Residents Rally to Save Century-Old Palm Trees Slated for Removal on San Fernando Boulevard

A passionate group of Burbank residents is fighting to save a dozen towering palm trees along San Fernando Boulevard that have stood sentinel over the city for more than a century.

The 12 Canary Island date palms, stretching from Olive Avenue to Magnolia Boulevard, are slated for removal as part of the city’s $2.8 million San Fernando Boulevard Streetscape Enhancement Project. City officials say the aging trees pose safety risks and interfere with planned sidewalk improvements and new LED streetlighting.

But residents aren’t backing down without a fight.

“These palms are part of Burbank’s DNA,” said Maria Santos, a 35-year Rancho resident who started the Save Our San Fernando Palms Facebook group three weeks ago. The group has already attracted more than 800 members. “My grandmother used to tell me stories about these same trees when she worked at Lockheed during World War II. They’ve watched over our city through everything.”

The trees, planted around 1920 during Burbank’s early development boom, tower nearly 80 feet above the boulevard. Their massive fronds have provided shade for generations of commuters, studio workers heading to and from Disney and Warner Bros., and families strolling to shops in the Media District.

Safety Concerns vs. Historical Value

City Public Works Director James Chen acknowledged the trees’ historical significance but emphasized safety concerns during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

“We’ve documented multiple instances of falling fronds, some weighing up to 25 pounds,” Chen explained. “Three vehicles have sustained damage in the past 18 months, and we’ve received numerous complaints from pedestrians. Additionally, the root systems are damaging sidewalks and creating ADA compliance issues.”

The city’s arborist report, commissioned last fall, found that eight of the 12 trees show signs of Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that has devastated palm populations across Southern California. The remaining four trees have significant structural issues, including leaning trunks and damaged root systems.

But tree advocacy groups question the city’s findings. Dr. Patricia Williams, a certified arborist from Glendale who has examined the palms, believes many could be saved with proper treatment.

“Fusarium wilt is serious, but it’s not always fatal,” Williams said. “With aggressive treatment – fungicide injections, proper fertilization, and careful pruning – we could potentially save 6-8 of these magnificent specimens. The cost would be significant, but nothing compared to their irreplaceable historical value.”

Community Mobilization

The controversy has galvanized Burbank’s typically quiet neighborhoods. Santos organized the first rally last Saturday at McCambridge Park, drawing nearly 150 residents carrying signs reading “Save Our Heritage” and “Palms Are Burbank.”

Among the crowd was Tom Rodriguez, whose family has operated Rodriguez Auto Repair on San Fernando Boulevard since 1962. “I’ve been working under the shade of these trees for 40 years,” he said. “They’re landmarks. When people give directions in this part of town, they say ‘turn at the big palms.’ What happens to that when they’re gone?”

The movement has attracted support from unexpected corners. Dr. Sarah Kim, a screenwriter who moved to Magnolia Park five years ago, has been researching the trees’ history at the Burbank Historical Society.

“These palms appear in countless films and TV shows shot in Burbank,” Kim discovered. “They’re in backgrounds of scenes from ‘Casablanca’ to modern Netflix series. They’re not just trees – they’re part of Hollywood history.”

Alternative Solutions

Activists have proposed several alternatives to complete removal. Their counter-proposal, presented to the City Council, includes:

• Treating diseased trees with fungicide injections, estimated at $15,000 per tree
• Installing protective barriers around healthy specimens
• Replanting with disease-resistant palm varieties where removal is unavoidable
• Modifying sidewalk plans to accommodate existing root systems

“We’re not asking the city to abandon the streetscape project,” explained Mike Thompson, a local architect who has joined the campaign. “We’re asking for creative solutions that preserve these irreplaceable giants while still improving pedestrian safety and accessibility.”

The alternative plan would add approximately $300,000 to the project cost, according to preliminary city estimates.

City Council Divided

Tuesday’s City Council meeting revealed sharp divisions among elected officials. Councilwoman Jennifer Walsh expressed sympathy for preservation efforts but worried about liability issues.

“I love these trees as much as anyone,” Walsh said. “But what happens when someone gets seriously injured by a falling frond? The city can’t ignore documented safety risks.”

Councilman David Park took a different stance. “We’re talking about 100-year-old trees that have survived the Great Depression, two world wars, and countless challenges,” he said. “Surely we can find a way to make this work that doesn’t involve wholesale destruction of our heritage.”

Mayor Rebecca Thompson promised the council would consider all options but warned that delays could jeopardize federal transportation grants funding the project.

Next Steps

The Save Our San Fernando Palms group has retained environmental attorney Lisa Chen (no relation to the Public Works director) to explore legal options. Meanwhile, they’re collecting signatures for a petition and organizing letter-writing campaigns.

“We’re not tree-huggers trying to stop progress,” Santos emphasized. “We’re residents who understand that some things, once lost, can never be replaced. These palms took a century to reach their current majesty. In our rush to modernize, let’s not destroy what makes Burbank special.”

The City Council will revisit the issue at their next meeting on March 19. Public comment begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Construction on the streetscape project is scheduled to begin in June, meaning time is running short for any alternative solutions.

As this debate unfolds, the ancient palms continue their silent vigil over San Fernando Boulevard, their fronds rustling in the wind that has carried the sounds of changing Burbank for more than a century.