Urban Forestry

Street Tree Planting

The City conducts street tree planting (and concrete removal if needed to establish tree basins) as needed throughout the City, as well as is requested by property owners.

Tree planting is typically done during the winter and spring months, while the ground is moist, allowing roots to develop and anchor the new tree. New trees will need regular watering during their first 3 years in order to develop a healthy and strong root system.

Street tree planting is now free for residents to request! Fees for planting will be covered by the City, in accordance with the intentions of the recently passed Measure DD Utility Users' Tax updates. (See also Resolution No. 2021-102(PDF, 2MB)). See Street Tree Planting for more information on resident-requested tree planting and how to apply.

All Street Tree Planting applications need to be received before December 1st to be considered for the current season's planting project. Applications received later than that will be added to the next season's planting list.

Street Tree Maintenance

Publicly-owned trees, or 'street trees' are the maintenance responsibility of the abutting property owner. However, the City may prune street trees where needed, with priority given to any emergency pruning, pruning for clearance, or other immediate needs (see Street Tree Maintenance for more info).

Please remember that watering is part of tree maintenance(PDF, 141KB)! Especially for young trees planted within the last 3 years. Older trees should get an occasional long, slow, deep watering during the summer months, during drought, and during excessive heat.

View more information about tree watering guidelines(PDF, 141KB).

Tree Care During Drought

Even and especially during periods of drought and water restrictions, our local water utility, East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD), advises us to keep our trees alive and water them as needed (see "Your Trees Need TLC"). You can download their tree watering guide here: "Caring for Trees in Drought(PDF, 302KB)".

Although trees provide many benefits for residents and for our environment, there may be good reason for a property owner to request that street tree to be removed.

Common tree issues that pose a risk to public health and safety include:

• Dead or dying trees, which may fall on a person, house, or car
• Types of trees such as American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) that are prone to sudden limb failure, which may similarly and unpredictably fall on a person, house, or car

A property owner may apply for street tree removal which will then be reviewed by the Urban Forester and presented to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission for their deliberation and approval at a Commission meeting open to the public and may include public comment. Trees approved for removal by the PROS Commission will be removed, including stump grinding, by a tree care contractor hired by the City. It is City policy to replace any removed street tree with a location-appropriate species as approved by the Urban Forester.

Replacement trees of an appropriate species will be planted during the next planting season as part of the City's annual tree planting project, at no cost to the adjacent property owner. Species selection is coordinated with the adjacent property owner.

Please see Street Tree Removal for more info.

Sometimes, despite best maintenance efforts for street trees by both residents and City staff, limbs or trees may fall in the public right-of-way.

An emergency is considered to be a limb or tree that has fallen and has caused damage, and/or is blocking the public right-of-way.

For tree-related emergencies during business hours (8-5, M-F) please call Public Works at (510) 524-9543.

After hours, weekends, and holidays, please call the Albany Police Department at (510) 525-7300.

For all other tree-related service requests, please use our service request portal.

The Urban Forestry Program is funded through the Public Works Operating Budget. Program costs include but are not limited to contract services for tree planting and maintenance, tree care supplies and tools, and program staff costs.

The program budget is reviewed and updated regularly, and brought to the City Council for approval as part of the City's Biennial Operating Budget every two years. (Sec 3.3.8 - Public Works)

This program is made possible through tax revenue from the Measure M: Parks & Open Space Parcel Tax, as well as fees assessed as part of Albany's Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District (LLAD) 1988-1.

Topping is possibly the worst thing you can do for the health of a tree! Topping removes most of the leaf growth which then starves the tree and makes it more susceptible to insects and disease. Topping also creates decay and promotes weakly attached branches that become hazards in the future and causes the tree to become a maintenance nightmare.

Cutting the top off your tree, or stubbing back limbs causes ugly, bushy, weak limbs which may grow back even higher than the original branches. Proper pruning can remove excessive growth without the problems topping creates.

Please do not stub or top trees!

Improper pruning can lead to expensive future maintenance problems, cause unsafe conditions, permanently disfigure or even kill your tree.

Basic proper pruning can be easily learned.

Contact Urban Forestry for more information!

Please always work with a Certified Arborist to prune your tree according to its natural needs and you can avoid these issues. Residents can contact Urban Forestry staff with any questions or concerns at urbanforestry@albanyca.org.

Individual property owners can apply to have a street tree planted by the City in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property.

Street tree planting is now free for residents! Fees for planting will be covered by the City as per Resolution No. 2021-102(PDF, 2MB).

1. Review the Accepted Street Tree List(PDF, 301KB) and pick out a tree. You can consult the City's Urban Forester regarding a proper species and location.
2. Be sure you have a location suitable for street tree planting or creation of a tree basin. Locations within 3' of utilities, driveways, crosswalks, etc., 5' of a fire hydrant, 25' of an intersection, or locations that already have a tree or other plantings may be rejected.
3. Complete the Street Tree Planting Application(PDF, 661KB) and mail to: Albany Public Works, 540 Cleveland Ave. Albany, CA 94710. Alternately, you can complete the form on your computer, then 'Save as' using your address as the file name (eg., "1000SanPabloAve"), then email it as an attachment to Urban Forestry. Fees have been waived as per Resolution No. 2021-102(PDF, 2MB).
4. The City will have the tree(s) planted during the proper season and when availability allows. Trees are ordered from a nursery and planted by a tree care contractor on a project basis.
5. All Street Tree Planting applications need to be received before March 1st to be included in the current season's planting project. Applications received later than that will be added to the next season's planting list.

Once your new Street Tree is planted you agree to water the tree according to the instructions(PDF, 317KB) provided by the City. Keep the tree basin free of weeds and View Mulch Specifications(PDF, 122KB). Requests for training, pruning or re-staking of young trees may be done using our online service request page.

Understand the liability issues with trees (Albany Municipal Code 14-1.4: Trees(PDF, 98KB)). In turn, the City will handle pruning and care of the young street tree. Mature trees are pruned as needed. Emergency and urgent pruning is top priority. Pruning for clearances and visibility are also handled by the City of Albany and is best dealt with during the your tree training pruning.

Please remember that watering is part of tree maintenance(PDF, 141KB)! Especially for young trees planted within the last 3 years. Older trees should get an occasional long, slow, deep watering during the summer months, during drought, and during excessive heat.

See our tree watering guidance(PDF, 141KB).

Tree care during drought

Even during periods of drought water restrictions, our local water utility, East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD), advises us to keep our trees alive and water them as needed (see "Your Trees Need TLC"). You can download their tree watering guide by clicking here: their "Caring for Trees in Drought(PDF, 302KB)".

Link to check which trees need which kind of watering

• Watering for Mature Trees(PDF, 618KB)
• Watering for Young Trees(PDF, 129KB)

Mulching your tree basin helps prevent water loss, an important part of the cycle in both establishing a new street tree and helping a mature tree thrive.

• Mulch Specifications & Guidelines(PDF, 122KB)

Always check for Certified Arborist credentials!

Don't Top Trees!

If an arborist says they will top your tree, or if they advertise tree topping, please find a different arborist! See these tips on what to watch for when choosing an arborist.

Holiday lights are cheerful ways to light up the darkest nights of the year and bring joy during the holiday season. However, if left up too long, these decorations can pose a hazard to trees and the surrounding environment.

Leaving holiday lights on trees for extended periods can cause damage to the tree's bark and branches, causing branches or the entire tree to decline or even die and creating a potential safety hazard. Electrical lighting on trees can also create a potential fire hazard.

Property owner responsibilities for Street Trees are outlined in the Albany City Code 14-1.4: Trees.

Please also see the City's Street Tree Policy.

Most wire conflicts are the responsibility of the associated utility. Some wires are considered low-voltage and pruning is usually not required unless there exists excessive strain or abrasion. Service drops that extend from power poles to buildings are an example of this. However, always treat any conductor, downed or otherwise, as high-voltage.

Utility service drops are the responsibility of the property owner. When there is excessive strain on a service drop, property owners may hire a professional tree care service to minimally prune branches away.

See Avoiding Tree & Utility Conflicts for more information.

Contact PG&E at (800) PGE-5000 or other utility service provider with any questions or concerns.

Trees have roots and as trees age these roots enlarge and may cause sidewalk and infrastructure damage. As per California state law (SHC § 5600 et seq.), responsibility for sidewalk repairs falls on the adjacent property owner.

One way to lessen the chances of tree-caused sidewalk damage is to increase the amount of permeable space around the tree. Tree roots need oxygen and moisture from the atmosphere to survive. When they don't get enough they grow out their roots in search of more, often pushing out sidewalks in the process. See examples of this type of sidewalk shaping(PDF, 12MB).

For planting new trees, please work with the Urban Forester to determine which species are less likely to cause significant sidewalk damage, and to work out other potential solutions to maintain the longevity of both the sidewalk and your tree.

View more information about the City's Sidewalk Program.

The City of Albany is home to many species of trees. Click the link below to see a map of Albany's street trees and a short description of each tree.

Treeviewer

Sweetgum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) trees are unfortunately often in conflict with urban environments, featuring negative effects such as extensive sidewalk damage, sudden limb drop, and spiky seed capsules that cause slip and fall hazards.

Removal History:

• Approved: PROS Commission - Item 6-2, 9/8/22
• Approved: PROS Commission - Item 6-1, 5/12/22

Trees benefit everyone, but sometimes trees can cause issues for neighbors. If the tree is a street tree, the Urban Forester should be able to find a solution. Please reach out at urbanforestry@albanyca.org.

If the tree is on privately owned property, this FAQ should be able to give you some pointers on how to deal with the situation.

Did you know that tree-shaded surfaces can be 20-45°F (11-25°C) cooler than surfaces in direct sun, helping homeowners reduce summer cooling costs?

Check out more tree facts from the International Society of Arboriculture here!

Want to see some of the benefits your tree provides your property and community?

Click on My Tree Benefits and answer a few simple questions about your tree to find out!