Strong winds earlier this week seem to have taken down a large, mature Ficus tree on Pico Blvd., near Rancho Park. Thanks to Carthay Circle resident Ann Rubin for the photos of the fallen tree, which we sent to several local tree experts for their thoughts on what could have cause the tree to fall.
Helen Hartung, chair of the Windsor Square Tree Canopy, noticed the fallen tree had very few leaves in contrast to the others nearby, and suggested the tree may have been diseased, weakening its root structure. Arborist Nick Mook told the Buzz that the roots appeared to be decayed. Mook speculated that possible root pruning at some point could have caused the tree to lose its anchoring ability.
It’s amazing to see one of these seemingly indestructible trees come down. We will keep you posted if we learn more about the cause of the tree’s demise, as it appears to about the same vintage as our Larchmont Blvd Ficus trees.
