BRENTWOOD—Community members unite to save a thirty-year-old tradition in maintaining the native Coral Trees in the city. These trees were once cared for, but due to the Los Angeles budget cuts, they are no longer a priority.

Coral trees, also known as Erythrina, is a genus with over 100 species. These trees live in temperate climate areas in the world. Their name derives from the abundance of the coral color within the flowers and seeds. The flowers tend to be either radial in symmetry, sparsely along a flower spike, clustered or hornlike.

Coral trees. Photograph courtesy of Boolhit Photography

This past summer, a silent campaign was organized to support these Coral trees in the region. The community showed support by donating money to the cause. The Coral Tree Endowment Fund was soon established with a goal to raise 500,000 dollars that will be used to ensure the trees will be well maintained for a long time.

On September 24, the Brentwood Community Council will hold Rally Round the Coral Trees with actress Betty White hosting. The Chairman of Brentwood Community Council, Nancy Freedman told Canyon News, “The Los Angeles County Supervisor, Zev Yaroslavsky and Tree People Founder, Andy Lipkis will also be present at the rally.

T-shirts and totes to raise money for the Coral trees will be sold.”