El Pino (The Pine Tree) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Pino |
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El Pino
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 El Pino
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
El Pino
Location in California
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| Species | Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya pine) |
| Location | East Los Angeles, California |
| Coordinates | 34°02′36″N 118°11′33″W / 34.0432°N 118.1924°W |
| Date seeded | Unknown |
| Custodian | Art Gastelum |
El Pino, which means "The Pine Tree" in Spanish, is a very tall bunya pine tree. This special type of pine originally comes from Australia. You can find El Pino in East Los Angeles, California, at the corner of Folsom Street and N. Indiana Street. It stands proudly on a small hill, looking over the Wellington Heights and Boyle Heights neighborhoods.
Contents
The Story of El Pino
Dr. Okuno's Legacy
This amazing bunya pine tree grows on land that once belonged to Dr. Okuno. He was a Japanese American dentist. During World War II, many Japanese Americans, including Dr. Okuno, were sent to special camps. After he was released, a kind lady gave him this land as a gift.
Dr. Okuno rebuilt his dental practice there. He also collected a huge library of books. When he retired, he loved to walk around East Los Angeles. He would greet everyone and tell fun stories to children. Dr. Okuno was even listed in the California Who's Who, a book about important people in California.
A Rumor and Community Action
In December 2020, on a day known for pranks (Día de los Inocentes), a rumor spread online. People heard that a company wanted to cut down El Pino to build new houses. Even though the rumor was false, it made many local people very upset.
They quickly started a petition to "save El Pino from being cut down." Art Gastelum, who owns the property where the tree stands, quickly told everyone that he had no plans to cut it down. He reassured the community that El Pino was safe.
El Pino: A Local Symbol
A Living Monument
For the people of East Los Angeles, El Pino is more than just a tree. It is a living monument that represents the many different cultures in the area. East Los Angeles is known for having a very large Hispanic American population.
Standing Strong for the Community
In recent years, El Pino has also become a powerful symbol. It represents the community's strength against gentrification. Gentrification is when an older neighborhood changes, often becoming more expensive. This can sometimes push out long-time residents. El Pino reminds people to stand together and protect their neighborhood's unique spirit.
See Also
