LOS ANGELES : Board Allows Fee for Destroyed Oaks

Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday gave final approval to an amendment to the county’s oak tree ordinance which will allow some developers to pay a fee when they destroy trees.

The amendment had been requested by the county forester and fire warden, who maintained that the current policy of requiring two-for-one replacement is not always realistic. In many cases, the replacement trees end up being crowded into irrigated parks or planted along streets, neither of which is ideal for native oaks.

Under the new provision, the forester will have the power to decide that on-site replacement is inappropriate. The forester will then determine appropriate payment to a county oak tree fund, which will fund improvements of forests and purchase of oak woodlands.