Trees seen as key to livability

SOME PEOPLE fear damaged trees could fall, but many others believe too many are being cut down too fast.

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[Trees, from B1] county pick up.

The county slowed cuttings earlier this year amid outcry that those that had been damaged by the fire but were still alive had been removed prematurely. More than 3,000 trees were initially being monitored for health and safety by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. That number has shrunk to 200.

The agency recently announced that nearly 60 additional trees would be cut down over the next several weeks, including the eucalyptus trees on Glenrose Avenue. Tree plantings are on hold amid ongoing construction in the area.

The residents in West Altadena questioned why the street wasn't lined with “No Parking” signs typically in place during tree trimmings and why they weren't notified about the work. The plan felt sneaky, they said.

Norik Sahak, a district tree specialist and arborist with L.A. public works who oversees Altadena and recently met with the residents, said the plan had been announced during an Altadena Town Council meeting and that since the area wasn't populated like it had been previously, significant signage didn't seem necessary.