Loading...
2025-03-18 CC Agenda - Public Communication - Misc. - Canary Island Pine TreeAgena Item Public Comment March 18, 2025 Good evening Mr. Mayor and members of the City Council. My name is Bryan Shepard and 1 have been a long-time resident and property owner in El Segundo since the early 1990s. I would like to put on the agenda repurposing the Canary Island Pine Tree that was located in Library Park until just a couple of Mondays ago. Purpose: I would like to discuss with the City Council the options that are available to the City of El Segundo of repurposing the tree and to make them aware that the tree is available to be repurposed. I'd like to discuss how and why it should be repurposed and to ask for support from the Mayor and City Council. Background: Just over a week ago, residents and business owners were notified that the 95-year-old Canary Island Pine Tree located right off of Main Street in Library Park across from El Segundo High School was going to be cut down the following Monday as it was diseased and possibly posed a risk to residents. So the City hired a company, West Coast Arborists, to take it down. The loss of this iconic tree that acts as the town's Christmas tree was upsetting and angered many residents. When we heard about it, we got to work to see what we could do. After a few calls, we were able to get approval to salvage the tree trunk and potentially repurpose it for furniture and other useful items for the community of El Segundo instead of it being disposed of. The natural place to bring the tree back to is the El Segundo Library where it can act as a bench as well as a teaching tool of the importance of land stewardship and be honored for the years of enjoyment it provided to the City. How the City Can Support Repurposing Efforts: 1) The City could donate to the fundraiser we initiated. 2) The City could endorse the fundraiser to allow us to raise the funds for public and/or private use. 3) The City could display milled lumber pieces in indoor public spaces throughout the City to act as: - educational tools for both kids and adults - beautiful display pieces - demonstrate to the public that the City is forward -thinking in terms of sustainability practices About Angel City Lumber: Angel City Lumber is a local sawmill located in Downtown Los Angeles. Their mission is to reconnect Angelenos with nature by manufacturing the gift of wood from fallen neighborhood trees. Felled trees they have reclaimed and repurposed grace the interiors of such places as Uchi Restaurant in West Hollywood, Santa Monica City Hall, 1 Hotel in West Hollywood, and residences throughout Los Angeles. ACL has recently been featured on NBCLA and KTLA. Stewardship: Stewardship of the land is the greatest gift to current and future generations. Humans are not separate from, but instead, part of and depend upon the natural world that surrounds them. The City of El Segundo's support of this repurposing efforts are in alignment with its land acknowledgement of the Tonqva People as caretakers of the land. For more information: Bryan Shepard eaglevisionLA@gmail.com (310) 741-1860 x3ring Milt®n C.I. Pine Back Home Farewell Dear Friends, Here l stood in in ]Ell Segundo ]Library Park for 95 years watching many of you grow into adults. d have so many fond memories... of parades and graduations, of farmer's markets, concerts and community gatherings. IT miss the birds and squirrels playing among my branches, the ocean breeze, salty air, and sauna caressing my bark, and above all, of you a➢➢ with so much laughter and friendship tickling my roots. It was with a heavy heart that I had to leave my home just a few days ago. It Baas hard to say goodbye to a➢Il my fHcndls and neighbors and the City l so loved. E want to take a moment to thank you for all your years of Friendship and support as well as your care and concern for my well-being ups until the very last minute. l am mono ,,�oTiting to you full of excitement and anticipation. In a stunning development and in tive spirit of camaraderie and good will, I can now come back to you in El Segundo in new form! The City of El Segundo in conjunction with West Coast Arborists have graciously offered to donate my entire trunk to Angel City ]Lumber to transform into uusalb) e pieces for public or private indoor use. Whether benches, seats, tables, flooring, moors, cabinets, or cutting boards, the slay is the limit. Donate at GoFundMe.com: Search "Milton Pine" If d don't end up back in ]Ell Segundo, I will be available to others. But, most of a➢➢, l would love to come home. ']Chen we can finally meet face-to-face? In love and sunshine, good for us all, "Milton' C.I. ]Pine, aka ]El Segundo Ubrauy Park unary Island Pine To Donate To bring Milton C.I. Pine Back to El Segundo - Go to Go]FuundMe.com. Search "Milton Pine." Funds go toward transportation of Milton from West Coast Arborisis in Ontario to Angel City ]Lumber in Downtown Los Angeles, plus millwork, kiln drying, custom fabrication, and delivery of the finished items. Visit AngelCity]Luumber.com, call (213) 373-1651, or email info@angelcitylumber.com for more information about lifecycle tree use and creating unique local Los Angeles lumber projects. If you have questions, suggestions, or would like another way to donate, please contact Bryan at (310) 741-1860. ©2025 MMD