schools
Protests and lawsuits: Activists climb pine amid showdown over Pasadena school district's tree removals
By Doug Smith at Los Angeles Times - California
· July 19, 2026
· 1 min read
Activists climb a 100-foot pine tree at Muir High School to protest a controversial Pasadena Unified School District plan to cut down nearly 200 trees.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The tree removal plan by the Pasadena Unified School District has sparked intense opposition, with activists taking drastic measures to voice their concerns. The decision to cut down nearly 200 trees has significant implications for the community, particularly in terms of environmental and aesthetic impact. As the district moves forward with its plan, residents will be watching closely to see how the removals affect the character of school campuses like Muir High School. The fact that activists felt compelled to climb a 100-foot pine tree to protest the plan suggests a deep-seated concern among community members about the district's approach to managing its natural resources. The outcome of this showdown will likely influence how the district approaches similar decisions in the future, and may also impact the way the community engages with district officials on environmental issues.
About this story
Original reporting by Los Angeles Times - California . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: schools ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: Los Angeles Times - California ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Activists climb a 100-foot pine tree at Muir High School to protest a controversial Pasadena Unified School District plan to cut down nearly 200 trees.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by Los Angeles Times - California and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Doug Smith at Los Angeles Times - California. To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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