To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PRACTICES AND POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY'S TREE CANOPY
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item has been prepared in response to City Strategic Plan Goal 5.1 "Advance Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience," and Objective 48 directing staff to, "Inventory the City's tree canopy and present a discussion item to the City Council to determine the best strategies to enhance the tree canopy in the future."
The City's tree count currently includes approximately 11,350 trees, with nearly one thousand trees being planted in the last six years. In recent years, the City has also implemented a tree protection ordinance, achieved recognition as a Tree City, USA, and modernized internal arboricultural practices that demonstrate its recognition of, and commitment to, the enhancement of City trees as a valuable resource for the community. This report provides some context of recent work and explores additional options to further protect and develop the tree canopy within City boundaries through incentives, regulations, educational programs, and other initiatives.
BACKGROUND
The City's tree inventory is generally healthy and diverse. The diversity of the City controlled urban forest includes over 200 species. However, the distribution of tree age, as measured by trunk size, indicates an aged population. Efforts to plant young trees at a steady and even increasing rate, will ensure the City's urban forest continues to provide a beneficial resource to residents and visitors.
In recent years, the City Council has provided considerable direction and support of the City's urban forest resource. Funding has been provided to plant over one hundred new trees each of the last six years, with a total count of 942 planted in the six fiscal years ending in June 2025. Tree removals by staff average 25 to 30 per year, with the net inc...
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