on record and at a time when cities are being urged to expand their tree cover to protect residents and wildlife from the worsening effects of climate change.
In an email, the city of Beverly Hills said it would continue with its sidewalk improvement project and will follow the judge’s preliminary injunction until a final order is issued. “In the meantime, the City will continue to explore all additional options,” the email said. The city and some business owners blamed the ficus trees for leaving messy droppings, causing drainage issues, and damaging buildings and sidewalks. Beverly Hills’ public information officer said the city had received several trip=and=fall claims in recent years, and that it could no longer repair the sidewalk without replacing it, which would have required “eight inches of excavation and would destabilize the trees.