pine needles, which can be inches thick, make for a fabulous place to sleep on a camping trip. Contrary to some opinions, they are great trees. They not only provide shade, but are very durable in storms. This is evidenced by the fact that after 100 years they thrive, without falling over.
The purists in our community want to remove them and replace them with “native species”. This is a vapid argument. I point out the removal of the Australian pines across from city hall in Bradenton Beach. Nothing was planted in their place and the result is a barren skyline, instead of the beautiful row of pines that was the home to some of the last parrots on the southern end of the island. Now the trees are gone, and so are the parrots.
Please tell our “leaders” to stop this silly policy.
Leave the Australian pine be. They were here before us, and if we leave them alone, they will give us shade, comfort, and pleasure long after we are gone.
Funny thing, a couple years ago when they did the multimillion-dollar landscaping job on the Palma Sola Causeway, they planted lots of native plants right under the Australian Pines. A couple years later and they seem to be doing great. Drive by and see for yourself! This is obviously a case of someone trying to bribe the city into tearing down trees that everyone else enjoys, just to improve their view. Don’t do it.
I have spent many years on that beach. From the time I was 15 until now… Age 60. The Australian pines have ALWAYS been there protecting our burning feet from the hot sun as we walked down the path to the beach. There are definitely Gopher turtles living underneath the pines at the end of Cedar. Unless Florida law has changed. Gopher turtles are endangered and a protected species under Florida Law. The turtles are protected AND their burrows cannot be disturbed. Will Mr. Unnamed Donor be able to buy his way through this as well?
After reading the article. One thing came to mind. Why this particular area? Maybe the pines at the end of Cedar is blocking the gulf view from his house?
Maybe the Australian Pines ARE an invasive species but it sounds like to me that Mr. Unnamed Donor is one as well. Leave the Australian pines alone Mr. Unnamed Donor. We Floridians just happen to like them.
I LOVE the trees.
As a child, I spent my summers here on Anna Maria Island. These beautiful trees allowed me to stay at the beach during the heat of the day. I would have spontaneously combusted under the mid-day sun if it were not for their shade. They also shaded my car when it was parked at Coquina Beach, kept it from baking in the sun. I have enjoyed many a beach picnic lunch on the north end of the island.
Birds, raccoons and squirrels all shared the shade with us ( and some of our lunch if we were not careful.)
But it wouldn’t have been so enjoyable if the Australian Pines had not provided us shade. We would have blistered our fannies on the hot benches as we sat unprotected in the sun.
And I have napped while lying under the pines , listening to the whisper as the Gulf breezes blew through the Pine’s needles.
Anna Maria Island is one of the last places that still feels like Old Florida. The Australian Pine trees are a big part of what makes the Island what it is… that special feeling that both the visitors and native Floridians alike feel for this place.
I have seen some of the state parks in south Florida after they have removed the Australian Pines and “replaced” them with native plants. They are hot, uncomfortable, barren places now.
I love the Cabbage Palm mind you…but I would never plant them for shade, because there is no shade worth mentioning from a Palm Tree…or a Sea Grape or a Mangrove for that matter.
If the main reason for removing the Australian Pines is that they are invasive, then take the money that
Is being spent to remove and “replace” them , and put it towards controlling the Pines.
As for the reasoning that they come down easily during a hurricane…so do Oaks and Palms.
These Australian Pines have been here since before my grandparents were born. They were planted as wind blocks and for shade back then…
See http://australianpines.org/facts.cfm
I grew up on that beach. Those Australian pines have been there for decades. Chuck Webb is spreading bad information, because plenty grows beneath Australian pines. I suggest that Mr. Webb take a stroll beneath the pines at the end of Cedar. He’ll find sea grapes, sea oats, yucca, prickly pear, and plenty of other native species thriving beneath those insidious, villainous pines the commission so clearly knows nothing about.
As one of the last undisturbed beach areas on our island, that spot is home to several threatened gopher tortoises. The Australian pines serve as nesting spots for several species of protected shorebirds, as no other trees are tall enough to keep them out of harm’s way.
Let’s ask ourselves: Who might this mysterious donor be? Perhaps someone who owns one of the giant monolithic eyesore homes built right off the beach, trying to enhance their waterfront view?
Leave the beach the way its always been, and leave the pines alone.
The Australian Pines provide a shady alternative to our sunny beaches and they do add to the beauty of the park, even though they may not be native.
When we bring visitors (read tourists) to the park they always comment on all the beautiful trees, as well as the beauty of the beaches.
I think they compliment the park and should be left alone.
Thanks.
Fill the holes with whatever you want
but PLEASE leave the Australian pines alone!
Thank the donor and encourage them to contribute
to the ‘free’ trolley or whatever.
Bill Hahn
Holmes Beach
Keep the Australian Pines !!!!!!!
They are beautiful, provide shade for people who cannot sit in the sun, children can play under the trees and birds have a place to rest.
It is so very sad everytime I drive to the Beach on Manattee Avenue since the Pines have been removed. Now, it looks so barren, like a storm has wiped out everthing and nothing is left except some scrawny Palm tree that have been planted to replace the Pines.
These Australian Pines have been here longer than you and I.
There is nothing natve that can be planted that will grow that tall and provide as much shade and enjoyment and pleasure as the Pines.
And if there is no native plants on the causeways under the pines that the pines will be destroying, leave the Pines alone.
As far as there being a “State Law” about the Australian Pines, maybe we should petition the State to keep our “Scenic Drives” intact.
Freda S. Inda
Bradenton Beach