TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager and all appropriate departments to report back within 90 days on establishing a citywide Tree Replacement Program that establishes standards and streamlined processes for maintaining the community's urban forest and promoting the health and safety of City trees, from the time they are planted through maturity.
DISCUSSION
If a resident wants a street tree in Long Beach, they can apply to Public Works for a permit to plant a tree from a City approved list, which they can then buy and plant themselves.
If they’re patient, however, residents can go through the Long Beach Office of Sustainability, which has a street tree planting program where residents can request individual trees be planted next to the sidewalk in front of their home with a wait time of about 6 months, give or take.
Development Services also has a tree planting program-I Dig Long Beach 10,000 Trees by 2022 initiative-where the Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau partners with neighborhood and community groups to help plant new street trees and volunteers plant them on a predetermined planting day thanks to funding by the Port and Cal Fire.
While these are all great options to improve the tree canopy throughout the City, what we lack is a dedicated tree replacement program or standards when trees are removed, especially by the City. For example, in District 5, street repairs have required the removal of a good number of heritage trees in neighborhoods with no budget, timeline or plan for their replacement. Heritage trees are characterized as trees with historical significance, special character, or community benefit. One day a resident has a tree in front of their house, the next day it’s slated for removal and they’re either stuck with the bill to replace it or find themselves at the bottom of the list for one of the City tree planting programs.
It just doesn’t seem fair or smart. Wouldn’t it be better if the trees were replaced as part of th...
Click here for full text