Criteria for Potential Street Tree Removal

• The street tree is in a hazardous condition or imminently hazardous condition.
• The type, species or location of the street tree is in conflict with a community forest master plan adopted by the City Council or the Street Tree Policy, guidelines and best practices published by the Director of the Department of Transportation.
• The street tree is in conflict with high tension electrical lines and the interference cannot be corrected by pruning the tree.
• The street tree has caused extensive concrete damage and the concrete has been replaced more than once in the past ten (10) years.
• The street tree has caused extensive sewer system damage that cannot be corrected by any other reasonable means.
• The street tree is in conflict with an approved development permit for the adjacent property or right of way pursuant to Title 20 of the City of San Jose Municipal Code

1. Submit a request for street tree removal application by emailing treesandsidewalks@sanjoseca.gov or calling 408-794-1901.
2. The City mails a Street Tree Removal and Replacement Permit Application.
3. The property owner must complete and return the signed Street Tree Removal and Replacement Permit Application (including a map showing the tree(s) locations that are requested for removal).
4. The City assigns an inspector to your Street Tree Removal and Replacement Permit Application.
5. The inspector evaluates your property, which includes all trees, shrubs, hedges, landscape, sidewalk and driveway approach.
6. If the tree(s) qualify for removal based on the criteria listed in the San José Municipal Code Section 13.28, the inspector posts two tree removal request notices and takes photos of the tree. The posting notice provides the date of posting, the Municipal Code criteria under which the tree(s) is qualified for removal, the number of 15 gallon replacement trees which will be required and the process by which any resident of San José may protest the granting of the Street Tree Removal and Replacement Permit. This posting notice must remain on the tree for 14 days.
7. If a protest is filed within 14 days and received by Trees and Sidewalks within 17 days, a protest hearing will be scheduled by the City Arborist. (If no protest is received, skip to step number 11).
8. All interested parties are asked to attend the protest hearing wherein they will be allowed to express their concerns and any alternative solutions or compromises they wish to be considered. The final determination will NOT be presented at this hearing.
9. The City Arborist performs a second site/tree evaluation.
10. A notice of determination is mailed to all hearing attendees providing the final approval or denial decision for the requested tree removal(s).
11. The Street Tree Removal and Replacement Permit will be issued to the property owner if appropriate.

Conditions for Pruning of the Tree Canopy

1. All work shall be performed in accordance with current Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations (ANSI A-300).
2. No more than 25% of the trees canopy or foliage may be removed within an annual growth cycle.
3. Pruning must include raising of the canopy to provide fourteen (14) feet of clearance over the street.
4. Pruning must include raising of the canopy to provide eight (8) feet of clearance over the sidewalk.
5. Pruning shall include the removal of all dead, dying, diseased or crossing branches.
6. Pruning shall not involve excessive removal of interior branches and foliage (No Lions-tailing).
7. Topping or stub cutting of any branch is prohibited.
8. No climbing spurs shall be used in the performance of the work.
9. The use of wound sealants on pruning cuts is prohibited.

Conditions for Root Pruning

1. All roots must be thoroughly exposed and cut using a handsaw or chainsaw. (Use of a stump grinder, rotary hammer, jackhammer, axe, maul, backhoe or Skid loader is prohibited).
2. All roots must be cut at an angle that minimizes the surface area of the cut root.
3. If roots larger than four (4) inches in diameter must be cut. You must expose all root(s) to be cut and contact the Trees and Sidewalks (408-794-1901) for an inspection prior to cutting the root(s).
4. All roots must be re-covered with soil as soon as possible and should not remain exposed for longer than 24 hours.
5. No more than 30% of the structural roots should be pruned within a twenty-four month period.
6. All roots shall be cut as far from the main stem as possible and should not involve the root flair.
7. The use of wound sealants on root pruning cuts is prohibited.

• Topping is an inappropriate type of pruning
  • Industry standard is to remove less than 25% of total canopy in an annual growth cycle
  • Topping causes stress to trees which leads to decline
• New shoot growth is weakly attached
  • Risk increases as new shoots continue to grow
  • Once tree structure is altered in this manor it will never fully regain a natural/strong structure
  • High likelihood of branch failure
• Open wounds are unlikely to heal and often allow decay to enter the tree
• Why topping hurts trees

Call before you dig!

1. All work shall be performed in accordance with current Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations (ANSI A-300).
2. The diameter of planting hole should be approximately twice the size of the root ball for the tree being planted and the same depth as the root ball for the tree being planted.
3. The soil around the root ball of the new tree must be loosened and any circling/girdling roots cut prior to placing the tree in the planting hole.
4. The top of the root ball for the new tree must be planted at or above the surrounding grade but no more than one inch above the surrounding soil.
5. The planting hole should be backfilled with the original/native soil whenever possible.
6. The nursery stake which is taped to the tree at delivery must be removed.
7. A minimum of one 2” lodgepole or 1” reddy-stake must be installed outside the root ball for support.
8. The tree must be secured to the stake with a rubber or plastic tree tie.
9. A three (3) to four (4) inch tall berm of soil or mulch should be installed around the top of root ball to aid in watering and establishment.
10. The tree must be thoroughly watered immediately after installation.
11. Root barriers may only be installed parallel to the curb/gutter or sidewalk. Circular barriers and barriers perpendicular to the sidewalk are not recommended.