Whittier’s iconic Greenleaf Avenue is under threat. Over 100 mature ficus trees are at risk of being cut down for the Greenleaf Promenade Project—and the city has made it easier than ever to do so by quietly suspending its Tree Manual.

For years, Whittier’s Tree Manual required public notice, environmental review, and a 30-day public comment period before any healthy public tree could be removed. But now, that process is suspended until at least June 2026. This change allows the city to remove public trees with no notice, no explanation, and no opportunity for residents to weigh in.

Already, residents have watched trees disappear overnight, without warning. Local groups like the Whittier Conservancy are fighting back. They’ve filed a lawsuit against the city for failing to follow its own procedures and neglecting proper environmental review. That lawsuit is set to go to trial in February—but by then, the damage could already be done.

These trees are not just landscaping. They provide shade during hot summers, capture carbon, reduce air pollution, and support local wildlife. They are part of what makes Whittier walkable, livable, and distinct. Once they’re gone, they cannot be replaced in a meaningful way for generations.

We call on Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, the Whittier City Council, and City Manager Brian Saeki to immediately restore the Tree Manual, halt the removal of the Greenleaf ficus trees, and commit to a transparent, community-driven process before any more public trees are cut down.

Sign this petition to protect Whittier’s urban forest, defend public process, and save the trees that have shaped our city’s identity for decades.
 
 
 Photo: LA Times