The City of Hermosa Beach will begin removing 10 dead, dying and diseased trees at Valley Park during the week of July 28 as part of its ongoing work to maintain public safety and protect community spaces.

To preserve the park’s green canopy and ensure minimal disruption to the environment, all removed trees will be replaced at a 2:1 ratio, with 20 new trees scheduled to be planted in the months ahead. All removed trees will also be inspected prior to removal to confirm that no active bird nests are present.

“Our priority is to protect Hermosa Beach’s residents and visitors while preserving the character of its parks and open areas,” said Public Works Director Joe SanClemente. “This work will help prevent accidents while contributing to the long-term sustainability of Valley Park and our City.”

Removals will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and are scheduled to be completed by or before August 8.

The removal and replacement effort was prompted, in part, by three recent incidents in which large tree branches fell within the park. While no injuries were reported, these events elevated the urgency of addressing possible safety threats. Subsequently, a certified arborist identified a set of specific trees to be removed that pose potential hazards due to disease, structural decay and advanced deterioration.

The City’s landscape contractor will also be on site during the removal process to assess additional areas for targeted tree trimming, which may be conducted concurrently to address potential hazards.

The City’s Public Works Commission will review tree replacement options to recommend to City Council during its September 17 meeting, with input from the City’s master arborist and consideration of species that are specifically compatible with Valley Park’s turf conditions.

For more information on the City’s tree removal and replacement policy, visit HermosaBeach.gov/PublicWorks.

Pictured: Map of upcoming Valley Park tree removal locations