12 | OHCC LIVING | JULY 2025 |
e More You Know
More than 2500 trees in OHCC are held in high regard because
they contribute to the health and beauty of our environment. Their
health contribution is that they change carbon dioxide into clean
oxygen, as all plants do; their beauty is obvious. Their canopy
also shades objects from solar rays which can lower their surface
temperature by up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Even without the sun,
rainwater evaporation from trees can reduce temperatures by up to
nine degrees Fahrenheit.
It is important that our HOA and residents know that we protect
trees to the extent that there is an updated Tree Policy. The purpose
of this update was due to the frequency (not as frequent as in the
past five years) of work order requests to remove a tree. The current
policy can be found on the OHCC webpage - https://associationvoice.
com/page/27715~1009729/landscape
Trees are distinctive, however, and as recently noted (in the
March OHCC Living article) Acacia trees and Acacia shrubs are
highly f lammable despite their beauty, some with alluring yellow/
orange f lowers. It turns out that they have a very high oil content,
even when dead. Interestingly, Acacias are quite popular outside of
the buffer zones of our community. Accordingly, we have sought
permission to remove healthy shrubs and those with root balls from
the buffer zones, which are considered defensible space and key as
fire-resistant landscaping. The buffer zone, which surrounds most
of our community, protects us in case the land beyond our borders,
which is part of Carlsbad Preserve, should catch fire.
HOAs will continue to receive increased attention to maintaining
buffer zones by 2030 in relation to law for turf rebates of turf
removal. It was interesting to note at a recent landscape law
workshop that Ocean Hills was well on its way in 2025 for scoping
out these areas. Let family and friends know what OHCC is doing
about Acacia trees and shrubs and buffer ones. By Peggy Goodman
and Alma S. Smith
Landscape Committee
