Community Forest Management 

Trees are a critically important part of our city's infrastructure. Learn more about how we manage our community forest today, and the changes being recommended for the future, in our Community Forest Management Plan.

Caring for Your Trees

• Street trees need care by the property owner.
• The environment of an average street tree is often harsh due to dry and compacted soils and extensive areas of surrounding asphalt and concrete.
• Plants under stress are more subject to insect attack and disease problems.
• Proper tree care should include inspection by a tree care professional to monitor its health and its growing environment.

Maintenance

Tree care includes:

• Deep-root watering
• Pruning
• Removal of dead and dying branches
• Monitoring for insect and disease problems

Responsibilities

Tree care responsibilities are shared by the many stakeholders within the city. Since 1951 the municipal code has established that the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the street tree(s) adjacent to their property. The city maintains trees in median island and roadside landscapes, as well as, in some special landscape districts.

Heritage Trees

Heritage tree designation provides official recognition and protection of trees on both private and public properties that are of special significance to the community because of their history, girth, height, species, or unique quality.

View more info on Heritage Trees.

Benefits

See the benefits of your tree and all trees in the city using our interactive map.

Tree Policies

• We have taken numerous steps over the years to protect and grow its community forest.
• A formal policy helps provide clear direction on the city’s goals and more effectively integrate ordinances, policies, and programs that seek to protect and grow the city’s forest.
• The result is a more robust, diverse, and healthy community forest that maximizes the economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits such a forest can offer.

Sustainability

• In 2005 and 2007 San José signed onto two sustainability initiatives that commit the city to increase the number of trees it plants.
• In 2005, San José became a signatory to the urban environmental accords (Action 11) which commits the city to plant 50% of the city’s vacant street tree sites.
• In 2007, the city adopted its Green Vision (Goal 9) which commits the city to planting 100,000 new trees by 2022.

Strategic Plan

• Our community forest Strategic Plan seeks to enhance the city’s forestry efforts by outlining the strategies the city needs to monitor, manage, and enhance San José’s community forest.
• The purpose of the tree policy manual and recommended best practices is to define responsibilities for tree management within the City of San José and to provide guidelines and current recommended best management practices to city staff, residents, and others who provide services to the community forest in the City of San José.

Partnerships

Importance of Community Support

Partnerships are vital to promote and sustain the community forest and related programs.

The city maintains several various partnerships with nonprofit organizations, as well as federal and state agencies.

• Our City Forest is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that serves the residents of San José by providing a range of community forestry education and services, from tree planting and care to education and fostering public awareness of the value and importance of trees.
• The California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) is a nonprofit organization that supports the development of local, regional, and statewide urban forestry programs, projects, and organizations.
• The Urban Ecosystems and Social Dynamics Program (UESDP) was developed by the US Forest Service to perform research that will help increase the understanding and appreciation of the urban forest through new technology, training, and technical assistance.
• The Urban and Community Forestry Program developed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) works to expand and improve the management of trees and related vegetation in communities throughout California.