SHERMAN OAKS : Group to Replace Trees Along Street

An organization that promotes reforestation of urban neighborhoods is sending off shoots in a Sherman Oaks neighborhood.

Saturday morning at 9 a.m., a group of neighbors and about 40 volunteers will plant 11 Bradford pear trees along the 4900 block of Van Noord Avenue to replace trees that the city removed because their branches were getting caught in overhead wires.

Sharon and Rick Mayer said their idea for the tree planting took root soon after they completed training as urban foresters offered by TreePeople, a nonprofit environmental organization.

The five-day course taught them not only proper techniques for planting trees, but also the importance of replenishing the dwindling numbers of trees in urban areas.

TreePeople is lending money, equipment and expertise to the project, and local businesses are donating refreshments to the workers.

Sharon Mayer said she hoped that people who heard about the event would be inspired to plant trees in their neighborhoods as well.

“In addition to making everything look nicer, it makes property values go up,” she said.

The city removed sweet gum trees whose branches were tangled in wires about 35 feet high and whose roots were buckling a nearby sidewalk. The pear trees, which are now eight feet tall, are expected to grow to a maximum height of 30 to 40 feet.