By Mary O’KEEFE

The Los Angeles County Dept. of Parks and Recreation removed seven silver maple trees from the parking lot area near the entrance of Two Strike Park as well as one sawleaf Zelkova tree from inside the park.

“Seven of the silver maple trees were dead. The sawleaf Zelkova was in severe decline,” said Terry Kanakri, Parks and Rec. spokesperson. “Due to the recent prolonged drought and insect infestation, both species displayed wood rot in the trunk and branch structures. The trees that were removed posed a safety hazard to the public from the potential of falling limbs. The removed trees were 50 to 60 years old.”

Currently there are no plans to plant new trees to replace those that were cut down; however, Parks and Rec has not ruled out the possibility for future plantings when funds become available.

Kanakri stated that trees were also removed from Crescenta Valley Park.

“Six oak trees identified as hazardous due to deterioration were removed from [the park] on June 26,” Kanakri said. “An additional 17 trees are scheduled for removal at a later date.”

The trees were only recently identified as dead or dying and had been marked for removal. Kanakri added once the trees were identified as a danger to the public they acted quickly to ensure the safety of park visitors.

 “To keep our valued park patrons fully informed, the department will issue public notifications when the removal of five park trees or more are necessary,” Kanakri added.

The notices will be in the form of signage posted at the affected parks. 

  Mary Okeefe