Community Tree Planting Planned for September 27

Swarthmore Avenue by CVS is about to become more beautiful with the planting of four new Cassia Leptophylla trees to replace the palms that were cut down after the Palisades Fire. A permit for the trees was issued by Urban Forestry.

Join Palisades Beautiful from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 27 to help plant. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/swarthmore-tree-planting-tickets-1671031122069

“We need your help planting four new trees on Swarthmore in front of the CVS parking lot!” said Palisades Beautiful’s Noah Martin. “There were palm trees cut down by the fire, and we’ll be replacing them with new trees in nearly the same location. Each tree is in a 24″ box, we’ll split into groups working on each of the four tree wells. The event will last about two hours, afterwards we’ll go over to the garden cafe for lunch.”

Gloves and shovels will be provided but bring your own if you have them. Also bring your own water. Close-toed shoes and long pants and sleeves are recommended.

“Everyone is welcome to attend, and the event is completely free!” Martin said. “We operate on donations—any contribution is appreciated and can be made through our website.

Cassia Leptophylla trees will replace the palm trees.

Estimated Costs to replace seven trees:

• Sidewalk preparation: $4.75k to cut 4 new tree wells and fill 3 old ones. Estimate from DiBara Masonry
• Permits: $460 for A-permit and sidewalk inspection. Fees may be waived by mayor’s office, but this is still being discussed.
• Stump removal: $575 per stump. The city has completed this step for us using FEMA funds!
• New 25 gal tree: $350 (delivery included)
• Tree stakes: $20 per tree (2 stakes)
• Stake ties: $5 per tree (2 ties)
• Watering bag: $15 per tree
• Mulch & soil: $20 per tree
• Shovels: $15 each We’ll plant during a community volunteering event. 20-30 people needed, 2-3 per tree. The plants can be delivered to the American Legion directly, from there they can be moved by hand up and down the street.
• Planting cost: ~$440/tree (excludes sidewalk work)
• Watering schedule: 10 gal every other day for a  month, then twice weekly for two months, then weekly for one month. Much of this is expected to be done by volunteers, using nearby water sources at the American Legion Post. For any that is not done by volunteers, costs are estimated to be $50-$100/visit. (~35 visits @ $50–$100/visit = $1,750–$3,500)

4750 + 460 + 1760 + 3000~10k total. ~50% of the costs to sidewalk preparation, 20% to planting, 30% to watering.

The original Palisades Beautiful, which was formed in the 1970s, planted more than 1,500 trees in Pacific Palisades. Starting with the Jacarandas on Northfield, it grew into a project that spanned across the Palisades. That organization shut down in the early 2020s.

The new version of Palisades Beautiful was started by Noah Martin in February 2025 because he said he was inspired by the initial group. He’s joined by new generation of Palisadians Rachel Martin, JJ Amis, Chetan Munugala and Orestis Lykouropoulos.

Martin attended Marquez, Paul Revere Middle School and graduated from Palisades High School before attending UC San Diego where he studied computer engineering. He completed his master’s degree from the University of Southern California and is working on a computer science doctorate from Tufts.