Christmas Tree Lane (Photo – en.wikipedia.org).
When real estate magnate John P. Woodbury of the Woodbury Family, the founders of Altadena, set out to plant 134 deodar trees (Cedrus deodara) in1885, as a grand mile-long driveway entrance to a mansion that was never built, he did not envision the trees in the “driveway” to become Santa Rosa Avenue, and ultimately known as the “Christmas Tree Lane”.
By News Desk
Since 1920, the Christmas Tree Lane has become the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world (read full story here).
In 1979, a watering system was installed by the Los Angeles County that would be turned on in times of drought, in which Christmas Tree Lane volunteers would use to water the trees and keep them alive.
As of this year, the more than 130 year-old deodar trees on the Lane in Altadena are under severe drought stress. This year, the County of Los Angeles refused to turn the water on so that volunteers can save the the historic trees that are part of a California Historic landmark and part of California’s cultural heritage.
A petition online to save the “Christmas Tree Lane” trees from sever drought was created and seemed to be gaining track with residents and supporters alike.
The County restored water service to the Christmas Tree Lane Trees the following day.
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