Perhaps the most important natural resource in Los Angeles is its native tree population. Although there are numerous important native trees, the Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) is by far the most prevalent and its habitat extends over a large portion of the city.

The City recognized one specific Coast Live Oak in the 1970's as one, due to its age and size, of particular importance. It was the Lang Oak and was located in the Louise Avenue median island 210' south of Ventura Boulevard . The tree was in excess of 300 years old. In the late 1970's, City urban foresters detected signs of Oak Root fungus on the tree. With careful management, the tree continued to remain relatively healthy. Unfortunately, in the El Nino winter of 1996/1997 during a particularly severe wind and rainstorm, the Lang Oak root system succumbed to the fungus and the majestic tree fell.

In commemoration, the City replanted the median island with Coast Live Oak trees and several other native tree species. The new trees have grown significantly and one of the Oak trees now reaches nearly thirty feet with an equal canopy spread. A large piece of the original tree still rests on-site as a reminder of what was lost.