Rows of trees were found chopped down across the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Social media users shared photos of trees slashed with a chainsaw on South Grand Avenue and nearby areas, just before Earth Day.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the police department has no details about the incident. According to ABC 7, security guards at two different buildings in the area said surveillance footage showed an unidentified person on a bicycle carrying a chainsaw.
Images by users showed clean cuts at the base or midway up tree trunks, with some trees barely hanging by threads of bark. A Reddit user claimed that every tree between 1st Street and Wilshire Boulevard was affected. Photos show fallen trees 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 trees play a critical role in controlling stormwater runoff, improving air quality, cooling overheated areas, and supporting public health. A UCLA Luskin Center study found that shaded areas can reduce bodily heat stress by up to 30%.
City Council member Ysabel Jurado's office told CBS News: "Our office is aware of the illegal tree cutting in DTLA and in close communication with LAPD as they investigate. Thank you to the community for bringing this to our awareness, this is exactly what co-governance in action looks like."
The Los Angeles Times reported that the police department has no details about the incident. According to ABC 7, security guards at two different buildings in the area said surveillance footage showed an unidentified person on a bicycle carrying a chainsaw.
Images by users showed clean cuts at the base or midway up tree trunks, with some trees barely hanging by threads of bark. A Reddit user claimed that every tree between 1st Street and Wilshire Boulevard was affected. Photos show fallen trees at intersections including Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street, and Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue.
Someone used a CHAINSAW to cut down trees in downtown LA, California. pic.twitter.com/G6mtyWNowt
— Dutch1777 (@dutch1777real) April 21, 2025
Many of the targeted trees reportedly appear to be Indian laurel figs (Ficus microcarpa), known for their drought resistance and environmental benefits. Urban trees play a critical role in controlling stormwater runoff, improving air quality, cooling overheated areas, and supporting public health. A UCLA Luskin Center study found that shaded areas can reduce bodily heat stress by up to 30%.
City Council member Ysabel Jurado's office told CBS News: "Our office is aware of the illegal tree cutting in DTLA and in close communication with LAPD as they investigate. Thank you to the community for bringing this to our awareness, this is exactly what co-governance in action looks like."
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