Caring for Your Street Tree and the Community Forest

The City of San José is committed to promoting the growth and care of its Community Forest. The Community Forest is made up of trees on private property, trees in parks and other open spaces, and approximately 242,000 street trees that are primarily located in park strips and median islands throughout the City.

Property owners responsible for maintenance of street trees

Per the San José Municipal Code, the property owner has maintenance responsibility for street trees adjacent to his/her property, and must maintain these trees in a condition that will not interfere with the public convenience or safety in the use of the public right-of-way. The sidewalk, tree planting area (whether in a park strip or behind the sidewalk), the curb and gutter, and the street itself are all within the public right-of-way.

Care and maintenance of a tree

In general, proper care and maintenance for an established tree consists of structural pruning on a regular cycle (typically every 3-5 years depending on the species, size and location of the tree) and regular inspection by a certified arborist (recommended every 1-2 years) to assess the condition of the tree and determine the presence of any disease or damage that could lead to failure of the tree.

Key factors that can contribute to the failure of a tree include:

• Excessive or atypical wind direction
• Saturated soils
• Excessive branch weight
• Uneven distribution of tree canopy
• Damage to root structure resulting from things such as root pruning, hardscape repair, soil compaction, and insufficient oxygen supply to the roots; all of these things can potentially cause root decay.
• Improper or excessive pruning of the tree canopy
• Insect infestation and/or disease

Things to look for as indicators of potential tree problems:

• The presence of mushrooms within the root zone
• Cavities or decay within the stems or branches
• Unbalanced or improper tree shape and/or structure
• Recent movement of the tree canopy and/or surrounding soils
• Extensive presence of dead, dying or diseased branches

The City’s Department of Transportation provides street tree services through the City Arborist’s Office. These services include the issuance of permits for tree pruning, removal and planting; tree inspections to ensure that work performed on street trees is properly done; advice on tree care and maintenance; and coordination of emergency response.

Emergency Tree Response: The City will respond to emergency tree situations such as trees/limbs falling into the street or sidewalk, cracked or hanging limbs, or interference with traffic control devices such as traffic signals and regulatory signs (stop signs, one-way signs, etc.), by contracting with a tree service provider on behalf of the adjacent property owner. The property owner will then be billed by the City for this work.

Resources for the Public: The City of San José provides a website that can help San José residents with information on the various issues related to trees. Go to www.sanjoseca.gov/trees or, from the City’s homepage (www.sanjoseca.gov), click on "City Departments", and then on "Trees and Landscaping" listed under the Department of Transportation.

      408.277.4373 (during business hours – 7 am to 4 pm, Mon-Fri)
      408.277-8956 (after regular business hours)
      408.277.2762 (City Arborist’s Office)

Our City Forest, the City’s Community Forest strategic partner, is also a valuable source of information and advice on the proper care and maintenance of trees (www.ourcityforest.org).
      408.998.7337 (Our City Forest)

Street Trees