San Vicente Boulevard · SANTA mONICA and Los Angeles
San Vicente's Living Canopy
Planted by a Community. Preserved for Generations.
Our mission
Guardians of a Living Legacy
Beginning in 1949, neighbors and civic leaders planted coral trees along the former Red Car right-of-way on San Vicente Boulevard. Over the decades, those young trees grew into a magnificent living corridor through Santa Monica and Brentwood. Their arching canopies, brilliant coral-red blossoms and sculptural forms have made the boulevard a beloved community landmark.
The San Vicente Coral Tree Conservancy is dedicated to protecting, restoring and celebrating this extraordinary urban forest. We bring residents, arborists, civic leaders and community partners together to secure proper care for the surviving trees, restore the historic canopy through thoughtful replanting and preserve this treasured landscape for generations to come.
75+ years
A living landmark on San Vicente Boulevard
The community-led planting began in 1949. Over the decades, the young coral trees grew into the historic canopy that has defined San Vicente Boulevard for generations.
Erythrina caffra
Native to coastal southeastern Africa
The South African coral tree is drought tolerant once established and well suited to Southern California’s mild coastal climate. Its brilliant coral-red blossoms emerge in late winter and early spring, often before the new leaves appear.
L.A. Landmark
Official city tree and Historic-Cultural Monument
Los Angeles designated the coral tree as its official city tree in 1966. Ten years later, the Brentwood portion of the San Vicente coral tree corridor was protected as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 148.
Stewardship in Action
How We Protect the Trees
01
Water and Soil Health
Healthy trees begin with healthy roots. We advocate for reliable irrigation, sustained deep watering, appropriate mulching and relief of severe soil compaction so water can reach the trees’ root systems.
02
Expert Care and Accountability
We consult independent arborists and advocate for regular, transparent assessments of the entire corridor. Proper care must include species-appropriate pruning, careful pest management and timely intervention when trees show signs of stress
03
Preservation and Renewal
We document the corridor’s history, pursue historic recognition for the Santa Monica portion and build community support for its restoration. Our goal is to save every tree that can be saved and replant coral trees where the historic canopy has been lost.
Help Protect the Canopy
Whether you live along the boulevard, have memories of these trees or simply want to help preserve them, there is a place for you in this effort. Receive updates, join a community care day, share photographs and stories or lend your voice to the campaign to protect and restore this historic corridor.