Jose Manco walks with his chocolate Lab Gracie past the original coral tree from which cuttings were taken to grow the many other coral trees in Brentwood, which activists wage a constant battle to maintain. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
A coral tree that appears to be sick or dead in the median along San Vicente Boulevard near Burlingame Avenue in Brentwood. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
A coral tree that fell over lies in the median along San Vicente Boulevard near Burlingame Avenue in Brentwood. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
A ribbon placed around a coral tree by students and a poster both call attention to the problem of the trees’ deterioration. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)