City Cuts Down Trees Despite Resident’s Plea

The city has cut down three large carob trees lining a small cul-de-sac off Lankershim Boulevard despite the efforts of a North Hollywood resident to have them declared cultural landmarks.

In December the Department of Public Works voted to replace the 50-foot trees--which it deemed diseased and too big for the sidewalk--with saplings. Department spokesman Chuck Ellis said the decision was “based on science.”

Randy Cox, who lives two houses down from the trees, had fought the city for months. He says flora in the area just west of Toluca Lake and a short walk from Universal City has been under attack.

Cox had the trees examined by a commercial tree company, which said extensive treatment could save them. He also had applied for landmark status with the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission, which might have been able to stay the trees’ execution while evaluating the application.

“Then I came home the other night and they were gone,” Cox said. Alluding to commercial property developments that claimed other trees on the block, he added: “The saddest part of this whole thing is that I could have saved the whole street.”

Although the city has assured Cox saplings will be planted promptly, he says that isn’t enough.

“I’ve had enough,” he said. “Universal, right over there, is planning a huge expansion. But what are they going to do with those sacred oaks? Transplant them, or just mow them down?”