THANK YOU DOWNTOWN! Tree Planting Day was a success with more than 30 trees & 65 volunteers

The Sustainability Committee in partnership with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and Million Trees LA planted 31 trees on Saturday, October 24 along South Alameda. This is Phase I of our Skid Row Tree Planting Project and thank you to the many community volunteers and partners who made this great event happen! Check out some of our pictures from the event.

Thank you to Daryl Rolen, Evelyn Martinez, David Estrada, Rocio Diaz, Jonathan Diaz, James W. Stewart, Chavez Gregory, Rocky Brooks, Lynn J. Bell, Sparkle Woodson, Humphrey Jones, Brian Beasley, Nathan Russell, Michael Jackson, Travis Seaward, Melody Man, Robert Phillips, Felicia Marie Perry, Josh Rohmer, Marcela Jacome, Erika Logie, Samuel Steven Randle V, Tyronza Smith, Jemal Power, Kristy Angel, Paul Zawacki, India Brookover, Karl "Doc" Maryland, Ernest Melendrez, Daveed Kapoor, General Jeff, Tanner Blackman, May Iev, Janet McGregor, Jocelyn Movido, Nancy K. Martin, Rey Martin, Brian Mitchell, Ryan McGregor, Kenny Daigre, Patty Hernandez, Arlonda Grant, Anthony Ortega, Emily Hernandez, Kaleigh Bancroft, Eldetra Grant, Stephanie Hernandez, Charles Huang, Brooke Daniels, Armando Hernandez, Ken Lesley, Vincent P. Meyer III, Charlie Lofthouse, Christopher Silva Cruz, Julio Dunn, Eddie Danie, Robert Anderson, Jeremy Parks, Chas A. San Nicolas, Femila Ervin, Nathalynn Ervin, Jasmine Brown, George Selman, Wendell Blessingame and Sustainability Committee Project Lead Gunnar Hand, AICP for all of their hard work and community spirit!

Thank you to the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, especially Meghan Shearer, for their great work and support throughout this entire process - we're thrilled to have new trees for Downtown! Thank you to India Brookover, community volunteer and photographer, who also gave her time on Saturday morning to help us document the day!

Phase I: Alameda Corridor Planting Tree Species

We will be planting Fern Pine Trees – Podocarpus macrophylla – evergreen trees that do not bloom or bare fruit.

We will provide structural pruning prior to planting the trees – removing any damaged or crossing limbs. Pruning before they go in the ground will ensure the long-term structure of the tree and avoid the need to prune again in the first five years. However, if limbs are damaged or broken after planting, then maintenance includes the removal.

Watering will occur approximately twice per month with additional visits in the summer and less during the rainy winter months.

Maintenance also includes the addition of mulch and creation of tree berms to keep water in the well and providing nutrients to the trees. As needed, additional fertilizer will be added.

Finally, the tree stakes and ties may require attention in re-staking and re-tying as well as complete removal after three to five years, depending on the tree size.

Let me know if you need any other questions answered.

Meghan Shearer, Los Angeles Conservation Corps