Laguna Beach's Forest Avenue Loses Decades-Old Eucalyptus Trees

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — While walking down Forest Avenue in Laguna Beach, residents for decades have enjoyed the plentiful shade provided by the sprawling branches of the mature eucalyptus trees that lined the idyllic downtown area.

On Monday night, nine trees were cut down in one block where a new pedestrian promenade is being built.

City leaders say the removal was needed for safety reasons.

According to past reports, a eucalyptus in the same area fell in March. The fallen tree resulted in city officials investigating the viability of the surrounding trees in the area.

Laguna Beach officials called an emergency Zoom meeting on Monday to share results of tests on the trees.

Hours later, the demolition began.

However, community members expressed feeling blindsided by the sudden deforestation of Forest Avenue.

"The recent tree removal on Forest Avenue was overly aggressive and, frankly, heartbreaking. Those mature trees are part of what makes Laguna so special—they can’t simply be replaced with new plantings and expected to feel the same," resident Kristyn Lawson wrote on Facebook. "I hope future decisions reflect a more thoughtful balance between progress and preservation both..."

"I'll miss the canopy of 100-year-old trees," Laguna Beach resident Heidi Miller commented on Facebook.

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