Celebrating our Urban Foresters

LA Times (Kathryn Welch Howe)

In cities throughout Los Angeles, where extreme heat marks the summer seasons, trees are a key component in creating safer, more comfortable neighborhoods. That’s why we’re so happy to see citizens taking the initiative to fill in the gaps in spaces that need these trees.

Take Holmby- Westwood, for example, where citizen foresters took it upon themselves to organize with us and create the beautiful green spaces they deserve. Their incredible project will include 300 trees and will take up to 10 years to complete.… Read more >>

Deadheading and More!

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…and we are not talking about Grateful Dead fans!

As we have learned, maintenance of well-planned, sustainable landscapes not only helps decrease your water use and the amount of green waste you create, but also decreases the time it takes to maintain your yard.

Here are some general plant maintenance tasks that don’t take that much time, and can really boost the look of your garden.

General Plant Maintenance

  1. Deadheading

Deadheading is the removal of dead flowers or flower stalks.  Doing this typically creates a longer season of bloom by encouraging more flower production.… Read more >>

Addressing Equity with TreePeople

TreePeople got its name because its founder, Andy Lipkis, recognized the interconnectedness between trees and people. We need each other to thrive in Los Angeles and we’ve made it our mission to care and fight for both.

That’s why a major factor of the work we do is improving equity in LA. We believe that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds have a right to beautiful green spaces, which have been proven to improve both mental and physical health.

Los Angeles is facing an Urban Tree Crisis due to climate change, droughts, extreme heat, emerging pests and diseases, and development, which can significantly impact Angelenos’ everyday lives as well as health and well-being.… Read more >>

The Wars of the Roses!

To keep or not to keep? That is the question!

As more and more people convert their yards into a sustainable landscape, some are torn by their love of their favorites – such as hybrid roses – that are not “low” water- use plants. This doesn’t have to be a war of the roses!

The answer is to hydrozone your plants.

Hydrozoning is the practice of grouping plants by their similar water and sun needs.  By grouping plants into zones, it helps in your overall maintenance—watering appropriately, ensuring healthy plants, and allowing you to keep your more “moderate” or “high” water-use plants.… Read more >>

Heather Morris on her TreePeople Experience!

It was such a pleasant surprise to volunteer for Tree People. I’ve always been passionate in caring for our Earth and sustainability, and after Tree People reached out to see if I’d get involved, there was no hesitation to lend a hand.

Everything was provided for us when we got there; the only hard thing you have to do is decide on what you want to name your little sapling (ours varied between Some Disney characters and our own family member names).… Read more >>

Going Above, Recycling, and Beyond!

I am excited to share a quick brag about this past weekend’s GE Recycling & Beyond workshop. On February 2, 2019, despite the pouring rain and the recent LAUSD strike, we welcomed 13 teachers and students onto the campus of Parras Middle School in Redondo Beach to learn about campus waste reduction projects. Participants were led through a series of waste reduction activities, presentations, and a demonstration of the Parras MS campus waste system, given by the school’s very own Green Team.… Read more >>

Keep Your Tools Clean = Keep Your Plants Healthy!

If you like to trim in your garden, there is nothing like a new pair of pruners when cutting flowers and pruning trees and shrubs.  They are so clean, sharp, and cut like butter!

Oftentimes we don’t take care of our gardening tools—letting them get rusty, dull, and clogged with sap and sawdust, making you and your plants unhappy.  It comes as no surprise to find that one of the most popular topics at our Sustainable Landscape Maintenance workshops are the guidelines and demonstration on how to clean and maintain your garden tools.… Read more >>

Andy Lipkis’ Love for Trees Still Grows!

Valentine’s day is around the corner, which means love is in the air. Andy Lipkis, the Founder of TreePeople, loves his family, his friends, and, of course, trees. As “Los Angeles’ Professional Lorax,” he considers every single tree lovable and worth fighting for.

His love for the environment began in the early ’70s when, on a camping trip, he took the issue of dying forests into his own teenage hands. Since then, he’s been an activist and champion for the environment.… Read more >>

TreePeople at Kadima Day School for Tu BiShvat!

On January 17, 2019, TreePeople worked with students from Kadima Day School in honor of the holiday Tu BiShvat, or “New Year of The Trees,” in Hebrew.

In support of the celebration, TreePeople worked with students to bring understanding to the steps that are involved in caring for struggling trees.

Here are some of the activities the students participated in:

Instant Expert Activity

This activity prompts students to read facts about the importance of trees in our urban environment and tree care.… Read more >>

City of San Fernando Goes Green with Calles Verdes Kickoff!

On Saturday, January 26, 2019, TreePeople, California State Coastal Conservancy, and the City of San Fernando joined to launch Calles Verdes: an initiative to green the city!

This initiative is a multi-benefit greening project that will engage thousands of community and youth members to transform San Fernando into a model City for climate resilience.

At least 750 trees will be planted to shade sundrenched streets and absorb harmful greenhouse gasses. Streets and parking lots will be redesigned and constructed with innovative features that will capture precious stormwater to bolster water supplies and reduce polluted runoff.… Read more >>