January 2026

Lost Trees of Altadena Return Home

By LuCinda Haagenson
Posted: 01/28/2026

I love trees! I have taken pictures of the tallest, the widest, the oldest and even dead trees that remain standing. I see beauty and determination there. On Tuesday, January 12, Jeff Perry, founder of Angel City Lumber (https://www.angelcitylumber.com) and Altadena Reciprocity Project, gave a presentation about the lost trees of Altadena, meaning those that partially burned in the Eaton Fire. Perry said, “Altadena trees have a soul.”

Angel City Lumber (ACL) is a local mill in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood of Los Angeles. They have been in business there for 10 years. Their purpose is to love and honor local trees. Their vision is to re-localize lumber. The mission of the Altadena Reciprocity Project (ARP) is: To transform Eaton Fire logs into affordable lumber to ensure the spirit of Altadena lives on throughout the building process and into perpetuity.  He will supply the rebuilders the homeowners have hired; the makers of tables, chairs and various furniture items; and the architects of Altadena. This would be a direct benefit of 30-40% reduced costs for rebuilding. ARP shares and understands the emotional and spiritual connection to Altadenans and their trees and how they have shaped Altadena. He also stated that he will supply every homeowner with a cutting or charcuterie board.

Jeff has leased property from Las Flores Water District at Lake Avenue and Loma Alta. He contacted the Army Core of Engineers to take fallen and removed trees to the Lake Avenue property. He will mill and dry wood there as soon as the County gives him a zoning variance. There is potential for millwork for 500 homes. Unfortunately, the logs are deteriorating while waiting for the zoning variance.

Jeff mentioned people naming their trees, which got several people talking about their tree names. He mentioned how great it is to have a table, a chair, or bench made from your fallen tree. He hopes in the future to have a QR code attached to each piece of lumber, which would tell the kind of tree, where it grew, and a picture of it when it was growing.

Villager Valerie Jones stated, “I was very impressed with Angel City Lumber. The idea of using Altadena trees for Altadenans who are rebuilding is unique and thoughtful. I was also very impressed with the speaker’s professional knowledge and his understanding of what Altadena residents have been through.”

I have three old trees in my yard. Two are large oaks of great age. One is a regal Liquidambar, named Alexandria. She is sixty feet tall and, in the autumn, puts on a very colorful show before she strips naked. She then goes by the name Lexie, while she stands there naked until springtime adds leaves. 

I will call Angel City Lumber if anything ever happens to my trees!