Los Angeles’ fragile city canopy suffered a dangerous blow this weekend, according to media posts and photos uploaded to Reddit and Instagram.
The Los Angeles Police Department told The Times they have no information about tree damage
Social media images show many trees cut off at the base, while others cut a few feet above the sidewalk. Only one bark or wood line will connect some of the cut trees to their trunks.
According to Reddit user Tiptapmywipwap, every tree between First Street and Wilshire Avenue has been cut down. However, comments on the photos show that there are still some standing.
Instagram photos show the intersection of Olympic Avenue and Hope Street, Olympic Avenue and Figueroa Street, as well as Broadway and Cesar Chavez Street.
The trees lie on the street on Friday night after being cut down in downtown.
(Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times)
Many trees appear to be a drought-resistant species called Indian laurel figs, or FICUS Microcarpa.
Trees offer countless benefits to urban areas. They capture stormwater runoff, replenish groundwater and slow down street deterioration. They also clean the air and help cool areas that are increasingly hotter due to global climate change and the built environment. A study by the UCLA Luskin Center found that shadows can reduce heat stress in the body from 25% to 30% throughout the day.
Social media users condemned the culprit, with some pointing out that the cuts were made before Earth Day.
User @janky-ciborium-138 said: “Well, most people are on the day of Earth Day celebrations, and ecoterrorism seems very intentional.”
Others wonder if this is a grand plot for urban planners who want the trees to fall but don’t want to pass the traditional tape festival of the city bureaucracy.
@reffect_collar4336 said: “Someone needs to remove these trees – some city employees or private developers – think it’s much easier than getting a real license.”
The trees lie on the street on Friday night after being cut down in downtown.
(Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times)
Many point out that security cameras are everywhere, so video evidence should be available for review by researchers.
