Laguna Beach staff say nine Promenade trees should be removed after two arborists find compromised roots; residents push back

City Manager Dave K. told residents on a rapidly called webinar that two consulting arborists concluded several trees along the Promenade/Forest Avenue have insufficient root systems and should be removed, and that city staff plan to remove nine trees identified as hazards.

The announcement followed a March weekend when one eucalyptus fell; staff said Dudek’s project arborist performed air‑spading and root inspection and that Monarch provided an independent peer review that reached the same conclusion. "The conclusion of both the arborists was that the trees in the yellow boxes…should be removed," Dave K. said, adding that the decision reflects concerns for worker safety during construction and future public safety on the Promenade.

Why it matters: staff framed the decision as risk management. Dave K. explained the city participates in a joint insurance pool (SEIPA) and said failure to act on known hazards could jeopardize coverage and expose the city to higher liability costs. He said removal is an administrative staff decision based on two arborist reports rather than a council vote.

What the arborists found: consultants reported multiple problems…