Alphabet Streets Family Works to Preserve Local Tree, Neighborhood Character

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Palisadians Marisa and Jonathan Rood have recently initiated efforts to preserve a tree on Galloway Street after being informed of a neighboring home’s reported plans for demolition and development.

After speaking with developer Shai Levy, Marisa said the city’s Urban Forestry Division will determine the tree’s fate, as they are responsible for inspecting it.

Levy explained the sidewalk needs repairs, and the tree’s roots may be trimmed or cut, which can cause balancing and stability issues, and ultimately, the tree to fall.

“The tree is indicative of a larger issue, which is that we’re seeing a change here in the Palisades,” Marisa said to the Palisadian-Post. “Developers are coming in and building homes, which in and of itself is fine … but developing homes shouldn’t come at a detriment to the environment or to the aesthetic of the Palisades—particularly the Alphabet Streets, where street trees have long played a role in its charm, its charm being the reason many people move here in the first place.”

The history of trees in Pacific Palisades dates back to 1974 when Palisades Beautiful was founded to beautify the community by gathering to plant parkway trees along the town’s residential streets, according to a 2010 article in the Post.

“Most Pacific Palisades residents have noticed that the street where they live is adorned and shaded primarily by one particular type of tree … so when you gaze up and down a row of specially chosen trees lined up along most Palisades streets, you’ll notice that tree homogeneity pleases and soothes the eye,” according to the article. “Before this, the town’s population of street trees was much smaller than now and mostly helter-skelter. One of our town’s greatest claims to environmental glory is its handsome collection of street trees, many now in their prime.”

The Roods shared that they value this history and decided to be proactive, reaching out to their Galloway neighbors for help to save the tree.

“Team Galloway is fighting very hard to protect the tree and preserve the beauty of our street and the canopy the trees provide,” the Roods told neighbors.

The Roods blasted an email to friends, family and neighbors asking for them to help by sending an email to deputies who work with the Urban Forestry Division to request that they not issue a permit for the tree’s removal.

“Our neighborhood was designed with a different tree in mind for each street, and to remove the tree as part of the development of a new home on its lot would come at a detriment to the charm and aesthetic of our neighborhood, and also to the environment,” according to the email. “Street trees have long played a role in the beauty of the Palisades, and we hope you help preserve that.”

As the Post went to print, Marisa said nobody has received a response yet. With forthcoming plans of the home’s demolition, Marisa said neighbors are waiting to see what happens.