San Fernando residents upset after city cuts down palm trees by mistake

SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (KABC) -- San Fernando residents held a candlelight vigil Sunday night for at least a half-dozen mature palm trees that were cut down by mistake by the city.

"I'm very saddened by the fact that this community is a tree city and these circle palm trees were cut down. It's a shame," resident Anna Lopez said.

Angry residents rallied in front of the chopped trees, demanding answers. The palms lined Brand Boulevard and marked the entrance to the city. The trees have been part of the San Fernando landscape for decades.

City officials said there was a miscommunication between the city and landscape architect overseeing a revitalization project on the medians. The project involved installing drought tolerant landscaping and low-drip irrigation to save the city money and water.

"The palms were to stay and that was the direction we received from the city council. That was the direction given to the landscape architect. Unfortunately that was not conveyed in the plans and so the trees were removed," San Fernando City Manager Brian Saeki said.

Saeki added as part of the plan, 18 new trees will be planted - 10 live oaks and eight olive trees.

City officials said they are still investigating what exactly happened and what can be done to remedy the situation. But residents said none of it makes sense.

The city said the median project should be completed in 30 days.