Seventy eucalyptus trees on Willaman Drive will be replaced with crape myrtle trees. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The Beverly Hills City Council on June 3 approved the removal of 70 eucalyptus trees on Willaman Drive after residents expressed concerns over sap and insects.

City Arborist Ken Pfalzgraf said the eucalyptus trees on Willaman Drive have “failed to thrive” due to repeated replacement.

“If I was a resident [on Willaman Drive], I would not be proud of what I am seeing there,” Pfalzgraf said.

He said the sap from eucalyptus trees is difficult to remove from cars and houses, and the sap also attracts rhinoceros beetles, which weaken the trees’ overall foliage.

According to a staff report, in 2024, a majority of property owners on North Willaman Drive petitioned the city to remove the trees. Property owners on South Willaman Drive also joined the petition.

The city held meetings with residents and polled them on potential tree replacements. Residents were given the options of alternating tree species on the street or a uniform tree type. Residents chose from Australian willow, crape myrtle and holly oak trees. Approximately 61% of Willaman Drive residents responded to the survey, or 43 of 71 total addresses. According to the city, 91% of respondents favored the replacement of the eucalyptus trees. Additionally, 84% of respondents preferred a uniform tree type on the street and 54% preferred crape myrtle trees over the two other options.

Crape myrtles are deciduous trees, meaning they shed all of their leaves in the fall as opposed to evergreen trees – including Australian willow and holly oak – which retain leaves and needles throughout the year.

Council members asked Pfalzgraf if it was made clear to residents that the crape myrtles do not have leaves for a portion of the year, to which he responded yes.

“I have some concerns over the flowers dropping off and the leaves dropping off, but it is what the residents want, and they’ve been informed, so I’m OK with it,” Councilman Lester Friedman said.

“I have the same concern with regard to trees being bare at certain times of the year, so as long as that’s been relayed to the residents, I’m in favor of the process as well,” Mayor Sharona Nazarian said.

The tree removal and replacement project will cost the city approximately $200,000, with $95,500 for the removal and $105,000 for installation. The city did not receive any public comments on the tree replacement.