Menlo Park Logo
Jul 22, 2025
Email
All Emails

Removal of a Camphor tree in front of 743 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park

Hello -

A city tree was cut down in front of my home last week. A camphor tree.
After the cutting we experienced some strong odors that wouldnt quite
dissipate. For a number of days I was having issues with breathing and
headaches and my dog has been very unwell, vomiting overnight. Today I had
to take him to the emergency room. While I was there the crew came and
ground the stump, leaving the saw dust and bark in front of the house by
the street. The odor in the air and inside my house was so strong that I
couldnt breathe even inside the house upon returning home. I finally
looked up this tree only to realize that it is highly toxic, to people and
*especially* dogs. As my dog and I were both already experiencing symptoms
of this toxicity, I realized I had to evacuate my home immediately and
check into a hotel in order to keep us safe.

Camphor tree toxins can stay in the air for months if not handled properly
and breathing it in is absolutely dangerous. Can you please explain to me
*how* you cut and grind this tree and leave it behind and expose families
to health hazards without not even a health safety notification? This is
beyond negligence, this is sheer recklessness - to say the least.

Please arrange for the remains of the grinded stump to be removed
*immediately* in a manner appropriate to toxic and hazardous material, as
this is a danger to me and my family, as well as my neighbors and
potentially even people walking their pets by the property. Contact me at
650-529-5224 when you get this message so that I can be informed as to the
timeline so that we are able to return to our home ASAP.

Thank you.
Ivana