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Justin Vineyards’ oaks removal leaves SLO County with damaged goods

North County residents are concerned about a massive removal of oak trees making way for a vineyard. A stop work order has been issued by the county to Estate Vineyards LLC. The property is north of Highway 46 West.
North County residents are concerned about a massive removal of oak trees making way for a vineyard. A stop work order has been issued by the county to Estate Vineyards LLC. The property is north of Highway 46 West. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

Justin Vineyards removed 15,000 oak trees in 2011.

Thousands more mature oaks are removed in 2016.

Justin President David Ricanati said he would find a nonprofit partner to take over the recently damaged acres, with 5,000 newly planted trees.

Sounds like telling a child, “Sorry I broke your toy, but I put some duct tape on it. Looks just like new.”

Don’t leave us with your mistake! Be more wonderful and donate acreage to a conservancy with mature oak trees for us to enjoy instead of leaving us with your damaged goods.

Scott Smith-Cooke, San Luis Obispo

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 8:52 PM with the headline "Justin Vineyards’ oaks removal leaves SLO County with damaged goods."

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