The Urban Forest is comprised of all the trees and understory vegetation growing in an urban area and, perhaps most importantly, people. This includes privately maintained trees, publicly maintained trees, and naturally occurring vegetation, i.e., hillside chaparral, riparian areas.

How many trees are there in the Los Angeles Urban Forest?

It has been estimated that there are over 10 million trees growing in the City of Los Angeles . Approximately 2 million trees are publicly maintained. Street trees are a highly visible component of the larger urban forest.

How large is the street tree population?

There are nearly 7000,000 street trees growing along 6,500 miles of streets with over 1,000 different species, making the City of Los Angeles the largest most diverse street tree population in the world.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of street trees?

Since the 1932 Summer Olympic Games, the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry Division, has been responsible for street tree pruning, dead tree and stump removal, tree planting, small tree maintenance, responding to tree-related public way emergencies, watering, pest management and maintaining landscaped median islands.

How can a citizen request service?

The most efficient way to request service is call our Service Request Section at (800) 996-2489 or dial 3-1-1 . For the hearing-impaired, the TDD number is (213) 473-6600. In most cases, the location will be inspected within 2 to 4 weeks depending on available staff and workload. However, if your request involves an emergency situation such as a tree or limb down or a partially uprooted tree, a crew will respond within 24 hours. 

What happens after the tree is inspected?

The area supervisor will prioritize the work and determined when the work will be scheduled. If an entire neighborhood requires pruning, the area will be targeted for service by one of the City's large program crews or included in tree pruning contracts when the City's budget allows.  

Does the City have tree pruning standards?

Yes, the City has formally adopted, and enforces, the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Pruning Guidelines and the American National Standard Institute's Pruning Standards (ANSI 300).

After tree pruning, what is done with the greenwaste?

The Division currently recycles 100% of the greenwaste that is generated through routine maintenance. The mulch is then used for weed abatement and erosion control.

Who is responsible for the repair of the sidewalk?

In accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, curb, parkway and/or driveway approach. The property owner may request a permit to trim the roots to allow for the repair of the sidewalk if the tree can be left in a safe condition which may also require pruning of the tree canopy to minimize wind resistance. The work is performed by the property owner at their expense. If the tree roots can not be safely pruned, the property owner may request a tree removal permit to remove the tree at their own expense and may be required to plant a replacement tree. Currently the City does have a limited Sidewalk Repair Program. For additional information regarding this program please call 213-473-5017.

Who is responsible for sewer damage caused by tree roots?

The maintenance of sewer lines is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. This includes damage caused by tree roots.

Does the City perform root pruning of the parkway tree?

The City does not perform root pruning. Property owners may perform the required root pruning at their own expense by obtaining a no-fee permit from the Bureau's Urban Forestry Division.

How many trees are planted each year in the City?

Approximately 10,000 trees are planted each year. Currently, City forces plant approximately four thousand trees per year. City forces focus their tree planting primarily on replacement of existing trees that were previously removed. Non-profit groups such as the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), Tree People, North East Trees (NET) and others also plant many trees. These groups primarily target areas where new tree planting is needed or where trees have not been planted in the past. Most of these trees are planted with community involvement. Permission and oversight is provided by the Urban Forestry Division. Four thousand additional trees are planted on new subdivisions and developments under the direction and guidance of the Urban Forestry Division.

How many trees are removed each year?

An average 2,000 trees are removed because they are dead, declining, are structurally unsound, or because of storm damage.

What is the process for getting a plant permit?

If a group of residents or a homeowner's group desires to beautify their community, they can contact our Service Request Section and request a community planting packet from our Bureau. A coordinator with a neighborhood group or non-profit will evaluate the site, receive approval of the individual homeowners, and file the community planting permit. A Division arborist will mark the curbs to indicate where the trees are to be planted. The community group and/or non-profit may then plant the trees. The homeowners are responsible for ensuring the trees receive adequate irrigation. Individuals may request a tree planting permit by contacting the Bureau's Service Request Section. The Division's goal is to issue the planting permit within 72 hours of receiving the request.

Can the property owner plant any tree they choose?

The Division has developed a “Street Tree Selection Guide,” which includes over 150 species. The guide was developed with the City's microclimates and soil conditions in mind. To ensure diversity, many native trees were included to the list as well as variety of trees of different sizes, shapes and growth characteristics. A resident or a homeowner's group can work with the Urban Forestry Division to choose the correct tree for their particular site. One of the most important parts of planting a tree is choosing the right tree for the right place.

Can a private citizen do improvements of their own on City maintained median islands?

Yes. The “Adopt-a-Median” program allows individuals or groups to make improvements on a median island and also assume the maintenance of the median.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities