Residents

Though it is not required, there are things that residents can do to help protect the health and longevity of street trees.
 

1. Mind the Soil: Healthy trees require water and nutrients for their roots, particularly during droughts and in the first three years after planting. Compacted soil does not easily allow the flow of water and nutrients and can be detrimental to the health of the tree. Residents should never intentionally compact the soil around street trees.
2. Protect the Roots: Healthy trees require healthy roots; when mowing or trimming the area around the tree base, be mindful of any exposed tree roots. Try not to score or cut them. If grass is growing in between exposed roots, try to use a trimming tool that gives you more control.
3. Protect the Base: Girdling, or ring-barking, is when a strip of bark is removed from around the trunk of a tree. Girdling can lead to the death of an otherwise healthy tree, so owners should be mindful when mowing and/or trimming that they are not scoring or damaging the base of the tree, even if it’s just the bark.
4. Report Serious Issues: If a resident suspects a street tree is diseased, dead, or poses a threat to the public, please contact 311.