Pasadena District Paused Longfellow Tree Removals
The Pasadena Unified School District halted its tree removal project following community protests.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Safety
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The Pasadena Unified School District paused its plan to remove protected trees at Longfellow Elementary School following pushback from local advocates. The removal efforts were part of a soil remediation project initiated after the Eaton fire.
Why it matters
The district is working to remediate soil contamination at the Longfellow campus, which necessitated the tree removal. Longfellow students have been relocated to the Allendale campus for the current school year due to the ongoing work.
The district planned to remove 200 trees as part of soil remediation, with 100 already cleared during the summer months. Removal work was paused four days after an announcement in late August regarding the removal of protected trees.
The players
Pasadena Unified School District
This is the local educational authority responsible for managing public schools and facilities within Pasadena.
Hilda Ramirez Horvath
She serves as the official spokesperson for the Pasadena Unified School District.
The details
Advocates have staged protests by standing in front of the campus and hanging signs to voice their opposition. Some individuals have further attempted to slow or stop the work by sitting in and around the trees on the property.
Timeline
In May 2026, the district announced a plan to remove 200 trees.
Over 100 trees were removed during the summer months of 2026.
In late August 2026, the district announced the removal of protected trees.
The district paused removal work four days after its late August announcement.
As of September 23, 2026, no official district statement has been provided.
Seasonal Patterns
The current remediation efforts at the school campus follow the environmental impact of the Eaton fire. This project underscores the long-term ecological and logistical recovery required after local fire incidents.
Residents and parents can monitor the school district's official communications for updates on when the tree removal process might resume. The campus remains closed to students, who are currently attending classes at the Allendale campus.
The takeaway
The conflict highlights the ongoing tension between necessary environmental remediation and the preservation of urban greenery. Local residents should stay engaged with district board meetings to influence the final remediation strategy.
Further reading
For more information on local safety efforts, visit the Safety section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Star News.
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Do you support the prioritization of school campus modernization over the preservation of existing trees?
