Numerous patrons, particularly those with shade-loving dogs who accompany them on errands, were upset to discover several venerable old pine trees felled and others marked with X for destruction at the Mesa Shopping Center parking lot on 7/10. The pines are being replaced, primarily with palms, as part of a $3 million Spanish-style renovation of the 1950s strip mall, according to Marilyn Leafdale of Investec property management company. Merchants prefer palms because they do not block store signage. Landscape architect Bob Cunningham’s Arcadia Studios, which also did the redesign for much of downtown State Street, is also doing the shopping center.