MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) - Four redwood trees are threatening one of California's oldest churches, but the city's urban forester is against cutting them all down.
The tree roots have made their way through the chapel foundation of San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey, believed to be the oldest continuously functioning church in California, completed in 1794.
Church officials have asked the city for a permit to cut them down to preserve the landmark of California's Spanish colonial era, but the city's urban forester recommends that at least two of the four redwoods remain.
"You have the classic conflict," said Robert G. Reid, the forester.
It's a historic building versus "rightfully magnificent native redwood trees that also have some serious standing in the community," said Reid.
The petite stone structure is variously heralded as California's first cathedral, the smallest cathedral in the continental United States and the first structure in California designed by a known architect. It is home to one of the state's first non-indigenous sculptures, a stone carving of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas.
The redwoods were planted in the 1950s along the east side of the structure. Today their roots snake out through the foundation and to the west side of the building.
Ruben Mendoza, director of Cal State Monterey Bay's Institute for Archaeological Science, Technology and Visualization, says a choice must be made.
"You save the building or you save the trees," he said. "You can't save both."
The application for a permit to cut them down was presented to Reid, the forester, shortly after Thanksgiving. Reid recommended that only the two redwoods closest to the building be cut down.
If the church appeals, the matter would probably go before the city's architectural review committee and eventually the City Council.
© 2006 AP Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
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