Big Tree Could be Headed for Landmark Status

By Elizabeth Schneider

Oct. 16 -- It looks like "The Big Tree" may have found its roots after all. The Landmarks Commission on Monday took the first steps to declare the Cedrus Deodara -- perhaps the city's largest and oldest tree -- a landmark.

In addition, the local developer who Boardwalk Realty in Marina del Rey confirmed had bought the property at 918 5th Street that has been home to the "Cedar of the Gods" since the mid-to-late 1800s has backed out, said Liz Bar-El the planning staff liaison to the Landmarks Commission.

"The only action the commission took was to nominate [the tree] as a landmark, primarily to gather information so we could have a formal public hearing on it," said Roger Genser, the commission's vice chair.

However, unless the commission finds merit to hold a formal hearing at its next meeting on November 11, the tree will be without protection from anyone who wishes to remove it.

As for the future of the property, "The trustee is trying to sell the property," Bar-El said.

After the death of the property's owner, Dorothy English, two month's ago, the giant tree, which served as a constant companion throughout her 90 years, was bequeathed with the land and two houses to a church group.