Rows of trees were found chopped down across the roads of downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Social media users shared images of branches slashed with a chainsaw on South Grand Avenue and adjacent areas, simply before Earth Day.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the police department has no information about the event. According to ABC 7, safety troops at two different buildings in the area said security footage showed an unidentified man on a vehicle carrying a saw.
Graphics by people showed clear cuts at the bottom or halfway up tree trunks, with some trees scarcely hanging by threads of wood. A Reddit users claimed that every trees between 1st Street and Wilshire Boulevard was affected. Photos show fallen branches at intersections including Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street, and Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue.
Many of the targeted trees reportedly appear to be Indian laurel figs ( Ficus microcarpa), known for their drought resistance and environmental benefits. Urban branches play a vital role in controlling runoff drainage, improving air quality, cooling hot areas, and supporting people health. A UCLA Luskin Center study found that shaded areas can reduce physical heat anxiety by up to 30 %.
City Council member Ysabel Jurado’s company told CBS News:” Our business is aware of the improper trees cut in DTLA and in close conversation with LAPD as they research. Bless you to the area for bringing this to our knowledge, this is exactly what co-governance in behavior looks like. “
