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RETENTION OR REMOVAL OF CITY TREES
The purpose of this policy is to establish definitive standards for the retention, removal,
maintenance, reforestation, and supplemental trimming of City trees. City trees are an
important part of the character and charm of the entire City. Regular care, trimming,
maintenance and programmed replacement are necessary to preserve this charm while
at the same time protecting public and private property.
SPECIAL CITY TREES
It is the City's policy to retain City trees categorized as landmark, dedicated, or
neighborhood trees, which contribute to and give character to an entire neighborhood.
Landmark, dedicated, and neighborhood trees are identified on Attachment 1, and shall
hereinafter be referred to as Special Trees. Trees within these categories shall be
established, mapped, recorded and administered by the Parks, Beaches & Recreation
Commission ( "Commission ").
Special Trees shall be retained, unless there are overriding problems, such as death,
disease, or the creation of a hazardous situation, which require their removal. Prior to
consideration for removal of Special Trees, the General Services Director, or designee,
shall prepare a report identifying and implementing specific treatment to retain the
tree(s). If specific treatment is unsuccessful in retaining a tree(s) then a full report shall
be made to the Commission before any further action considering removal is taken.
Prior to any removal of Special Trees, the City must comply with the noticing
provisions of the Removal of City Trees section set forth in this Policy, unless a tree is
considered hazardous that necessitates an emergency removal. Any such removal
requires the approval of the City Manager.
During normal sidewalk, curb, and street repair activity requiring root pruning, all
steps shall be taken to retain Special Trees. If tree roots are to be pruned in association
with sidewalk, curb, and gutter improvements, sufficient timing in advance must be
planned to ensure that pruning will not destabilize or kill the tree. If both sides of a
tree's roots are to be pruned, one side should be pruned 6 months to a year in advance
of the other side depending upon the species and other related factors. If root pruning
methods are not practical and /or critical to the health of the tree, then alternate or
special hardscape improvements shall be installed by the City in order to retain the tree.
All proposed root pruning shall be assessed by the Urban Forester.
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ALL OTHER CITY TREES
It is the City's policy to retain all other City trees unless removal is necessary for one of
the following reasons:
A. The City tree has had a proven and repeated history (defined as two or more
occurrences within an 18 -month period) of damaging public or private sewers,
water mains, roadways, sidewalks, curbs, walls, fences, underground utilities, or
foundations based on City records or other competent and reliable authority
despite specific treatment by the City to alleviate repeated damage. Water or
sewer stoppage that results from tree roots and causes significant documented
private property damage (greater than $500) shall be sufficient criterion for tree
removal. Regular drain or pipe clearing shall not constitute such damage, nor
shall damage attributed to a failure by the property owner to perform such
preventive maintenance.
B. The City tree has had a repeated history (defined as two or more occurrences
within an 18 -month period) of significant interference with street or sidewalk
drainage, despite specific treatment by the City to alleviate repeated damage.
C. The City tree is dead, diseased, dying, or hazardous, and presents a significant •
liability to the City. Diseased trees are defined as those trees that cannot be
cured by current arboricultural methods, are in an advanced state of decline, and
have no prospect of recovery. Dying trees are those that have no prospect of
recovery. Hazardous trees are defined as those that are defective, have a
potential to fail, and would cause damage to persons and property upon failure.
The Urban Forester will perform a hazard assessment whenever a tree is
identified as hazardous. The assessment will identify: structural defects of the
tree, parts of the tree most likely to fail, targets where imminent personal injury
or property damage may result with tree failure, and procedures or actions
necessary to abate the hazard.
D. The tree(s) have been requested to be removed in conjunction with a City
Council- approved City, commercial, neighborhood, or community association
beautification program.
E. The City Manager, upon the advice of the Risk Manager or Traffic Engineer, shall
have the authority to remove trees to resolve claims or safety issues.
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REMOVAL OF CITY TREES
The initiation to remove any City tree may be made by the General Services
Department, Public Works Department, a legally established community association, or
a private property owner by making application to the General Services Director.
After receipt of the application a tree inspection report shall be prepared by the City's
Urban Forester (Attachment 2) to determine if the tree(s) meets the criteria outlined in
the above All Other City Trees section for consideration for removal. Simultaneously,
the Urban Forester shall provide a notice of the proposed tree removal to the affected
property owner, the owners immediately adjacent to the applicant's property, and the
appropriate community association if applicable, (not applicable to the emergency
removal of hazardous trees with trees under Item C above). The Urban Forester shall
determine whether in his /her judgment additional specific treatment can be initiated to
retain the tree. If a tree(s) is to be removed, the tree(s) will be posted at least 30 days
prior to the removal with a sign notifying the public that they have the right of appeal.
The sign shall also note a staff contact. Once a recommendation is made by the Urban
Forester and the Park and Tree Superintendent to the General Services Director and the
General Services Director or designee concurs, then the applicant, the adjoining owners,
and the community association, if applicable, shall be notified of the decision to remove
or retain the tree within 30 days of the proposed removal. The General Services
Director, or his designee, shall report at a regularly scheduled PB &R Commission
meeting of all trees recommended for removal using the Trees Division Activities
Report, except for those trees categorized in Paragraph C in the preceding section on
All Other City Trees. An applicant, an adjoining property owner, or any interested
party may appeal the decision of the General Services Director to the Commission. The
Commission, in considering any appeal, shall determine whether the removal meets the
criteria outlined in this Policy, as well as any unique factors which may be pertinent to
the removal or retention of tree(s). The decision of the Commission will be considered
final unless called up by at least one Councilmember or the City Manager. The General
Services Department will delay any tree removal(s) for at least 14 calendar days
following the date of the Commission decision in order to allow time for a
Councilmember or the City Manager to call the item.
The City will endeavor to replace all trees removed in accordance with the All Other
City Trees removal criteria. Replacement trees will be a minimum of a 24" boxed size.
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REFORESTATION OF CITY TREES
The concept of systematically replacing trees which are creating hardscape and /or view
problems and cannot be properly trimmed, pruned or modified to alleviate the
problems they create, or those which have reached their full life and are declining in
health, is referred to as reforestation.
It is recognized and acknowledged that City trees were planted many years ago and in
some cases were planted with specific species that when fully mature cause damage to
curb, gutter, sidewalk or underground utilities. In certain neighborhoods, City street
trees may encroach into blue water views from public and private property depending
on the length of time since the trees were last trimmed, or the age and height of the
trees.
Arborists continue to develop lists of tree species which will grow in restricted parkway
areas without causing significant damage to curb, gutter, sidewalk, utilities or views.
As a City which understands the importance of trees and the beauty they bring to a
community, the City desires to continually improve the urban forest through
reforestation. In areas where City trees have been removed through City initiation, the •
City should expeditiously replace them with the appropriate designated City tree.
Reforestation may also be initiated by residents utilizing the process outlined below.
Individual private property owners, as well as community associations, may apply for
single or multiple tree reforestation in their respective area by submitting a request to
the General Services Director for consideration by the Commission that meets the
following requirements:
A. The proposed area must have clearly defined contiguous boundaries that include
the tree(s) proposed for removal and replacement, street address(es), block
number(s), or other geographical information. This section applies to individual
and group requests.
B. Residential communities, neighborhoods or business organizations must submit
a petition signed by a minimum of 60% of the property owners within the area
defined for reforestation. A neighborhood is defined for the purposes of this
policy as ten or more homes in any given area of the City. As an alternative,
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areas represented by a legally established community association empowered
with CC&R's, may submit a resolution of the Board of Directors formally
requesting a reforestation with a statement that all members of the community
association having their residential views affected, have been officially notified
and given an appropriate opportunity to respond before the Board voted on the
request. Individual private property owners living within a legally established
community association area empowered with CC &R's must petition for
reforestation through their respective association.
C. Individual private property owners not residing within a CC &R based
community association area may submit individual requests for single or
multiple tree reforestation. The applicant must submit a petition signed by a
minimum of 60% of the residents within a one block distance in either direction
from the reforestation site as well as the endorsement of the appropriate
homeowners' association, if aplicable.
D. A written agreement must be submitted by the petitioning sponsor (individual
private property owners or group) to pay 100% of the costs of the removal and
replacement of the public trees in advance of any removal activity. The actual
removal and replanting will be coordinated by the General Services Department.
The total costs shall include only the contractor's removal and replacement costs
and be paid in advance of any removal actions.
E. The replacement tree(s) for reforestation shall be the designated street tree(s) as
prescribed by City Council Policy G -6, or the organization must request and
obtain approval from the Commission of the designation of a different tree
species prior to submitting any reforestation request. This section applies to
individual or group requests.
F. There shall be a minimum of a one - for -one replacement of all trees removed in
reforestation projects. Replacement trees shall be a minimum size of 36" boxed
trees, unless the parkway space will only accommodate a 24" boxed tree. If there
is not room for the replacement tree within a specific site as prescribed by City
Council Policy G -6, then the replacement tree shall be planted in the same
neighborhood. This section applies to individual or group requests.
The decision of the Commission on reforestation requests will be considered final unless
called up by at least one Councilmember or the City Manager.
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The City shall require the proper care and watering of replacement trees to ensure their
proper growth and development as outlined in City Council Policy G-6. Furthermore,
no person shall tamper with replacement trees in violation of Section 13.08.040 of the
Municipal Code.
All encroachment permits (permits for private property development which has
encroached upon the City right of way) that involve the removal or replacement of City
trees must be specifically noticed by the property owner to City staff prior to the
building and /or demo permit process whenever possible. The proposed construction
plans must indicate preservation of existing City trees wherever possible (exempt: dead,
dying, or in an advanced state of decline). if the proposed development, as deemed by
the General Services Director, requires removal of City trees, the property owner may
submit a reforestation request and shall pay all related removal and replacement costs
as indicated in the previous paragraphs.
TREE TRIMMING STANDARDS/ SUPPLEMENTAL TRIMMING
The City Council has adopted tree trimming cycles for trees of different ages and
species. The current tree trimming cycles and trimming standards represent the
maximum feasible frequency and extent of trimming given current fiscal conditions. •
Except as provided in this Section, trimming shall be in accordance with the standards
of the International Society of Arboriculture (1SA).
The City will consider, and as a general rule approve, requests to trim certain trees
more frequently or to trim trees consistent with practices applied prior to the adoption
of 1SA standards (to enhance public and private views, preserve required
sight /distance standards, or other public purposes) which are submitted by affected
residents or the board of a legally established community association and the request is
accompanied by a completed "Supplemental Tree Trimming Form' and full payment.
However, since these practices often require 'topping' or severe disfiguring of a tree and
are often aesthetically displeasing and injurious to a tree, reforestation shall be
considered once this practice has occurred more than twice within a one year period.
The General Services Director shall establish procedures to implement the supplemental
trimming provisions of this Policy. An approval must be obtained from a legally
established association by the requestor in areas with an active homeowners'
association.
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Attachment 1- Preservation of Special Trees]
Attachment 2- Tree Inspection Report]
Adopted - May 9,1966
Amended - August 14,1967
Amended - November 9,1976
Amended - November 12,1985
Amended - November 28,1988
Amended - March 14,1994
Formerly I -9
Amended - April 11, 1994
Amended - February 26,1996
Amended - July 14,1997
Amended (Administratively) -
November 24,1997
Amended - August 10, 1998
Amended - February 22, 2000
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PRESERVATION OF SPECIAL TREES
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TREES Balboa Library Eucalyptus globulus
Balboa Library Phoenix canariensis
West Jetty (near Historical Marker) Phoenix canariensis
Dover Drive at Westcliff Liquidambar styraciflua
400 block Poinsettia Eucalyptus corynocalyx
Ocean Blvd. Corona del Mar Phoneix canariensis
Westcliff & Dover (Groves) Eucalyptus globulus
Main Street (between East Bay Ficus nitida
Ave. and Balboa Blvd.)
DEDICATED
TREES No. Mariners Park (Marcie Schrouder) Pinus radiata
Mariners Park (Frank Tallman) Pinus radiata
No. City Hall grounds (Billy Covert) Ficus benjamina
City Hall grounds (Walter Knott) Pinus halepensis
City Hall grounds
Calif. Bicentennial) Pinus halepensis
Las Arenas Park (Ed Healy) Melaleuca linarifolia
Mariners Park (Isy Pease) Pinus halepensis
City Hall grounds
U.S. Bicentennial Freedom Tree) Harpephyllum caffrum
Buffalo Hills Park (Bahia
Community Earth Day Celebration) Erythrina caffra
Peninsula Park
Gray Lunde Memorial Tree) Chamaerops humilis
Cliff Drive Park Quercus agrifolia
Gary Lovell)
Begonia Park Prunus cerasifera
Cheryl Bailey Ringwald)
Castaways Park Quercus agrifolia
Jan Vandersloot)
Jean Watt)
Peninsula Park Ravenea rivularis
Don Perdue)
Grant Howald Park
1 (Pete Munro)
2 (Mark Munro)
Attachment 1
Metrosideros excelsus
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DEDICATED Bob Henry Park Ficus Rubiginosa
TREES (contd.) (Bob Henry)
Cliff Drive Park Quercus agrifolia
Dr. Jan Vandersloot)
Veterans Park Lagenstroemia
Rosemary Rae Hill Hansen) indica faueri
Mariners Park Stenocarpus
N. Beach Sunrise Rotary Club) sinuatus
Christopher & Marisha Thompson) Pinus eldarica
Meghan & Camielle Thompson) Pinus eldarica
West Newport Park Spathodea campanulata
Brownie Girl Scout Troop 2072)
Buffalo Hills Park Stenocarpus sinuatus
N. Beach Sunrise Rotary Club)
Castaways Park Quercus agrifolia
Nancy & Jack Skinner)
Bob & Susan Caustin)
Bayside Park Pyrus calleryana
Newport - Irvine Rotary Club)
Castaways Park Quercus agrifolia
Eva Victoria Najera)
Begonia Park Bauhinia blakeana
Dr. Leo V. Turgeon)
L Street Park Cassis leptophylla
Tim Van Ostenbridge)
Castaways Park Platanus racemosa
John D. Woodruff)
Grant Howald Park Cassis leptophylla
Jean & Coalson Morris)
Old School Park Cassis leptophylla
Jean & Coalson Morris)
Mariners Park Bauhinia variegata
Sierra Beth)
Cliff Drive Park Cassis leptophylla
Frances P. Hemenway)
Grant Howard Park Hymenosporum flavum
Skipper Mark Howes)
U
Attachment 1 2 49
NEIGHBORHOOD
TREES Parkway in Shorecliffs Erythrina caffra
Marguerite Avenue Phoenix canariensis
Goldenrod Avenue Washington robusta
Dover Drive (Mariners to Irvine) Eucalyptus globulus
15th Street (Newport Heights) Eucalyptus cladocalyx
Irvine Avenue Median Eucalyptus globulus
Holiday between Irvine & Tustin Eucalyptus globulus
Along Avon Avenue Eucalyptus globulus
Via Lido Bridge Eucalyptus globulus
Marine Avenue (Balboa Island) Eucalyptus rudis
Seaview Avenue (Corona del Mar) Pinus radiata
Poppy Avenue (Corona del Mar) Eucalyptus rudis
Heliotrope Avenue (Corona del Mar) Pinus radiata
Candlestick Lane, etc. (Baycrest) Eucalyptus citriodora
Commodore Eucalyptus citriodora
Starlight Eucalyptus citriodora
Glenwood Eucalyptus citriodora
Candlestick Eucalyptus citriodora
Sandalwood Eucalyptus citriodora
Adopted - May 9,1 %6
Amended - November 9,1976
Amended - November 28,1988
Amended - October, 1993
Amended - July 14,1997
Amended - January 25,1999
Amended - February 22, 2000
Amended - April 23, 2002
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