TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT - Laserfiche WebLink

104 | CITY OF PLEASANTON URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 1.3 Management Practices 1.3.1 Tree Planting Trees along streets and in parks are dependent on human intervention, unlike trees in wildland areas that can rely on natural recruitment and disturbance. Young trees must be planted continuously to replace the trees that have been removed if the urban forest is to thrive and grow. Best management practices for tree planting, spacing guidelines, and recommendations for replacement based on the stature of the removed tree can be found in Appendix J. Current practices Currently, vacant tree sites are prioritized for planting based on resident requests. A few tree options that would be suitable for the site are presented to the property owner for selection. Once selected, the ground is prepped and the tree is planted by the City’s tree contractor. The planting is done in conformance with City standard detail 806. Watering for establishment is scheduled and added to the rotation and will be watered by a seasonal employee employed by the City of Pleasanton. The past six years of City work records reveal that the number of trees planted (773 trees) is only 57% of the number of trees removed (1357 trees), which is equivalent to losing an average of 75 trees per year. According to the City’s inventory data, 85.6% of the mapped tree planting sites are currently occupied. New sites must be identified and developed to reach the target canopy cover. At present, the City does not have the staff, or extra time with existing staff, to actively identify new planting locations. The primary focus is on care required for young tree establishment. (See: Establishment Care, section 1.3.2). Recommendations Ensure replacements are planted when City trees are removed Plant trees in all sites allocated for trees. For detailed information on the number of trees required to achieve canopy cover goals and the specific areas of the city where tree plantings should be concentrated, please refer to Chapters 2 and 3 of this technical assessment. Tree Selection Each species of tree has its own unique set of characteristics like flower type, crown shape, and growth rate. Tree species also vary in their needs for water, space, soil, and light for health and growth. For example, some trees need the wide- open space of woodlands and parks to thrive, while others can live and grow vigorously in small parkway spaces seen along downtown streets. Tree and site issues may occur when a tree species and it’s planting site do not match, like a shortened life span, raised sidewalks, or conflicts with