Trimmers cut the green canopy off this tree in the 100 block of North La Brea Avenue, with branches blocking pedestrians from using the sidewalk. (photo by Karen Villalpando)
The city of Los Angeles is highlighting the importance of properly trimming trees in the wake of ficus trees being illegally trimmed along Barham Boulevard in mid-July outside Universal Studios.
StreetsLA, also known as the Bureau of Street Services, issued a $250 citation last week to NBCUniversal, parent company of Universal Studios, for allegedly trimming the trees without a permit. Members of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA claimed the tree trimming was an intentional act committed against picketing union members to leave them without shade along the sidewalk during high temperatures. NBCUniversal claimed the tree trimming, which occurred on the weekend of July 15-16, was pre-planned regularly-scheduled maintenance. The company later provided tents for the picketers.
“The city of Los Angeles Urban Forestry Division, which is part of the Bureau of Street Services and oversees permits for tree trimming in the city, did not issue any tree trimming permits for 3801 Barham Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90068,” read a statement from the Los Angeles Urban Forestry Division. “StreetsLA will issue a notice to comply to the property owner at 3801 Barham Blvd. This is standard practice for when work occurs in the public right-of-way without permission. UFD will also coordinate with StreetsLA’s Investigation and Enforcement Division to confirm if this case warrants the issuance of an administrative citation or an administrative hearing.”
The trees that were trimmed are located along Barham Boulevard near Forest Lawn Drive in the 4th Council District, represented by Councilwoman Nithya Raman.
“After looking into the matter with the Urban Forestry Division, we found that no permit was issued for any tree trimming at this site,” Raman said. “We stand firmly in support of the workers and their right to strike and do not believe any action should be taken to impede that right.”
The city of Los Angeles allows private property owners to prune or remove trees on the public right of way under certain circumstances, such as the trees are diseased, are damaging sidewalks or are impeding a pending development, but it requires a permit issued by the Urban Forestry Division, according to the Urban Forestry Division’s website.
Ficus trees on La Brea Avenue were also cut last Thursday during the current heat wave. Traffic in the bus-only lane was blocked at 4 p.m. on the busy thoroughfare. Tree trimmers cut all the green canopy off a tree in the 100 block of La Brea Avenue, with branches preventing pedestrians from using the sidewalk. The city did not provide any further details about the incident by press time.
StreetsLA encourages property owners to plant and properly maintain trees because shade lowers temperatures and trees produce oxygen, help reduce pollutants in the air and improve communities.
For information on tree services including tree removal, pruning, stump removal, permits and sidewalk concerns, contact the Bureau of Street Services at (800)996-2489. Information is also available at streetsla.lacity.org/urban-forestry-division.
beverlypress.com
https://beverlypress.com/2023/07/tree-trimming-scrutinized-in-height-of-summer-heat/
