Wildfires have intensified challenges for urban tree advocates in Los Angeles, who are already facing drought, improper trimming, and neighborhood opposition. The fires have caused extensive tree damage, particularly in historically underserved areas with limited tree cover.
Tree advocates are facing a multitude of challenges, including increasing drought, improper trimming, and opposition from neighbors who dislike leaves and sap. Now, they are grappling with the impact of this month's devastating wildfires. City arborists have shared alarming photographs depicting large trees toppling onto homes and parkways due to the forceful Santa Ana winds that fueled the uncontrolled blazes. Other images reveal scorched tree canopies.
\The powerful winds caused significant damage to trees in South Los Angeles, Watts, and Inglewood, historically underserved areas with limited shade and TreePeople's primary focus areas. The air quality remains hazardous, preventing field crews from working safely. When conditions improve, experts anticipate finding snapped, broken, or dried-out young trees.\Replanting trees in fire-ravaged neighborhoods presents additional difficulties due to climate change. While many of the city's mature trees are 30 to 40 years old, they were established during periods with milder temperatures and less drastic wet-dry cycles. Some experts view this tree loss as an opportunity to educate Los Angeles residents about the local ecosystem and promote planting species well-suited to the region.\They advocate replacing non-native species like palm trees, which are more closely related to grasses, with trees that offer shade and can withstand extreme heat and drought. Coast live oaks are considered a suitable option, according to Aaron Thomas, director of urban forestry at North East Trees. Native to the region, these trees are fire-resistant, even requiring fire to reproduce.Thomas, who grew up in Altadena, witnessed firsthand the resilience of coast live oaks when his brother's home burned in the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, while five coast live oaks in his backyard survived. This experience reinforces his belief in the importance of incorporating native flora into urban reforestation.\However, planting trees with climate-resilient features, such as expansive canopies, can pose challenges. Cities must consider community input when selecting tree species. Trees providing ample shade may obstruct drivers' visibility, and space limitations in densely populated areas sometimes preclude planting. Berleson emphasizes the extended timeframe required for neighborhoods to recover their pre-fire appearance. He acknowledges the multifaceted factors contributing to this situation, including climate change, water restrictions, and extreme weather events. In response, urban forestry experts are committed to rebuilding and managing urban forests in a manner that enhances resilience to these extreme weather events
WILDFIRE TREES CLIMATE CHANGE URBAN FORESTRY LOS ANGELES
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