One of the Lower Haight’s hardworking tree guards got some maintenance last week, and more help is on the way to the weather-beaten metal protectors guarding some of the neighborhood's trees.
The iron tree guard had suffered heavy damage after nearly eight years outside of Memphis Minnie's at 576 Haight St., which is why the BBQ joint teamed up with the Lower Haight Merchant and Neighbors Association for the repairs. The tree guard was repaired by local metal artist Jeff Burwell.
The Lower Haight's tree guards were originally installed in 2007. Vallie Brown, the Lower Haight community activist that we profiled last year, was leading the Lower Haight Neighborhood Association (LoHaMNA) at the time, and helped raise grant money to plant trees along the 300, 400, and 500 blocks of Haight Street. However, there was a concern that on the Lower Haight’s main commercial corridor (the 400 and 500 blocks), the trees would be shredded by the heavy traffic.
Those concerns proved to be well-founded. Brown, now a legislative aide to Supervisor London Breed, told Hoodline via email: “Many trees would not be alive today if it wasn’t for the tree guards… The bent and beat up tree guards are evidence of trucks backing into them and other abuse.” On top of that, they’re made of iron, and are basically melting away over time. Hence the need for some upkeep.
If you’re wondering about the artwork featured on the grates, Vallie Brown has the story:
"We ... hired a design company that had experience installing public art to design the tree guards. We also wanted the neighborhood children involved, we held art workshops at John Muir [Elementary School] and with the children at Hayes Valley [South] & [North]. The laser cut outs on the tree guards are from the children’s artwork."
LoHaMNA hopes to partner with more local businesses for the maintenance of the tree guards going forward, according to Stephanie Perez, a board member. “LOHAMNA wants to assist the businesses in maintenance by seeking grant money to fund repair or replacement, but we would like business support through their regular clearing of trash and assessment of the condition of the grates.”
