Angelenos4Trees Reports Significant Reduction in LA’s Tree Canopy

LA Scores 2 out of 109 on its Urban Forest Sustainability Practices

In 2007, the City of Los Angeles effectively defunded its Urban Forestry Division. Tree maintenance was put on hold, watering trucks were sidelined, and street trees were essentially no longer planted other than through NGOs. 

As other cities ramped up their urban forest practices --- recognizing the importance of the eco services trees provide-shade, livability, cleaning the air, sequestering carbon and absorbing storm water --- Los Angeles turned its back on trees and livability.

A 2018 USC study showed a 15-55% decline in the urban forest of different LA neighborhoods and gave the city a 2 out of potential score of 109 in urban forest sustainability practices (refer to page 25 here)

 The study’s urgent recommendations were not implemented, and currently LA’s annual per-tree budget is $27, less than half the $60 that New York City and Melbourne spend and one-third of San Franciscos $78.

If you want to advocate for action on the urban forest, contact angelenos4trees@gmail.com.