UNDERSTANDING EL SEGUNDO’S URBAN FOREST

El Segundo’s Urban Forest consists of approximately 6,000 trees located in neighborhood parkways, medians, parks, open space, the golf course and public facilities. The estimated value of these often overlooked assets is 18 million dollars. All trees have been inventoried with the following data:

     . Tree Site Location
     . Tree Identification
     .  Diameter Range/Height Range
     . Condition
     . Utility Presence
     . Recommended Maintenance
     . Trim History

The city has five species which have proven to be undesirable for planting in parkways. These trees have caused severe damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveways, and sewer lines. Those specie are: Ficus, Liquidambar, Magnolia, Carob, and Olive. Although these trees are undesirable, we don’t remove them until they meet the removal criteria mentioned below.

In the industry, there is a motto “RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE”

CITY RESPOSIBILITY

The Urban Forest is managed by the Parks Division of the Recreation and Parks Department This includes overseeing tree maintenance such as trimming, planting, staking, removals if required and the future growth and development of El Segundo’s Urban Forest.

The city utilizes a city tree crew and a tree maintenance contractor, West Coast Arborist, for this tree maintenance. The City of El Segundo’s tree ordinance and tree policy documents may be found on the city of El Segundo’s website. (Insert Links)

RESIDENT RESPOSIBILITY

The resident is responsible for tree watering and tree liter clean up.

UNDERSTANDING TREE REMOVAL and TREE REPLACEMENT PROCESS

It is important to realize that like humans, trees also have a life expectancy and some of the older trees have seen many changes to their growing space. Depending upon location, a declining tree may become a liability rather than an asset.

1. When a request is made for removal of a parkway tree, consideration will be given to the aesthetic value of the tree to the neighborhood. If the tree is determined to be desirable, all other alternatives to removal will be employed, such as pruning and/or root pruning.
   
   
2. Criteria for tree removal includes the following:

   Trees that are dead, diseased, severe physical decline, dangerous or obstructive to public safety or travel, causing sewer line and infrastructure damage and/or continuous property damage.

3.  If the city determines that a tree removal is justified, a letter from the Recreation and Parks Department is sent to the resident and surrounding neighbors for removal notification. Any comments or appeal must be received within 14 days of thenotification letter date. Any comments or appeals will be forwarded to the Recreation and Parks Commission for a final decision. The exception to this notification process are trees that create an immediate hazard and require emergency removal.

4. As a tree is removed, a replacement tree will be planted in the same general location, unless that would be detrimental to the tree’s health. In this case, the Park Superintendent will determine an appropriate location for the replacement tree within the parkway.
   
   
5. Resident will be provided a list of recommended tree species to make a replacement tree selection.
   
   
6. Replacement trees will be a 24” box size. 36” box is available for an additional fee.

When trees are removed all the waste is recycled, including wood chips that are available free to residents at the city Maintenance Facility. Wood chips in your garden help retain moisture and reduces weed development.

CONTACT:  

Acting Park Maintenance Superintendent Santos Haro at 310-524-2893, sharo@elsegundo.org

The City of El Segundo provides the opportunity to dedicate a living commemorative tree and/or bench in memory of a loved one, organization or event within the Imperial Strip and Memory Row. Upon approval, Public Works staff will contact you to discuss location. Please read and complete the application and select all that apply.

 For questions or further information please contact Santos Haro at sharo@elsegundo.org

When removal of a street tree is necessary, the property owner will be given a choice from an approved tree list. Replacement trees will be a 24” box in size unless the property owner decides to pay for the difference to an upgraded size (36” Box). The city tree crew will plant the tree and secure it with proper staking. A plastic trunk guard will be installed on trees in turf areas to prevent damage from lawn maintenance equipment. In addition, we recommend maintaining a minimum of 12” turf clearance from the tree trunk.

The property owner is responsible for watering the tree. It is important to water the new tree regularly and deeply. This will insure that the tree roots grow deep. The typical spray irrigation system is not adequate for this deep watering. Spray irrigation typically only waters the top few inches of soil. The tree requires supplemental watering deep into the ground. This may be accomplished by utilizing a hose without a nozzle turned to a slow stream so that the water soaks into the ground rather than running off into the street. A 5 gallon bucket is another watering option. The key is slow and gently. Watering time will vary depending upon soil characteristics. For a newly planted tree, once a week is a good rule of thumb. However, during the summer, twice a week may be required. The soil berm around the base of the tree is provided at installation to help hold water around the drip zone of the tree.

The city is responsible for trimming and maintenance of the tree. This includes reviewing the staking and adjusting as needed, addressing any pests that may arrive and proper trimming. The first few of years trimming are generally the most important for long term tree structure. Tree stakes generally stay in place 1-2 years depending on tree species and rate of growth.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding trees, please contact Santos Haro at 310-524-2893, sharo@elsegundo.org

Staff is available to demonstrate proper watering techniques, review tree staking and evaluate tree health.

With your assistance, our goal is to provide a sustainable urban forest one tree at a time.

El Segundo Parkway Tree Palette 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - PARKWAY TREES

Q: How often does the City trim parkway trees?

A: Parkway trees are generally trimmed on a two year (fast growing trees) to five year (slow growing trees) cycle depending on the species of tree. The tree trimming is done per arboricultural standards for the health and safety of the trees and provide vertical clearance over the sidewalk and roadway for pedestrians and motorist.

Q: In what situations does the city remove parkway trees?

A: Parkway trees are a precious natural resource for the City, therefore trees are generally only removed when they are dead, diseased, dying, structurally unsound, damaging property or outgrown their current space and cannot be safely root pruned to accommodate an adjacent infrastructure repair. Public safety is most important in our decision making process. In cases where parkway trees are removed, replacement trees will be planted.

Q: May I select any kind of tree I want?

A: A homeowner may select from a list of recommended trees provided by the City that follow the City’s master street tree plan.

Q: Will the City plant a tree that I purchase myself?

A: No, the City is limited to trees provided for the parkway only 

Q: Who takes care of my parkway tree?

A: The City is responsible for maintaining parkway trees. These trees are trimmed to industry standard specifications. Watering and tree litter pick up is the responsibility of the property owner.

Q: When should I water the parkway tree?

A : Generally speaking trees require one inch of water per week when in leaf, either from rain or homeowner. Set a hose to trickle over the area within the drip line and move the hose periodically to cover as much of the root zone as possible. Care must be taken as over watering can kill the tree as well.

Q: Who do I contact to request a tree trimmed, tree removal or tree inspection?

A: Contact the Parks Department/Santos Haro at 310-524-2893 sharo@elsegundo.org to have the parkway tree evaluated and scheduled for service.

Q: May I request a larger tree than the 24”box the city offers?

A: Yes, a 36”box size is available although, the additional cost for the larger tree will be the responsibility of the homeowner.