PCH Reopened, Cypress Tree Removed In South Laguna Beach: Police

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Police reopened the Pacific Coast Highway at Aliso Beach where a downed Cypress tree blocked lanes for hours, police said. The road reopened at just before 4:30 p.m.

At just before 2 p.m. on Friday, a tree was reported down in lanes on Pacific Coast Highway in south Laguna Beach according to officials.

"A tree blocked the #1 and #2 southbound lanes of Coast Highway just South of Aliso Beach," police reported.

Drivers in the area were advised to avoid Coast Highway, south of Aliso Beach until Public Works is able to remove the tree from the roadway.

According to area residents, the tree was a California Cypress tree that was one of the oldest trees in the city of Laguna Beach.

"Remember, in rainy conditions to turn on your head lights when using your windshield wipers," police said.

The Cypress tree was an old growth conifer growing on Camel Point. It collapsed onto a residence, then tumbled to the roadway according to reports from the scene.

Photo, Martin Hale