Trees: The Palisades Soap Opera Aims for Smoother Times

The Forestry Committee’s pickup was a hit in the Santa Monica 4th of July Parade with its its 12 foot tall Netleaf Oak (Quercus rugosa) and two Western Sycamores (Platanus racemosa).

The planting of a large selection of beautiful and towering trees on Palisades Streets, seems like it would be a peaceful committee to join. Instead, the Palisades Forestry Committee and the efforts to keep street trees alive has been a convoluted saga, filled with drama.

David Card, the President of the Palisades Forestry Committee, had just finished landscaping school in 2002, when he joined Palisades Beautiful. That organization, which was formed in the 1970s, planted more than 1,500 street trees in the Palisades.

When Card became affiliated with the group, the organization had become splintered about which trees should be planted. One side, represented by Barbara Marinacci, insisted that a street only have one type of tree.  A second equally vocal side was led by Micheal Terry who insisted that people be allowed to plant whatever residents wanted.

It was a standoff.

And according to Card, “L.A. Street Services said we’re not going to plant anymore trees until this dispute is settled.” And the feud went on, and on and on.

The Pacific Palisades Community Council, under then President George Wolfberg said, “Dave, head up a forestry committee,” hoping that Card could arbitrate a settlement.

In 2019, the Forestry Committee became official under PPCC.  Card was able to broker a compromise and a choice of one of two different trees per street was offered.

The city’s Urban Forestry Division of StreetsLA offered street trees for free. L.A. City Conservation Corps planted them; the only caveat was people had to promise to water them until they were established.

In addition to planting trees, the Forestry Committee tries to protect them. When people started chopping down mature trees, and people complained, it came before the Forestry Committee.

One “bad actor” cut down healthy trees in the parkway on Mt. Holyoke Bluffs, because it blocked the view of the ocean. The Forestry Committee intervened and the City stepped in. When the owner was told the tree had to be replanted, that newly planted tree mysteriously died, too.

“The City need tougher requirements for enforcement than a slap on the wrist,” Card said.

Pre-covid, the committee had sent applications for city trees for Via de la Paz, El Medio and Liverno parkways. Then the committee received news that “We can’t send you anymore free trees.”

It was then the Forestry Committee started the process to become a nonprofit, so they could receive donations to help pay for and plant trees.

They went through the IRS, applied to the state, elected officers, got a steering committee and finished the website. They now are an independent nonprofit corporation.

Then the fire hit, destroying hundreds of trees. The Forestry Committee went into action and told people not to cut trees until they could be examined by an arborist.

The committee provided tree waivers that people could fill out, asking the Army Corps of Engineers and other debris removal companies to leave the trees until they could be checked. “It was one of the first things we put on our new website,” Card said. “The waiver agreement was successful.”

Although many trees seemed dead in January, months after the fire they came back.

Also on the website, arborists were listed, who had experience with fire impacted trees, so that people could have someone assess a tree before it was chopped down. Card noted that many people kept their trees, once they were assured they were still alive.

Now, six months later, the forestry committee has a new problem. How do you keep trees watered when the irrigation they received from homes is gone?

A resident, Tracey Price of American Growers, has a water truck that is making rounds in the Palisades. A second person Valeria Serna-Rodarte of Resilient Palisades also accessed a water truck and is trying to keep the trees and medians watered.

“We need donations,” Card said. “We hoping to get back in the planting business as soon as possible.” The group applied for a FireAid Grant to replace trees but did not receive one.

“With $30 to $40 thousand, we could plant 60 trees,” Card said.

Under Resources on the Forestry website, there are numerous suggestions for residents, such as a 1) list of Fire-Resistant Trees, 2) Trees damaged by fire: What to do, what not to do; and 3) StreetsLA Urban Forestry Streamlined Rebuild Overview. click here.

The board for the coming year, in addition to Card is Vice Presidents Marilyn Wexler, Treasurer Cindy Kiven, Secretary Vicki Warren, Assistant Secretary Mary Schulz and member Nancy Niles. The steering committee includes Bill Bruns, Jenny Li, Carl Mellinger, Mark Rhomberg, Jessica Rogers, Lee Anne Sanderson, Bruce Schwartz and Serna-Rodarte.

And if you have a tree question, go to the website and contact Card, who loves to talk trees.

If your home is still standing and you need a parkway tree, contact the Forestry Committee. They’ll get the permits to plant the tree and then they’ll plant it. All you have to do is commit to watering it. “Mature trees suck in carbon and provide oxygen,” Card said, noting that nature has the perfect way to improve air.

Members of the Palisades Forestry Committee. President David Card is in the Center in blue.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT