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Urban Forest Master Plan 

We want to hear your feedback and vision for the future of the City's trees!

The purpose of the Urban Forest Master Plan is to provide a vision for the future of the City's urban forest, including private and public trees, and provide recommendations for maintenance, planting, and management of our urban forest.

Want to share your thoughts on the current state of the City's trees and vision for the future? Take our online survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SSFCommunitySurvey

 

You can view the presentation for the March 26 Community Meeting by clicking here. 

UFMP Presentation Coversheet

CIRCLE 3.0 FREE TREE PROGRAM: ATTENTION PARADISE VALLEY AND PECK'S LOT NEIGHBORS!  

 Canvassing flyer

 

Circle 3.0 logo

Are you a resident of the Paradise Valley or Peck's Lot neighborhoods? The City of South San Francisco has received a grant to plant 200 street trees in the Paradise Valley and Peck’s Lot neighborhoods, and we are asking for your assistance by adopting a FREE 15-gallon street tree as part of the Circle 3.0 program. 
Part of the California Urban Forestry Council’s Invest from the Ground Up tree planting program, Circle 3.0 is California’s Initiative to Reduce Carbon and Limit Emissions, and the City of South San Francisco is excited to partner with West Coast Arborists to bring this wonderful opportunity to our community! As you may be aware, there are many benefits to having trees in your neighborhood such as increasing your home’s value, beautifying your street, traffic calming, trapping air pollution, and improving public health.
Trees may be planted in this neighborhood, either in front of your home or on the side, in the City’s easement. Additional trees on the north side of Randolph Avenue between Highland Avenue and North Spruce Avenue will also be available for adoption.   Adopting and caring for the tree is as easy as watering it weekly. West Coast Arborists and City staff will maintain the tree, including monitoring and trimming. Trees will be planted on April 20, 2019 as part of an Arbor Day Planting volunteer event.  A call for volunteers will be advertised soon.
We will be hosting an informational workshop on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Maintenance Services Yard located at 550 North Canal Street, South San Francisco. Please join us and encourage your friends and neighbors to attend. 
To RSVP for this informational workshop please respond via email at Circle3.0@ssf.net no later than November 9, 2018. 
Not a Paradise Valley or Peck's Lot Neighborhood Resident? West Coast Arborists is rolling out a tree giveaway program for smaller 3 gallon sized trees. Visit their website here for details: http://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/#Home.
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See our Frequently Asked Questions, by clicking here. 

 

DocumentPruning or Removing City Trees

The pruning or removing of City trees is completed by City Staff. City maintained trees may be on land owned by the City, City Right of Ways, or in front of homes and commercial property within the City tree easement. Service is usually restricted, but not limited, to those trees originally planted by the City. Requests for either of these services may be made by contacting our Parks Division at (650) 829-3837. Service is based upon need or necessity. For instance; storm emergencies, traffic and safety needs, and projects have priority over cosmetic or aesthetic needs.

Tree Preservation Ordinance

The City of South San Francisco is endowed and forested with a variety of healthy and valuable trees which must be protected and preserved. The preservation of trees is essential to the health, welfare and quality of life of the citizens of our City because these trees preserve the scenic beauty of our City, maintain ecological balance, prevent erosion of top soil, counteract air pollution and oxygenate the air, absorb noise, maintain climatic and microclimatic balance, help block wind, and provide shade and color.

For these reasons, the City of South San Francisco has adopted a new Tree Preservation Ordinance. Under this ordinance essentially no “protected tree” shall be removed or pruned without a permit. Applications for a permit can be downloaded by clicking here.

What is a "protected tree"?

  • Any tree of the following species with a circumference of 75" or more when measured 54" above natural grade
    • Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
    • Black Acacia (Acacia melanoxylon)
    • Myoporum (Myoporum laetum)
    • Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
    • Glossy Privet (Lingustrum lucidum)
    • Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra)
  • Any heritage tree of the following species with a circumference of 30" or more when measured at 54" above natural grade
    • California Bay (Umbellaria californica)
    • Oak (Quercus spp.)
    • Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
    • California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
    • Catalina Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus var. asplenifolius)
    • Strawberry Tree (Arbutus spp.)
    • Mayten (Maytenus boaria)
    • Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem')
  • Any tree other than the species listed above with a circumference of 48" or more when measured 54" above natural grade
  • A tree or stand of trees so designated based upon findings that it is unique and of importance to the public due to its unusual appearance, location, historical significance
  • A stand of trees whereby each tree is dependent upon the others for survival

If you're ever unsure if you need a permit, call the Parks Division Office at (650) 829-3837 and we'll be happy to assist you.

What is the difference between pruning and trimming?

  • Pruning means the removal of more than one third of the crown or existing foliage of the tree or more than one third of the root system.
  • Trimming means the removal of less than one third of the crown or existing foliage of the tree or less than one third of the root system. Trimming a protected tree is allowed without a permit.

How much does a permit cost?

  • The fee for a tree removal/pruning permit is $100 per tree. A $350 refundable deposit is also required for removals. Refunds are made after all replanting conditions are met.

Penalty for violation:

In addition to any other penalties allowed by law, any person removing, pruning, abusing, or mutilating a tree in violation of this chapter shall be liable for damages equal to twice the replacement value of the tree, as determined by the International Society of Arboriculture Standards, or by a city arborist determined by the director as being qualified to make this assessment.

Where do I get a permit or obtain more information on the Tree Preservation Ordinance?

What are the best kind of trees to plant in the City of South San Francisco?

 

To learn more about urban trees, please visit:

Tips on Proper Tree Care

 

Purchase a Tree at Wholesale Prices Through us!

Are you interested in purchasing a tree for your home? Parks staff can help you select and purchase trees at wholesale prices through our vendors. If you're interested in this no cost service, please contact us at (650)-829-3837.

 

Homeowner Tree Care Accidents

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) conducted an analysis of 62 civilian tree care-related accidents reported by the media from January 2017 to June 2018. TCIA is a trade association that promotes professional tree care and discourages homeowners from taking unnecessary risks caring for their trees themselves.

While these numbers are not representative of all – or even most – tree care accidents involving non-professionals, they provide insight into the types of hazards homeowners are likely to encounter while attempting tree work.

The findings were grim: Forty-one of the accidents (66 percent) were fatal.

"Homeowners may not realize how dangerous tree work can be, and how much they're risking by taking the 'do-it-yourself' approach," says Peter Gerstenberger, senior advisor for safety, standards and compliance for TCIA. "Lack of training, equipment or situational awareness undoubtedly contributed to these incidents, which could have been avoided by hiring a professional tree care company."

The median age of the victim was 43, and the oldest victim was 85. The youngest reported victim was a 2-year-old toddler who was 50 feet away when the tree his father was cutting fell the wrong way, tragically, striking and killing the child. Four of the 41 victims, including the 2-year-old, were uninvolved bystanders.

Most homeowners were struck by a tree while attempting to fell it, or were hit by limbs, wires or chain saws. Others fell or were electrocuted. Chart A provides more details on the accidents.

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In two-thirds of all cases where it could be determined, the victims undertook hazardous tree work with nobody to spot them, nobody to assist them and nobody to advise them when it might have been prudent to stop and seek out an expert.

What can you do?

Find a professional.

A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best course of action to care for and maintain the trees and shrubs in your landscape. An easy way to find a tree care service provider in your area is to use the "Find A Tree Care Company" program. You can use this service by calling 1-800-733-2622 or by doing a ZIP Code search on www.treecaretips.org.

 

(SOURCE: TCIA)