The Great Los Angeles Tree Count: You Wouldn't Believe How Many Squirrels Witnessed This
Ah, Los Angeles. City of Angels, land of dreams, and...a surprising abundance of trees? That's right, folks, beneath the glitz, the glam, and the ever-present threat of earthquakes, L.A. boasts a thriving urban forest. But just how many trees are we talking about? Buckle up, because this is where things get nutty (pun very much intended).
Counting Those Crazy Critters: The Million Dollar Question (Well, Maybe More Like Ten)
The official word on the street (pun also intended) is that Los Angeles has over 10 million trees. Yes, you read that right. That's more trees than there are movie stars, screenwriters with writer's block, and aspiring YouTubers combined (and that's saying something).
But here's the thing, counting trees isn't exactly like counting Hollywood squares. These leafy lifeforms aren't exactly lining up for a headcount. So, how do we get an accurate picture of L.A.'s arboreal abundance?
Enter the Great Los Angeles Tree Count! Okay, that might be a bit dramatic. It probably involves some folks with clipboards and comfortable shoes, but you get the idea. This valiant effort gives us a decent estimate, but it's likely there are even more trees out there hanging out in backyards, parks, and hiding from overzealous selfie-takers.
Who Let the Public Trees In? The Publicly Maintained Woodlands
Now, not all of those 10 million trees are, well, public figures. The City of Los Angeles takes pride in maintaining a whopping 2 million trees lining its streets and parks. That's a whole lotta shade for weary pedestrians and a jungle gym paradise for squirrels with a taste for the finer things (like chewing on expensive car wires...but that's a story for another day).
These public trees are the envy of squirrels from other cities. Imagine, a neverending buffet of leaves and acorns, all conveniently located next to a neverending stream of dropped french fries. It's the California dream for a rodent, that's for sure.
So, How Many Trees Are There Really? The Answer Might Surprise You (Spoiler Alert: It's a Lot)
The truth is, nobody knows for sure exactly how many trees are in Los Angeles. It's a bit like counting grains of sand on Venice Beach (though thankfully less likely to get stuck between your toes). But here's the good news: there are a whole lot of them. Enough to provide shade, clean the air, and make even the most jaded Angeleno crack a smile on a sunny day.
So next time you're strolling down the streets of L.A., take a moment to appreciate the leafy giants lining your path. They may not be movie stars, but they're playing a starring role in keeping this city cool, clean, and maybe even a little bit quirky.
