The urban forest significantly contributes to the City of Los Angeles ' pastoral beauty. Several areas in the City parkway trees contribute so much to the neighborhoods identity that the trees have become a defining element of their community.

Dodson Avenue between 9 th Street and Western Avenue in San Pedro is one such area. Beautiful, large California Pepper (Schinus molle) trees, planted in the early to mid 1900's, line Dodson Av creating an overarching tunnel of green that is an area landmark.

California Pepper trees are very sensitive to environmental changes such as grade changes within the dripline of the tree, over-watering, over-pruning, and improper planting and maintenance of ground cover in the area around the trees' base. Many of the Pepper trees on Dodson Av have required removal due to one of these factors or their age creating structural defects that may lead to potential hazards. As a result, the Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry Division performed a comprehensive tree inspection and hazard evaluation on all of Dodson Avenue 's California Pepper trees.

Pursuant to the evaluation it was determined that more tree removals are now required and more may be required in the future. In response, the Division has implemented a “rotational management” program to remove and replant the potential hazard trees and prune the remaining trees to alleviate potential structural defects and prolong their longevity. Concurrently, the Bureau is replanting the removed trees and planting new Pepper trees at available planting sites that were previously vacant. The Bureau provides the following care instructions to ensure the newly planted trees receive proper care:

•  Keep turf and other ground cover vegetation at least three feet from the base of the tree.

•  Irrigation systems should have all sprinkler heads turned away from the tree at all times.

•  Young trees should be watered slowly and deeply to allow for the proper growth of roots.

•  Newly planted trees should be watered via a berm moat ensuring the water gets to trees rootball.

•  After the establishment period (usually two years), Pepper trees can survive with very little artificial irrigation. Watering should only be done during extreme heat or prolonged drought periods.

Pruning and Care of California Pepper Trees

•  Allow the natural leaf drop to remain on the ground around the tree's base. The leaf layer maintains soil moisture and regulates soil temperature.

•  Do not fertilize the trees.

•  Mechanical weed trimmers shall not be utilized near the trees base.

The Division provides street tree pruning within its budgeted resources. Currently, the pruning cycle is ten years. The Division prunes trees in the manner described below. If a resident chooses to obtain a tree pruning permit to supplement the City's pruning cycle, they shall prune to the same standards.

Pepper trees require little or no pruning other than periodic dead wooding and crown raising. In fact, the pruning of green tissue increases the probability of disease organisms gaining entrance into a tree. Occasionally, a mature tree may benefit from a light thinning (removal of 10 to 20 percent of live green foliage) to reduce the weight of branches and to open the crown for light penetration and reduced wind resistance. California Pepper street trees may also require pruning to provide vehicular and pedestrian, building, traffic control device, streetlights, and energized lines clearances.

Pepper trees should never be severely pruned (except in cases where structural defects warrant after inspection by a Certified Arborist). Severely pruned trees are unsightly and respond with vigorous, weakly attached , watersprout growth that is susceptible to breakage. Large pruning wounds are also more subject to decay and promote the spread of disease . To prevent the spread of disease, climbing “gaffs” shall not be used at any time when pruning trees.

To ensure proper pruning practices, all tree pruning shall comply with the American National Standards Institute “Trees, Shrubs and Other Woody Plants Maintenance Standard Practices” (ANSI A300), International Society of Arboriculture “Tree Pruning Guidelines,” and previously established Los Angeles Municipal Code requirements.

This information sheet is provided as a public service. Hopefully, it answers the important questions regarding California Pepper trees. If you have any further questions, please refer to the Urban Forestry Division Inspector or contact the Division at (213) 847-3077. For the hearing-impaired, the TDD number is (213) 473-4660. This and other information sheets may be obtained at the Urban Forestry Division office at 1149 S. Broadway Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles , CA 90015 .

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