Monday, July 13, 2026

Mayor Says PUSD Tree Removals Damaged Public Trust Amid Growing Dispute

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Mayor Victor Gordo shown during a recent City Council meeting. [Screenshot from video by Pasadena Media]

Gordo’s comments come as the dispute between the city and the school district continues to escalate over the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) removal of trees at campuses undergoing soil remediation following the Eaton Fire.

“Decisions like these erode our environment and equally important the public’s trust and confidence,” Gordo told Pasadena Now. “The fact our City Attorney had to ask a judge to issue an inspection warrant in order that the City can meet its responsibility to residents of Pasadena is outrageous, unacceptable and frankly should be embarrassing to all. We should be working together for the safety and benefit of all.”

The city recently sought an inspection warrant after officials said they were denied access to district campuses to determine whether protected trees were being removed in violation of Pasadena’s Tree Protection Ordinance.

The dispute centers on PUSD’s fire-related soil remediation project, which district officials say is necessary to remove contaminated soil before students return to classrooms. According to the district, more than 8,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated by the Eaton Fire must be excavated to eliminate health risks at school campuses.

City officials have argued that PUSD must comply with local tree protection regulations and allow city arborists to inspect trees before they are removed. The city previously issued stop-work orders at several campuses after concluding the district continued removing trees without required permits.

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

PUSD has maintained that tree removals are necessary in some locations because contaminated soil extends into root systems and around underground infrastructure. District officials have also said they are working to preserve as many mature trees as possible while completing the remediation project before the start of the school year.

The conflict has drawn increasing public attention, with residents, environmental advocates and elected officials questioning the scale of the planned tree removals and the district’s interpretation of its legal obligations.

Gordo said the city and the district should be collaborating rather than fighting over access to campuses.

“We should be working together for the safety and benefit of all,” the mayor said.

The legal dispute over inspections and tree removals remains ongoing.