A mature redwood tree nicknamed “Rosie” has cracked and heaved a Santa Rosa sidewalk for years, and the city has now permitted its removal so the concrete can be repaired. But neighbors in the McDonald district have rallied to save the roughly 70-foot tree, gathering over 100 signatures and raising more than $6,000 to fund a formal appeal. City officials say the tree’s vigorous root system makes any sidewalk workaround, like a curb bulb-out, unlikely to hold up long-term, and they can’t leave the new property owners liable for a broken sidewalk. The case highlights a broader California dilemma: what happens when beloved, iconic trees planted generations ago outgrow the urban infrastructure around them. The tree can’t be cut down while the appeal is active, and the city’s planning commission will weigh in in the coming months.
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