The shade tree’s roots are burgeoning (Condition Record)

OFTEN IT’S HARD to notice the changes in Mishkon’s circumstances over time. Occasionally, however, it’s easier. In the case of the shade tree in front of our sanctuary building, I happen to have snapshots over a 3½-year period. Taken together, they show a noticeable progression.

December 9, 2024
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Below the jump, this post documents the changes during the period of monitoring. It also briefly discusses the implications.…

June 27, 2021

The tree’s roots have pushed up the nearest corner of the section of sidewalk to its north, where the City located a bike rack.

March 19, 2022

June 28, 2022

(A contractor for the City has meanwhile replaced several nearby pieces of flagstone, after repairing a sewer line.)

April 26, 2023

Within the past 9 months, a crack has developed in that adjacent, raised sidewalk section.

It is not a coincidence that the crack runs underneath one leg of the bike rack! Rising tree roots were lifting up one leg of the rack more than the other, thereby creating downward pressure on the other leg, which kept stressing the concrete at its base—until that concrete snapped. (It’s like breaking a cracker in two by placing one end on a table, and lifting the other end with your thumb while pushing down on the middle of the cracker with your fingers.)

August 11, 2023

January 13, 2024

The uprooted corner of the sidewalk is raised up higher than before. One side of the big crack is now elevated relative to the other side.

December 9, 2024

The raised sidewalk section has cracked into 4 or 5 pieces. 

At its highest corner, even the bottom of this sidewalk section is sitting well above the curb (see initial photo at top of this post).

Implications

Who is responsible?

According to the City (LAMC Section 62.104), “The owner of a Lot shall maintain any Sidewalk … on or fronting on the Lot in such condition that [it] will not endanger any Person or property passing thereon or violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Tripping hazard or violation of ADA?

No, because due to the presence of the tree, people are not passing by at the spot where the crack is uneven or the sidewalk is protruding.

Sidewalk’s impact on the tree?

The sidewalk is crowding the tree, which has insufficient room to grow. In Oct 2021, Noël Johnston of the Verdant Venice Group (a voluntary association that promotes trees) remarked upon the “tiny” size of the tree pit.

Tree’s impact on the sidewalk?

The tree’s roots have raised and cracked the sidewalk. They will continue to distort the sidewalk unless measures are taken to ameliorate the situation.

And by the way, what about that rusty lock that is chained to the bike rack?

According to the photographic evidence, it’s been sitting there for more than 3 years!