Iconic trees along Santa Monica street in 'dire straits' and are set to be removed

A row of trees considered by many in Santa Monica to be iconic may soon no longer exist.  

The coral trees that line the median of San Vicente Boulevard in the North of Montana neighborhood were subject to a report commissioned by the city of Santa Monica on the trees’ health. It followed the North of Montana Association’s (NOMA) appeal to the city to not get rid of the trees, which were part of a previous removal notice.  

According to the neighborhood association, the report, which was carried out by an independent consulting arborist, is “a tough read” because it states that 12 of the 13 trees examined are “in dire straits.” 

The neighborhood association was also given a statement from city officials which indicates that one of the inspected trees “suffered a complete failure” on the Fourth of July. 

“In light of this recent failure and the explicit safety findings in the arborist’s report, the City must move forward with removing the remaining 12 trees detailed in the report, alongside four smaller trees that were part of the original assessment,” the city’s statement to the neighborhood association reads. “We anticipate this work will take place over the next few weeks to ensure public safety along the corridor.” 

City officials noted that it is important for local residents to realize that “this challenge is not unique to San Vicente Boulevard,” as coral trees throughout Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles region are “currently experiencing a widespread severe decline showing these exact symptoms.” 

This trend is being noticed in trees that lie on both public and private property. 

According to a worker with the city of Santa Monica who spoke with KTLA on Wednesday, the number of trees impacted is closer to 30 and that a number of factors, including lack of water and disease, have contributed to the trees dying off.

He noted that people who drive on the median damage the irrigation valves and landscaping around the trees.

“We lost a few big trees from not getting enough water and disease…they’re vulnerable,” the worker, Jerman Reyes, told KTLA’s Kareen Wynter.

A nearby resident, meanwhile, said that the trees haven’t been maintained like they have in the past.

“They haven’t been tending to the trees like they have in the past,” the resident, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said. “Traditionally, I would see them giving them lots of water, which I haven’t seen. They are also not providing nutrients to the trees in terms of fertilizers and there’s a lot of dry rot going on that they’re not tending to.”

“I’ve never seen [the trees] neglected like this,” she added.

In light of the removal of the trees, ones that Santa Monica officials admitted are “deeply valued” and “iconic,” representatives from multiple departments – including Urban Forestry, Public Landscape, Architecture and Water Resources – will be attending the North of Montana Association meeting on Aug. 6. 

“We look forward to discussing the history, immediate safety needs, ongoing management efforts (including irrigation), and long-term replanting vision for this beautiful corridor,” the city said. 

NOMA members are encouraged to attend; to make the most of their time, city officials recommend sending questions in advance to [email protected]. Responses will be provided at the meeting.  

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