San Vicente to get sprinkler repairs as well
By Sam Catanzaro
The City of Los Angeles has contracted a new gardener to care for Brentwood’s coral trees.
“Please note that a new gardener has been contracted by the City of LA after a significant delay,” the Brentwood Community Council (BCC) said in a recent email newsletter.
According to the BCC, the gardener will begin mowing the median regularly, while the City Department of Urban Forestry will perform some basic repairs on the median sprinkler systems.
“The goal will be to water the grass while adjusting the spray so the consistent watering does not further damage the Coral Trees (which are sensitive, desert-loving trees),” the BCC said.
The BCC noted that the next step is gopher control, which will involve trapping and other non-toxic methods as approved by the City.
Lining San Vicente Boulevard, coral trees are fast-growing and suffer from weak wood, making them susceptible to collapse unless pruned regularly but cver-pruning, however, causes the trees to “sunburn.” Furthermore, San Vicente’s coral trees have not been spared by the impacts of California’s recent, record-breaking drought. Although coral trees thrive on little water, the drought forced the city to turn off irrigation to the median, posing a problem to future tree upkeep.
Compounded with the effects of neglect and unfavorable weather, Brentwood’s coral trees suffer from a fungal infection spread by gophers. Oak Root Fungus is a common plant disease in California that thrives in moist conditions — the fungus has spread through the San Vicente Corridor through gopher damage.
