Replacement for old Newport coral tree needs replacing after limb cracks during planting ceremony

The planting of a new coral tree at Ensign View Park in Newport Beach was expected to go without a hitch Monday morning.

A crowd chatted excitedly as the tree was being prepped to move into a circular dirt space recently vacated by a 70-year-old coral tree that the city removed last month because of its age and internal decay. Many residents of the Newport Heights neighborhood lamented the loss of the tree, which had become a place for residents to have a quiet lunch amid the grassy expanse on Cliff Drive, watch the sun set over Newport Harbor or take photos before prom.

When Chris Brigandi, the founder of Arbor Real Estate, heard that the tree was going to be removed, the firm — which has several agents who grew up in Newport Beach — offered to pay for a new coral tree for the park. The company donated $3,000 for the tree to be purchased and planted.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly Monday, but as a crane operator began lifting the new tree off a truck bed, he didn’t notice that a limb had become tangled in one of the crane’s supports. As the tree was raised, the limb cracked.

A few people began looking around, confused about what had happened. Some didn’t notice that the tree was damaged. But after a brief inspection, Brigandi confirmed that the tree would need to be replaced.

“We can’t plant a broken tree,” he said.

Still, the ceremony continued. The crane placed the tree inside the dirt space so that photos could be taken. The tree will remain there for the time being but will be replaced, with less fanfare, with another coral tree next week, city staff said. The tree will be taken back to the nursery, who will ultimately decide its fate. City arborists had reservations about planting the tree given its wound, which makes it more susceptible to disease and decay.

The old coral wasn’t the first popular tree to be lost in Newport Beach recently. Last month, 33 eucalyptus trees were cut down on Poppy Avenue in Corona del Mar after city arborists said they were in danger of falling.

However, city officials have said it is rare for the city to remove one of its 300 coral trees.

Mayor Ed Selich said the coral trees — Newport’s official tree — have been featured on the cover of Sunset magazine.

“These trees are very important to folks in the community,” he said. “You never hear people complain about having too many trees in their neighborhood.”

The city spends about $1.5 million annually caring for its 34,000 trees.