The branches of one Hull Avenue California black walnut have extended onto a neighboring roof. Neither the owner nor the neighbors can afford to have it trimmed, and because the tree is located on private property, the city's arborist, Ralph Mize, can't trim it unless the branches encroach into the public right of way.

Because the tree is on the city's Heritage Tree List, the neighborhood association will try to raise the necessary funds to trim the tree—an estimated $1,000. Because of the unpredictable way the branches grow they need to be carefully trimmed by a specialist.

Juanita Rosales has lived in her Hull Avenue home for more than 30 years and shares her land with the immense California black walnut tree whose far branches cover her neighbor's chimney.

With its 48-inch trunk and sprawling branches, it most likely predates her house and maybe even the neighborhood. Its longevity is the reason the tree was placed on the city's Heritage Tree List.

Rosales' neighbor Mary Ann Bishop was able to pay to have the tree trimmed a few years ago, but the branches have grown back and her finances are tight, as are Rosales'.

As far as Mize knows, there aren't any grants that residents can request for tree trimming. This is also the first time he's encountered a neighborhood association that cared enough about a tree to raise money for it.

When word reached members of the neighborhood association that the heritage tree needed trimming but the property owners couldn't afford it, the association began brainstorming ideas about how to raise the funds.

One member suggested a booth at Founders' Day in September.

"The tree is an important part of the history of the neighborhood," said North Willow Glen Association President Alison England at the association's April meeting.

"It's a magnificent tree," Mize told the Willow Glen Resident, "and it really commands the street."

He attributes the tree's beauty to its genetic makeup. The California black walnut, Juglans hindsii, is a native Californian species most commonly found in the central part of the state. The species can grow as high as 60 feet, with a canopy spread of up to 50 feet. The tree's branches, however, can grow erratically and need careful pruning.

The Hull Avenue California black walnut is one of at least 10 trees in Willow Glen on the Heritage Tree List, which as of June 2000 has 114 entries of single trees or clusters of trees throughout San Jose.

The Hull Avenue tree was added to the city's Heritage Tree List in August 1985, but it's been a joy to Rosales and her family for as long as she can remember.

"My children used to climb the tree all the time," said Rosales, whose grandchildren now climb it. "I always have to yell at them to get down because they climb so high."

Bishop remembers the times when the family pet took advantage of the tree's long branches.

"When I first moved into my house I had a cat who would lie on the roof all day," Bishop said. "And when I'd call him he'd leap onto the branches and climb down."

Bishop also recalls that when the tree was added to the Heritage Tree List a plaque was supposed to be dedicated but that hasn't happened. Normally, Mize said, heritage trees have small aluminum placards nailed to their trunks designating them as historic trees and stating that they aren't to be removed.

As cherished as the tree is, it has also caused problems, with its roots entangling the underground plumbing, Bishop said.

"It's a beautiful tree, but ever since they put in Highway 87, the tree hasn't been getting enough water," she said. "I even lost two trees in my backyard from dehydration, and I'm afraid the same thing is going to happen to Juanita's tree."

Bishop suspects that the highway is obstructing the path of the nearby Guadalupe River.

And like many in the neighborhood she is concerned about the tree's continued health.

"I love trees," Bishop said, "but I wish the city could take better care of them."

For more information about the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, or to donate to the tree trimming, call 408.537.0393 or visit http://www.northwillowglen.org.