LA Controller Checks Unauthorized Universal Tree Pruning Amid Heatwave Protests

LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia revealed on Wednesday that no permit was obtained for the felling of the now-notorious Ficus trees located outside of Universal’s Gate 8. Mejia made it clear in a social media thread that the City of LA’s Urban Forestry Division (UFD) alongside the StreetsLA’s Investigation & Enforcement Division (IED) will investigate into the matter. If found guilty, the administrative citation fee commences at $250.

These trees that were vigorously pruned over the past weekend had been providing shade for the ongoing picketers. These trees come under the purview of the LA City managed street trees, as per Mejia's previous tweet. As the prune job caused a social media uproar, the studio supplied shade tents as backup.

Treegate took a new turn when Kenneth Mejia decided to delve into the issue of the recently pruned Ficus trees outside Universal’s Gate 8. The thinning of these trees caused a ruckus as protesters were marching in high heat exceeding 90 degrees. The untouched pine trees on the opposite side of Barham and a row of pepper trees behind the Universal fence only added to the intrigue.

Mejia's office continues to investigate the fate of the Ficuses on Burham Boulevard, described as “LA City managed street trees.” Universal accepted the pruning action but claimed it was meant for safety purposes and did not intend to create any challenges for the protesters. Acknowledging the environmental and public health benefits provided by trees, particularly during a heatwave, Mejia tweeted, “Public Works’ Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) is responsible for maintaining the City’s 700,000+ trees in the public right-of-way.”

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA today took their gripes concerning the ongoing studio construction on Lankershim Boulevard and the ongoing strike to the National Labor Relations Board. NBCUniversal Media is accused of infringing on the rights of their employees under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. Moreover, SAG-AFTRA's complaint highlights the unsafe crowding condition causing a perilous public safety situation for picketing and patrolling workers.

In reaction, an NBCUniversal spokesperson said, “We are aware of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA complaints. We strongly believe that the company has fulfilled our legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and we will cooperate with respect to any inquiries by the National Labor Relations Board on this issue. We support the unions’ rights to demonstrate safely.”

Now time to dig into the matter with some light pen strokes.

If Hollywood were a petri dish, the most recent specimen swabbed is undoubtedly the infamous "Treegate." It's nature versus studio and shade versus prune, in a glaring example of when botany brushes up against Hollywood bureaucracy.

As Laurel and Hardy could vouch for, comedy sprouts from 'falling trees.' But in this case, the 'falling trees' have multiplied into a thick canopy of controversy. The tree saga intertwines environmental responsibility, union rights and city regulations, proving Tinseltown's dramas aren't limited to the silver screen.

Ficus trees, essentially non-actors in Hollywood's glamorous echosphere, now find themselves center-stage in an ecological scandal. The involvement of Mejia, usually occupied with budgets and number crunching, underscores the gravity of the situation. This 'leafy ordeal' continues to grow branches across social platforms, so much so that shade has turned into a fiery topic of the summer!

The intervention from WGA and SAG-AFTRA births yet another subplot, illustrating that Hollywood isn't just about high-gloss movie premiers and champagne-soaked award nights. It’s interesting to see the real dramas unfold in the dimly lit corners of picket lines and construction sites.

This tree tale, as woody as it may be, adds a fresh ring in the chronicles of Hollywood. It sheds light on how an innocuous pruning event can cause a ripple effect, leading to the scrutinous examination of regulatory compliances and worker safety.

Now let us see if this tree controversy will branch out with more twists and turns worthy of a Hollywood script, or if it will wither on the vine with the rising summer heat. Either way, stay tuned to our coverage as we promise to 'leaf' no stone unturned!