Urban Forest News & FAQs
Upcoming Urban Forest Task Force meeting:
July 26, 2017 at the Santa Monica Main Library
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Santa Monica has been named a Tree City USA for the 36th year in a row! Our city also qualified for a 2016 Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. Learn more about Tree City USA and the Tree City USA Growth Awards here.
At their meeting on January 24th, 2017, City Council unanimously adopted the revisions to the Urban Forest Master Plan.
Over a period of ten months, city staff worked alongside a subcommittee of the Council-appointed Urban Forest Task Force to revise the Urban Forest Master Plan. You can view the first two chapters here and the street tree species designations list is here. The remaining appendices will be updated in spring 2017.
The 2011 Urban Forest Master Plan has been archived here.
Please contact 310-458-8974 or trees@smgov.net with any questions!
Guidelines for Tree Watering During a Drought
To help guide community tree watering efforts during a severe drought, the Urban Forest staff have created a guide titled "How to Help Urban Trees Survive A Drought." The City of Santa Monica recommends a four-step approach to assessing whether your trees need supplemental watering.
Please review the complete guide for expert input regarding these supplemental watering recommendations: young trees (less than 5 years since planted) and mature trees (more than 5 years since planted; "established"). You will learn how to assess trees and calculate the amount of water they need based on their size. Attached to the guide is also an Appendix of common trees found in Santa Monica. If your tree species is unknown, we recommend minimal supplemental watering.
Why Water Trees?
The City of Santa Monica has over 33,000 street and park trees. A 2015 research study by the U.S. Forest Service calculated these trees annually deliver $5.1 million dollars' worth of benefits to the community by cleaning the air, increasing property value, and reducing energy use among others. Research has also shown that a good level of tree cover can increase property value from 6% to 9%. Drought directly threatens urban trees, as water is required for healthy growth and functioning. A lack of water causes high levels of stress, increases susceptibility to pathogen attack and can cause eventual death.
To appeal the removal of a public tree in Santa Monica, please fill out the Tree Removal Appeal Application.
Guidelines for Ficus berry clean-up in Santa Monica