Trees to Be Removed for Street-Widening Project
The Los Angeles Department of Public Works approved a plan Monday to chop down 38 leppo pines along Zelzah Avenue in order to widen the street.
The 40-foot-tall trees, located on the west side of Zelzah just south of Devonshire Street, will be removed by the city at a date yet to be announced.
A spokesman for Councilman Hal Bernson, who represents the area, said the L.A. Department of Transportation insisted that the street be widened to accommodate an increase in traffic the last few years.
“Councilman Bernson was not enthusiastic about cutting the trees, but they will be replaced by even more trees,” said Ali Sar.
The city will plant 58 brisbane and 32 canary pines in the surrounding area, Sar said.
One environmentalist group that fought the tree removal called the move a slap in the face to the preservation efforts of residents.
“Even if they plant mature trees, for them to reach the point where these trees are now will take 20 years,” said Alex Man, spokesman for the Federation for the Organization and Conservation of Urban Space.
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