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102 | CITY OF PLEASANTON URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 1.2.4 Annual Tree Service Data Keeping current and detailed records on the total number of pruning, plantings, and other services performed by the City allow for the City’s Urban Forestry-related staff to track service trends of the City-managed tree inventory. It will also allow the City to determine gaps between the current level of tree service and the ideal level of tree service it wants to provide based on its UFMP goals. Table 1-7 shows five current annual tree service metrics and how they measure up to current tree service goals. One tree service metric that the City is performing well is keeping up with the removal of dead trees in a timely manner. The City reported that, in most cases, dead trees are removed within four to eight weeks of the removal request, and there are no remaining removal requests by the end of the year. Table 1-7 also illuminates a few metrics where the City is not meeting their tree service standards, which includes tree planting and establishment care. Based on the last six years of data, an average of 151 trees are planted and 254 trees are watered annually by the City. To meet a three-year establishment and watering period goal, around 675 trees would need to be watered annually. The lack of a formal three-year establishment program and insufficient watering of newly planted trees could be a potential reason why the City’s annual removals (average of 226 per year) are outpacing their tree plantings (average of 151 per year). Another area where the City could improve adding structural pruning for new trees, which it doesn’t currently conduct. Structural pruning can save costs down the line because it is easier to address a structural problem using a pair of pruners when that tree is young versus needing to address a structural problem when the tree is matured, which may involve much more equipment and staff time. Generally, newly planted trees need a year to establish in their new environment once planted, but then should receive structural pruning once a year for two to three years, and then once again in two to three years later before it’s ‘graduated’ to the mature tree inventory. Continuing to track and analyze the service data regularly will allow the City to better measure its progress toward achieving its tree service standards and goals.