May 21, 2026 2 new Oak trees are in!
May 20, 2026 New Tress going in tomorrow morning!
May 1, 2026 One more tree is being removed due to fungus.
Vision for the Canopy
The New Trees
While 17 trees were lost, the replacement strategy focuses on high-biomass, native-adjacent species. The City has secured mature Coast Live Oaks (pictured below) which will be installed at a starting height of 26 feet. These specimens were selected for their upright growth habit, ensuring they provide a substantial canopy without interfering with the architectural lines of the historic Forest Avenue storefronts.
Technical Deep Dive: Why the Trees Were Removed
April 22, 2026 Following the sudden failure of a mature Blue Gum Eucalyptus, the City commissioned an immediate assessment of the remaining canopy. Two independent arborists determined that the removals were an unavoidable safety requirement due to hidden structural issues.
There will be 33 trees on the promenade, including 4 new oak trees that will be 26 feet high and planted in less than a month.
April 23, 2026 Following the community’s response to the recent tree removals, Mayor Mark Orgill and City Manager Dave Kiff recorded this update to explain the safety concerns and the City’s long-term vision for the Forest Avenue canopy.
1. The “Root Math” & Grading Conflict
The most critical finding involves a physical impossibility: the trees lacked the depth to survive the new plaza’s level surface.
- The 2-Inch Gap: Air-spading revealed no structural roots over 2 inches in diameter extending toward the street. These trees lacked the thick “anchor” roots needed for stability.
- The 8-Inch Cut: The new Promenade design requires lowering the ground by 8 inches. Since no large roots were found deeper than 5 inches, grading the site would have severed the trees’ only remaining support, creating an immediate tip-over hazard.
A primary point of contention is whether the structural root study should have been conducted during the planning phase. While experts maintain that deep-root ‘air spading’ is difficult on an active street, critics argue that the lack of pre-approval data led to a ‘fait accompli’ where the trees had to be removed only after construction was already irreversible.
2. Compromised Internal Health
Decades of downtown development created a “hostile” environment that strangled the trees from below.
- Girdling Roots: Previous utility work forced roots to grow in a circular pattern (girdling), effectively “choking” the trunks. In some cases, neighboring Ficus roots were found to be strangling the Eucalyptus.
- Hidden Decay: Boring samples revealed internal rot at the base of several trunks that was not visible from the sidewalk.
DID YOU KNOW? While resources are being focused on the downtown Promenade, the South Coast Water District (SCWD) Site remains in a state of non-compliance regarding its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and CEQA requirements. We are advocating for the site restoration and pocket park originally promised to South Laguna—read the full breakdown of the compliance issues here.
3. Public Safety & Insurance Liability
With the trees rated at a “High to Extreme” probability of failure, the City faced a critical liability crisis.
- Target Rating: Because Forest Avenue is a high-traffic pedestrian zone, the risk of a tree hitting a person was at its maximum.
- Insurance Risk: Experts noted that failing to act on these findings could jeopardize the City’s ability to remain insured, as maintaining a known “extreme risk” hazard is often grounds for loss of coverage.
“Tree is recommended for removal due to the lack of structural roots observed… the suspected shallow rooting depth, the severe degree of lean; poor health and project impacts. … The tree’s visible roots are circling and girdling trunk. Additionally, ficus roots were found to be girdling trunk.”
Official Arborist Investigation Report, April 21, 2026
The Bottom Line
While the permanent Promenade project provided the catalyst for the construction, the arborist report suggests these trees had reached the end of their biological life expectancy in an urban setting. The removal was a safety mandate to prevent catastrophic failure in the heart of our downtown.
The New Tree Plan
Latest Construction Status & Safety Updates: April 20, 2026
On April 20, the City of Laguna Beach held an emergency Zoom town hall following the “unexpected failure” of a mature eucalyptus tree within the Promenade project zone.
The City’s Findings: According to an official statement, two independent arborists investigated the remaining canopy and determined that nine additional trees posed immediate safety risks. The City cited:
- Compromised root systems from past damage and decay.
- Improper growing conditions affecting stability.
- Public safety and liability as the primary drivers for immediate removal.
The Plan Forward: The City confirmed that while these nine trees were slated for immediate removal, seven older viable trees will be retained. The removed specimens are scheduled to be replaced with new, properly planted trees as part of the permanent Promenade landscape design.
- Tree Removal: View the tress being cut down
The Current Landscape on Forest Avenue
April 21, 2026 The photo below, taken this morning, provides the clearest look at the status of Lower Forest Avenue following the overnight emergency removal of 9 additional trees. It shows the newly exposed corridor as construction crews move into the next phase of the project.
The permanent Promenade on Forest project has officially moved into its construction phase, sparking a significant city-wide dialogue regarding the future of our downtown landscape. As residents from every neighborhood in Laguna Beach observe the changes along Forest Avenue, staying informed on the technical schematics and official contact channels is essential for a productive community conversation.
This page serves as a central, informational resource for the current status of the project, the city’s environmental mitigation plans, and how all residents can engage with the process.
Project Overview and Current Status
The Promenade on Forest project aims to transition the temporary outdoor dining and pedestrian area into a permanent fixture of the downtown district. The approved design focuses on creating a level pedestrian plaza, upgrading aging infrastructure, and reinforcing the “village character” of Lower Forest Avenue.
- Official Project Page: City of Laguna Beach – Promenade on Forest
- Approved Design Schematics: View the full design documents here
- Resolution of Approval: City Council Resolution Details
Tree Removal and Environmental Context
One of the most contentious aspects of the construction is the impact on existing trees. Historically, Forest Avenue has been defined by its eucalyptus groves—a legacy dating back to the late 1800s and a major replanting effort by the Laguna Beach Garden Club in the 1920s.
Recent Developments & Current Tree Count
Recent activity on Forest Avenue has significantly altered the project’s environmental landscape. While the April 2025 documentation initially aimed for preservation, the current status is as follows:
- Total Trees Removed: As of April 21, 2026, a total of 16 trees have been removed from the project area.
- Phase 1: 7 trees (including several eucalyptus) were removed during the initial grading and site preparation.
- Phase 2: 9 additional trees were removed overnight on April 20 following an emergency arborist assessment.
- The “Why”: The City Manager Dave Kiff and City Engineering staff stated that an “unexpected failure” of one mature tree triggered a review by two independent arborists.
- Following a unanimous recommendation by the two independent arborists, 9 additional trees were identified as posing immediate safety risks due to structural instability and were removed to protect the public and project site
- Retained Canopy: The City has committed to retaining 7 older, viable trees within the Promenade footprint and will proceed with the planting of new “properly spec’d” trees as detailed in the L3.02 Planting Plan.
Official Project Findings (DR 25-0319)
According to the city’s environmental documentation dated April 2, 2025:
- Preservation Goals: The design intended to preserve several existing street trees while increasing the total number of trees occupying Lower Forest Avenue upon completion.
- Heritage Status: The city stated there are no “Designated Heritage Trees” within the specific project area, though many residents consider these mature trees to be vital historical assets.
Direct Resources for Residents
If you have concerns regarding the removal of old-growth trees, the loss of parking, or the technical schematics of the plaza, the following city staff are the designated points of contact for this capital improvement project:
Official Construction Contacts
- City Engineer: Thomas Perez
- (949) 464-6688
- tperez@lagunabeachcity.net
- Construction Manager: Sara Bekr
- (949) 419-4145
- sbekr@lagunabeachcity.net
Stay Informed
As a city-wide organization, So Laguna is committed to providing transparent access to public records and project updates that affect our entire community. We will continue to update this page as new renderings, project milestones, or environmental reports are released by the City of Laguna Beach.
Community Feedback
If you have photos of the progress or information you would like to share with the neighborhood association, please reach out to us directly. We will continue to update this page as new renderings or project milestones are released.
