Trees

Robert Blechl BURBANK -- For the 10th year, Burbank residents will have an opportunity to return their Christmas trees to Mother Nature. Until Jan. 14, residents can drop their trees off at two park locations or place them in their city-provided green waste container for recycling. The trees will be composted, officials said. Trees placed in the green containers must be cut into four-foot lengths and all trimmings, tinsel, ornaments, tree stands and plastic buckets must be removed.

Laura Sturza When Jeanne Carino gave birth to her son Joel in March, she and her husband wanted to celebrate the event by planting a tree in front of their home. The city of Burbank helped them do it by sending forestry service workers Dan Deagon and Harold "Woody" Woods to plant a Chinese Flame Tree in front of the family's house Wednesday. The new parents heard of the city's program when their Spazier Avenue block had several new trees sprout up in recent weeks.

After 10-year-old Brennon Johnson helped plant and water his classroom's new tree at Ralph Emerson Elementary, he got down on his knees in praise. "All hail Harold!" he exclaimed, lifting his mud-caked hands to the sky in mock reverie. Teachers and parents at Emerson are hoping that Brennon's enthusiasm will last, as each of the 43 new trees being planted Friday and today will be left to the care of the school's students ? the trees are theirs to water, prune and name. Brennon, however, had gotten his tree's name wrong.

Robert Shaffer BURBANK -- Just in time for Y2K is the great Christmas tree famine of 1999. Noble firs, the most popular species of holiday tree sold in Southern California, are hard to find this year. "There is a shortage," said Gary Casella from his tree lot at Burbank High School. Casella, who has donated more than $100,000 to the school in the past eight years in exchange for the space, said the shortfall is not for lack of trying. "We just haven't been able to buy nobles," he said.

Jenna Bordelon MAGNOLIA PARK -- If you see the tree from far away, it easily dwarfs the homes and the other trees that line the 700 block of Brighton Street. If you come closer and crane your neck, its leafy green canopy is a reminder of summers past. But if you tap on its trunk, you hear an echo. The more than 60-year-old ash tree on the front edge of Andy Biser's property is full of termites. The bugs have eaten away the insides of the trunk and done their own version of tree trimming.

Molly Shore When the Beach Boys sang "Be True to Your School," Gary Casella must have been listening. For the past 14 years, Casella, a 1956 graduate of Burbank High School, has donated more than $129,000 in scholarships and gifts to his alma mater. In return, school administrators allowed Casella to set up his yearly Christmas tree lot on the northern end of the school's athletic field. "We're a complete Christmas tree operation here. We flock, we flame-proof, we deliver," Casella said.

Laura Sturza, People SUNLAND -- After a long walk by the ocean or in the park, which images leave you with the strongest impression? If you are a painter or someone who appreciates landscape paintings, your awareness of color, light and form can be developed with practice. Sunland artist and teacher Lucille DeThomas has dedicated herself to painting in vibrant colors, using an impressionistic quality inspired by Monet and Cezanne. For more than 25 years, she has mentored students who have gone on to win numerous awards, like their teacher.

Mayor Stacey Murphy will get some help from Santa Claus when she lights the city's holiday tree on the front steps of City Hall before Tuesday's City Council meeting. The annual Mayor's Tree-Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 275 E. Olive Ave. This year's theme is "Peace, Joy and Happiness." Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, will arrive aboard a Burbank Fire truck. The Burbank High School Choir will lead the Community Sing-Along at 7:30 p.m. in front of the customer service desk of the Media City Center, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd.

GLENDALE — High winds destroyed trees in a La Crescenta neighborhood Monday and fueled a deadly blaze that blackened more than 5,000 acres in the Tujunga area, forcing the closure of several freeways. The National Weather Service predicts the high winds will continue until noon today with a wind advisory until 3 p.m. High winds and low humidity have forced the weather service to issue a red flag warning until 10 p.m. Wednesday, said Bill Hoffer, the weather service’s Public Service Department spokesman.