Pasadena Begins Court Authorized Inspections at John Muir High as Tree Dispute Escalates

Pasadena officials said Friday the city has begun court-authorized inspections at John Muir High School after the Pasadena Unified School District continued removing trees on multiple campuses despite posted stop work orders.

PUSD confirmed that City personnel arrived at the John Muir campus with an inspection warrant tied to the City’s tree ordinance. The District said it is complying with the warrant and providing access while maintaining safety protocols around active soil removal areas.

City officials said Pasadena had made “numerous attempts” to work cooperatively with PUSD to resolve the dispute over tree removals at several district sites. Despite those efforts, officials said, PUSD continued removal work “at various locations in violation of posted stop work orders.”

The District said it does not agree that the tree removals fall under city jurisdiction, asserting that the state overseen soil removal and restoration work “is not subject to the City’s tree ordinance,” a legal question the parties are still discussing.

The city sought and received authorization from Los Angeles County Superior Court to conduct inspections through an inspection warrant. It began inspections with a certified arborist to determine which trees are protected and assess any damage or removals.

City officials said their goal “has been, and continues to be,” to work cooperatively with PUSD to mediate the process and continue inspections.

Councilmember Rick Cole said he hopes the District will collaborate with the City, adding, “This should never have escalated to this level.”

PUSD said it “remains willing to work constructively with City leadership as the work moves forward.”