Sacrifice The Oak For Los Angeles Growth

Columnist Steve Lopez takes a humorous look at a 400-year old oak tree standing in the way of a subdivision in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita.

1 minute read

November 21, 2002, 10:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Greater Los Angeles was built on the principle that no legal, moral or natural force should stand in the way of growth beyond all reason... This is the first pro-environment vigil I've been to in which half the rubber-neckers are in SUVs, but part of the crowd seems to be drawn to the spectacle rather than the cause... I'm no gardener. But this thing is the size of a Ferris wheel, and I'm here to guarantee you it'll be dead as a Christmas wreath in two weeks."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Wednesday, November 20, 2002 in The Los Angeles Times

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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