LA Tree Advocates Hope Their Vital Work Recovers from Devastating Wildfires
Tree Canopy Damaged by Wildfires
Some people across Los Angeles have worked for years to increase the number of trees that give respite from heat and air pollution. The tree advocates have confronted increasing drought, bad trimming, and objections from neighbors who resent leaves and sap. Now they wonder what this month’s devastating fires have done to their efforts.
The Devastating Impact on Trees
City arborists have “sobering” photographs of large trees knocked onto homes and parkways from the same powerful winds that sent fires out of control, said Bryan Vejar, associate director of community forestry for TreePeople, an environmental nonprofit that works to plant and care for trees across Los Angeles. Other images show scorched canopies, he said.
Firefighters put out a fire burning inside a tree after the Eaton Fire burned through the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson Observatory north of Pasadena, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Recovering from the Devastation
When it’s safe, urban tree experts will go out to inspect, re-stake, and retie trees toppled by winds, and remove and replace those that were lost. Replanting trees in burned neighborhoods is harder because of climate change, said Will Berleson, a professor at USC’s Department of Earth Sciences and researcher with the university’s Urban Trees Initiative.
Even though many of the city’s mature trees might be 30 or 40 years old, they “started growing at times when it was not as hot and didn’t have these kinds of wet and dry fluctuations that we seem to be seeing now,” he said.
Opportunities for Change
Some experts see tree loss as an opportunity to teach Los Angeles residents about where they live and which plants are the best fit and that’s not necessarily the iconic ones from Hollywood movies. They would like to replace non-native species like palms – which are more closely related to grasses – with trees that provide shade and can withstand extreme heat and drought.
Trees such as the coast live oak are a good option, said Aaron Thomas, director of urban forestry at the environmental nonprofit North East Trees. They are native to the region and are fire resilient – in fact, they need to burn to reproduce, he said.
Conclusion
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have left a lasting impact on the city’s tree canopy. While the damage is significant, it’s an opportunity for the city to rebuild and refocus on planting trees that are resilient to the changing climate. By doing so, the city can create a more sustainable and healthy urban forest.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of the city’s tree canopy?
A: The city’s tree canopy has been damaged by the recent wildfires, with many trees knocked down and scorched canopies.
Q: What is being done to recover from the devastation?
A: When it’s safe, urban tree experts will go out to inspect, re-stake, and retie trees toppled by winds, and remove and replace those that were lost. Replanting trees in burned neighborhoods is harder because of climate change.
Q: What is the impact of climate change on the city’s trees?
A: Climate change is affecting the city’s trees, with more frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather events. This makes it harder for trees to grow and thrive.
Q: What is being done to adapt to the changing climate?
A: The city is working to plant trees that are resilient to the changing climate, such as the coast live oak, which is native to the region and is fire resilient.
