Ruffin Canyon Trail Temporarily Closed
San Diego Canyonlands is removing invasive Mexican fan palms (Washingtonia robusta) to reduce the fire risk in Serra Mesa and to improve native habitat in Ruffin Canyon.
For your safety, please do not enter the canyon on the dates below:
- Limited canyon access during working hours due to tree felling: Nov. 29, 30; Dec. 1st-2nd, 5th-9th, 12th-16th
- No canyon access during working hours due to helicopter removal of palm trees: Dec. 19-23
Please email [email protected] for more information.
Letter from the City of San Diego PDF:
Notice of Palm Tree Removal in Ruffin Canyon
San Diego Canyonlands, in partnership with the City of San Diego and the San Diego River Conservancy, is restoring the native habitat of Ruffin Canyon in Serra Mesa. We are excited to share that we will be removing these invasive palm trees to restore the habitat and make the Serra Mesa community more fire safe.
- Palm trees are invasive to Ruffin Canyon and are stealing resources such as water and nutrients from native plants and animals.
- Palm trees pose a major fire risk as their dry palm fronds can catch fire easily and spread quickly.
- We will be felling the palm trees and lifting the cut palm trees out of the canyon via helicopter.
- Why helicopter?
- Lifting the palm trees via helicopter is the most efficient way of removing palm trees in a safe and timely manner.
- We can avoid building a road into the canyon that would cause further destruction.
- Helicopters will not fly over homes, structures, or streets while carrying palm trees.
- Our Restoration Teams are actively restoring the habitat in the canyons and will replace the palm trees with native trees such as willow, cottonwood, and sycamore.
All Ruffin Canyon trails will be temporarily closed during working hours for palm tree felling and removal operations. For your safety, please do not enter the canyon on the dates below.
- Limited canyon access during working hours due to tree felling: Dec. 1st-2nd, 5th-9th, 12th-16th
- No canyon access due to helicopter removal of palm trees: Dec. 19-23
Clayton Tschudy
Executive Director
San Diego Canyonlands
619-546-7707
[email protected]