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Thursday, February 9, 2012

  San José's Urban Forest Home
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Tree Policy Manual
Street Trees
Single Family & Duplex
Multifamily & Business
Parks & Trails
Special Districts
Heritage Trees
Our City Forest
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Tree News
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Caring for Your Street Tree and the Community Forest

 
 
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Welcome to the Community Forest of San José Web Site

 

Fall Tree SceneThe Community Forest of San José, estimated to be comprised of over 1,000,000 trees on private and public property, provides great beauty, shade and environmental benefits to Santa Clara Valley. Our area, once known as The Valley of Heart’s Delight because of the vast orchards that filled the spring with spectacular blossoms, has now been largely supplanted with a growing forest of shade and ornamental trees that are a vital component to our urban landscape. Through public input, a vision statement for the Urban Forest of San José has been established:

San José’s residents will live within and value a thriving, sustainable community forest that will be effectively managed to improve the quality of life and sense of community and maximize environmental, economic and aesthetic benefits.

The Community Forest consists of trees on public land such as Street Trees, those along the Median Islands and Roadside Landscape Maintenance areas, trees planted in Parks or Trail areas or in Special Districts. The balance of the Community Forest is on private property, consisting of trees on Single Family/Duplex residential property, Multi-Family residential property or on Non-Residential/Commercial property. Heritage Trees are those special trees with significant historical value or unique characteristics that have been designated by the San José City Council for special protective status.

Depending on where a particular tree is located and if it has a special designation, departmental responsibility within the City or County can vary. Some trees are in the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, some by the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, and some by the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department. Many of the trees along the streams and riparian areas of the City are managed by Santa Clara Valley Water District (external link). In addition, where there are County Parks within the city limits of San José, it is the Santa Clara County Department of Parks and Recreation (external link) that is responsible for their trees. The purpose of this site is to help San José residents navigate the various issues related to trees in our Community Forest and determine how to contact the right City or County
office for help

 

 
Heritage Tree Map

 

 

 
 

The City of San Jose is committed to open and honest government and strives to consistently meet the community’s expectations by providing excellent service, in a positive and timely manner, and in the full view of the public.

Please View the City of San Jose's Code of Ethics, Council Policy 0-15

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