It was a city-planted tree on city property within Alameda County, CA; it wasn't "historical," a special landmark or "endangered" species.

Yes, his family paid for the tree. He wasn't on life-support or in a coma. He died at the scene of the accident. The city didn't waste any time in billing his family. The city knew he died. I don't think the city much cared; it wanted compensation for the tree.