Stop-Work Orders Halt PUSD Tree Removals Amid Contaminated-Soil Cleanup Fight

Pasadena Unified is facing pushback from the City of Pasadena and local advocates over its plan to remove trees during contaminated-soil remediation at 11 fire-impacted school sites. PUSD says testing found lead, arsenic, chromium, PAHs, and dioxins/furans above state screening levels and that soil removal is needed to reopen campuses safely for the 2026–27 school year. The district originally planned to remove 193 trees, later agreeing to preserve up to 57 protected trees. The City has issued stop-work orders at seven sites, citing Pasadena’s Tree Protection Ordinance. Advocates argue PUSD should consider alternatives that preserve more trees, while PUSD says removing contaminated soil is necessary to protect student health.
Pasadena Star News