Los Angeles investigating after trees used for shade by SAG-AFTRA strikers were trimmed by NBCUniversal

The Los Angeles City Controller's office is investigating after several trees near Universal Studios property were trimmed — trees that were providing shade and relief from the blistering heat for striking members of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA.

The city controller, Kenneth Mejia, announced the office's investigation Tuesday on Twitter, sharing before and after photos of the trees — the before showing fuller trees with leaves and the after showing the trees' barren limbs.

"Our Office is investigating the tree trimming that occurred outside Universal Studios where workers, writers, and actors are exercising their right to picket," Mejia wrote. "The trimmed trees are LA City managed street trees."