A large coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) tree in front of the Civic Center on Laurel Street was recently removed. The tree had a common disorder known as redwood canker, caused by the Botryospaeria pathogen. The coastal fog belt, which the coast redwood is endemic to, is an environment characterized by moderate summer temperatures and reliable fog, ample rainfall and well drained soils. Menlo Park is on the outside edge of the coastal fog belt where summer temperatures are high and soils tend to be predominantly poorly drained. The severity of the drought and growing outside the fog belt can lead to a higher occurrence of redwood canker in the city’s canopy. The tree at the Civic Center was replaced by three drought tolerant specimens. Instead of removing the stump, it was transformed into a piece of artwork by chain saw artist John Mahoney, who carved the city logo into it. Mr. Mahoney’s work can also be seen in a popular carving created last fall in Fremont Park. A time-lapse video of the redwood carving can be viewed here: