The city of Whittier is now facing a lawsuit related to a controversial plan to chop down more than 100 trees, including scores of historic ficus trees.
The Greenleaf Promenade plan, which would remove 83 six-decade-old ficus trees from Uptown Whittier, has drawn consternation from Whittier residents and others who enjoy the shade, aesthetic value and additional benefits the trees provide.
Now, the project is the target of a lawsuit from the Whittier Conservancy, which argues the city did not conduct an environmental review, “including its potential effects on greenhouse gas capture and available shade,” the Los Angeles Times notes.
A Sky5 aerial view of the ficus trees in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
A Sky5 aerial view of the ficus trees in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
A Sky5 aerial view of the ficus trees in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
Large ficus trees line Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
Large ficus trees line Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
Ficus trees line Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
A rendering of the new “Greenleaf Promenade” which will feature smaller trees and improved pedstrian features and greenspace. (City of Whittier) 
A rendering of the new “Greenleaf Promenade” which will feature smaller trees and improved pedstrian features. (City of Whittier) 
Ficus trees line Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier, a district filled with mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. (KTLA) 
Large ficus trees line Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier. (KTLA) 
Ficus trees line Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier, a district filled with mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. (KTLA) 
A rendering of the new “Greenleaf Promenade” which will feature smaller trees and improved pedstrian features and greenspace. (City of Whittier)
City officials, however, have pointed out that the “invasive” trees are destroying the area’s infrastructure, including damaging sidewalks and clogging sewer lines.
“If we’re going to do any improvements up here at all, we have to do something about the tree roots, which means we have to do something about the trees,” explained Mayor Pro Tempore Cathy Warner earlier this year.
City officials did not immediately return KTLA’s request for comment, but this story will be updated with their response.
