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[ ARCHIVE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/archive)
# Begging for Help! Trying to Save the Last Living 100 Year Old Silver Maple … and the Bees … on Emelita (Video)
June 30 2014
Written by Carol Rippy.
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
***SHERMAN OAKS***-The last living Silver Maple Tree of those that once lined Emelita street planted over 100 years ago on the 14200 block ordered to be cut down (although healthy and no risk to anyone) in order to remove three 30 year old passive honey bee colonies.
Residents conduct protest and fight back against city policy to destroy native habitat and remove trees prior to investigating whether they pose a risk to anyone or any property.
Policy is in strict conflict with Backyard Honey Bee Box campaign which provides residents with privilege to have temporary bee hives - in contrast to decades old permanent colonies already in place which are being destroyed by the hundreds as well as the old growth trees in which they thrive.
LA City street department responds to 311 calls made by any person making a bee complaint by cutting down trees and suffocating honey bee colonies without verifying veracity of complaint, performing a cursory risk assessment, or identifying the type of bees it destroys.
Natural habitat is being decimated, hundreds of LA's oldest trees are vanishing, and millions of European honey bees vanishing across the Southland.
**One neighborhood in Sherman Oaks is begging for assistance** to save their beloved tree and its honey bees, and begging for a response from from LA City Councilman LaBonge and Parks Committee Chairman O'Farrell. A policy clarification and the intent of such a policy is requested by the residents.
**IMPORTANT INFO:**
The Sherman Oaks Residents call their campaign for LA City Council awareness of the situation - "Don't Be a Buzz Kill" and the video of their recent protest in Sherman Oaks **[can be seen here:](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Szhw6RCQ85Nm02MVFoVXo3dm8/edit?usp=sharing)**
Homeowner and Tree Owner: Carol Rippy
Campaign Volunteers - Madison Hindman, Betsy Dietrich, and Karen Cini
***Video and ‘call for help’ provided CityWatch by Don W. Hall.***
CityWatch
Vol 12 Issue 53
Pub: Jul 1, 2014
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