PARKWAY TREE MAINTENANCE, REMOVAL, AND REPLACEMENT

City Council Policy establishes guidelines and procedures needed to provide for the care, maintenance, replacement, and protection of trees in order to promote the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for all city residents and visitors. This policy also establishes guidelines and procedures for the removal and replacement of parkway trees that present a public nuisance and are necessary for the health and welfare of the City. The property owner owns the parkway tree which is planted within the right-of-way. The City does, however, provide for the trimming of the parkway trees to maintain the appropriate clearance for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

GOALS
The City’s Tree Maintenance Program (tree program) provides a number of tree services, through the City’s Landscape Division and through a private contractor. These services include scheduled and unscheduled pruning, removal, planting, inspection, pest control, and emergency response. City and contractor personnel receive continual training in tree pruning, removal, planting, and pest control practices. The City of Fountain Valley Tree Foreman is a certified arborist, and many of the contractor’s employees are certified arborists and/or certified tree workers. The City’s tree program strives to achieve the following goals:

1. Establish and maintain optimal number of trees;
2. Maintain trees in a safe and healthy condition through good cultural practices;
3. Establish and maintain an optimal level of species diversity;
4. Promote conservation of tree resources;
5. Provide suitable locations for and select, situate, and maintain street trees to minimize hazard, nuisance, hardscape damage, and maintenance costs, with special consideration given to compatibility in commercial areas with regard to aesthetics and signage visibility; and,
6. Foster citizen support for local community forestry programs and encourage good tree management on privately owned properties.

One of the conditions of approval for the development and construction of residential tracts within the City was a requirement to plant a minimum of one parkway tree in front of every residence. Sustaining a city tree population will create a desirable environment for our residents and visitors.

The benefits of well maintained and healthy parkway trees include:

• Trees serve as sound barriers;
• Reduce heat islands;
• Reduce soil erosion and runoff;
• Release oxygen into the atmosphere;
• Absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases;
• Increase the aesthetic value of the neighborhood;
• Increase property values; and,
• Provide natural habitats for natural urban species.

GENERAL
Parkway trees can become a nuisance to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, as well as causing damage to waterlines, sewer lines, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. In such cases, property owners may request removal of the undesirable parkway tree from the Director of Public Works. The City’s Tree Foreman may also evaluate the condition of the tree in relationship to its surroundings and may make a recommendation that the tree needs to be removed and replaced.

DEFINITION OF UNDESIRABLE PARKWAY TREE
An undesirable tree includes any parkway tree when one or a combination of the following occurs:

1. Tree is dead;
2. Tree is diseased beyond cure;
3. Tree is causing damage to public property, curb, gutter, sidewalk,
   improvements and repairs cannot be accomplished without tree removal;
4. Tree is damaging, or will cause damage to, public improvements and maintenance procedures such as root pruning will either cause tree to fail/fall or will not prohibit future damage for a substantial period of years that justifies such maintenance costs;
5. Tree is damaged beyond reasonable repair costs; and/or,
6. Tree is found to be a public hazard and removal is necessary for health, safety and welfare of the community.

PROPERTY OWNER REQUESTED TREE REMOVAL
Tree removals requested by residents will be considered for approval by the Director of Public Works, when one or a combination of the following occurs:

1. When any one, or a combination of the categories listed above of this policy defining required tree removal occurs;
2. When a property owner has demonstrated, to the City’s satisfaction, that a tree in the parkway has caused damage to a private sewer line or other public substructures which cannot be repaired without tree removal;
3. When any of the above occurs and the City has budgeted funds available or other funding is identified to accomplish all work necessary, including but not limited to, tree removal, parkway/right-of-way repairs and tree replacement.

The Public Works/Field Services will assist property owners in the removal and replacement of undesirable parkway trees for a nominal fee.

• New Tree Installation Service. Property owner or a licensed contractor cuts down the tree and removes the stump and the roots. Property owner selects a replacement tree from the approved parkway tree list.
  $125 plus actual cost ($30) for a 15 gallon tree
• Stump Removal and Tree Replacement. Property owner cuts down the tree; City removes the stump and plants a replacement tree from the approved parkway tree list.
  $200 plus actual cost ($30) for a 15 gallon tree
• Complete Tree Removal and Replacement. The City removes the parkway tree and plants a replacement tree from the approved parkway tree list.
  $375 plus actual cost ($30) of a 15 gallon tree

NOTE: The City of Fountain Valley is not responsible for damage to any irrigation lines in connection with the removal of a tree or root structure. Repair of such lines is the responsibility of the property owner. The City of Fountain Valley is not responsible for the repair or replacement of any parkway turf, plant material or structures in connection with the removal of a tree or root structures.

Property owner shall maintain the tree including watering as needed and keep the parkway free from overgrown weeds or any obstructions contrary to public safety.

To request a parkway tree inspection, please call 593-4433.