Trees

The City Council on Tuesday voted to remove two Camphor trees that Burbank Unified officials say are causing a mess on the new Memorial Field at John Burroughs High School. The decision is compromise with school officials who had pressed to remove all six of the trees on Keystone Street, which they said were already causing maintenance issues due to the debris that fall from branches. Residents who live near the row of trees had opposed their removal. The grand opening for the $12.2-million Memorial Field revamp is scheduled for Feb. 25. “I don't make the decision lightly,” Mayor Jess Talamantes said.

A blaze that erupted in home Wednesday night on Screenland Drive after a dry Christmas tree caught fire caused $125,000 in damage, but no injuries were reported. The fire destroyed the home's living room before firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze shortly after 6 p.m. in the 2000 block of Screenland Drive. Burbank animal control officers were called in to care for two dogs that were found hiding in a nearby room. The homeowners were apparently away at the time the fire started.

In response to the letter from Mary Martin (“Montrose Christmas tree is shameful,” Dec. 12), I also don't especially like this tree, but not knowing where it came from, who chose this tree or how much it cost, I am happy to put up with it. Our great little town of Montrose has the Christmas parade, trolley rides, Christmas bands and, of course, Santa Claus. Perhaps after budgeting for all of these wonderful things, that was the only affordable tree. In these tough economic times, we should be happy we even have a Christmas tree!

Public works crews Thursday night were able to remove a 100-foot pine tree that fell across the 3300 block of Burritt Way in North Glendale earlier that day, city spokesman Tom Lorenz said. Strong wind gusts on Thursday uprooted the large pine tree, damaging gas lines and forcing the temporary evacuation of four homes. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred near New York Avenue. A high wind warning remains in effect for local valleys and mountain passes until 3 p.m. today, with the National Weather Service warning that strong gusts of up to 45 mph are still possible as Santa Ana winds start subsiding.

Constructed from PVC piping and anchored in place by steel rebar and wire tethers, the Oak Circle Drive Christmas wishing tunnel might be a curiosity to outsiders. It doesn't have the storied history of Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena or the glitz of Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills, but seems a perfect fit in the Sparr Heights neighborhood in Montrose where residents have been collectively decorating their homes, inside and out, for as long as anyone can remember. “It has always been a beautiful street, but it is most festive at Christmastime,” said 23-year resident Allen Brandstater.

Strong wind gusts today uprooted a large pine tree in North Glendale, damaging gas lines and forcing the temporary evacuation of four homes, officials said. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred in the 3300 block of Burritt Way near New York Avenue. Residents have been allowed to return to their homes as public works crews assess the 100-foot tree, which is blocking the street, a city officials said. The street may be closed until tomorrow as crews work to remove the tree and repair any damaged infrastructure.

The Montrose Shopping Park Assn. should hang their heads in shame for the sad excuse for a Christmas tree at the corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue. This so-called tree was viewed by all who attended the parade on Saturday and thousands of TV viewers. It resembled a dunce cap with stars. I would call it a wizard cap, but no wizard would claim it. Hopefully, next year, they will able to provide a tree that resembles a Christmas tree rather than a dunce cap with stars!

Burbank escaped the strong Santa Ana winds overnight Wednesday with just a few bumps and bruises, officials reported. There were no wind-related injuries, fires, or major structural problems, according to city spokesman Keith Sterling. But several trees in Burbank parks were toppled, he said. Officials temporarily closed DeBell Golf Club Thursday to deal with broken trees and damaged netting. The course was expected to be fully open by Saturday morning. As of Thursday afternoon, power had been restored to all Burbank Water and Power customers who experienced an isolated outage Wednesday.

Glendale may have escaped much of the mayhem and destruction seen in neighboring cities after Wednesday night's powerful Santa Ana winds, but the toll was still extensive. At least 30 large trees were toppled throughout the city, smashing cars and bringing down power lines that caused isolated power outages, forcing six Crescenta Valley schools to hold classes without electricity. No injuries were reported, but officials warned that it would take some time to clear debris and remove fallen trees.

As powerful Santa Ana winds howled Wednesday night, Glendale resident Nareq Keshishyan could only stand and watch as his family's Christmas tree operation on Highland Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard was torn to shreds. Winds lifted a massive tent from the Evergreen Christmas Trees lot and tossed dozens of Christmas trees around the property, he said. “We tried getting close, but it was way too dangerous,” Keshishyan said. “There was nothing we could do but stare and watch.” The Keshishyan's second lot at Colorado and Everett streets also sustained damage during the windstorm.