Q: How can I water my tree when we're in a drought?
A: Yes, the tree will require watering during the first 2-3 years during the non-rainy months, but studies have shown that if you were going to use water, using it for a tree is a smart decision. The tree will provide shade and will further cool and clean the surrounding air through the process of evapotranspiration. According to the USGS, the average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day -- all that your new tree is asking for is 3-5 gallons per week. If you take a 5-gallon bucket and put it in your shower, catching the water that comes out as you wait for it to heat up - you can easily collect 3-5 gallons in a week and not use any extra water for your tree.
A: Yes, the tree will require watering during the first 2-3 years during the non-rainy months, but studies have shown that if you were going to use water, using it for a tree is a smart decision. The tree will provide shade and will further cool and clean the surrounding air through the process of evapotranspiration. According to the USGS, the average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day -- all that your new tree is asking for is 3-5 gallons per week. If you take a 5-gallon bucket and put it in your shower, catching the water that comes out as you wait for it to heat up - you can easily collect 3-5 gallons in a week and not use any extra water for your tree.
Q: Do the trees have to be on the sidewalk or can I get a tree planted in my yard?
A: Since our grant funds come from public money so we strive to plant trees that will be public resources, so first we would try for "street-trees". If for some reason, we cannot plant along the sidewalk (not enough space, utilities to avoid, etc.) OR in addition to a tree in your sidewalk, we will explore planting in your front, side, or back yard, because a tree on someone's private property will still provide some public benefits.
Note: The point of the grant is to get trees that'll grow big and reduce greenhouse gasses by sequestering as much carbon as possible so we aim to plant trees that will grow to at least 25' tall and that can survive in place for at least 40 years.
If we use our grant to pay for a tree on private property, we'll ask the homeowner to agree to certain standards of care, such as not pruning it too severely, and even telling any future owners how to treat the tree but we'll just have to trust that the homeowner will follow through. The homeowner must understand they have to keep the tree alive and thriving for at least 40 years, and they must make the tree available for inspection by CalFire on request.
A: Since our grant funds come from public money so we strive to plant trees that will be public resources, so first we would try for "street-trees". If for some reason, we cannot plant along the sidewalk (not enough space, utilities to avoid, etc.) OR in addition to a tree in your sidewalk, we will explore planting in your front, side, or back yard, because a tree on someone's private property will still provide some public benefits.
Note: The point of the grant is to get trees that'll grow big and reduce greenhouse gasses by sequestering as much carbon as possible so we aim to plant trees that will grow to at least 25' tall and that can survive in place for at least 40 years.
If we use our grant to pay for a tree on private property, we'll ask the homeowner to agree to certain standards of care, such as not pruning it too severely, and even telling any future owners how to treat the tree but we'll just have to trust that the homeowner will follow through. The homeowner must understand they have to keep the tree alive and thriving for at least 40 years, and they must make the tree available for inspection by CalFire on request.
Q: Can I choose a flowering pear tree?
A: We are not planting any pear trees this season, either evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii) or ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana). The risk of infection by fireblight is just too high. Hundreds of these trees in Oakland are infected with fireblight, which can weaken or kill the trees.
Some trees overcome it naturally, or people can try to save a tree by removing every branch that is infected. But the City's Tree Services Division does not have to capacity to do it, and most homeowners don't have the knowledge or tools to do it themselves, nor can they afford to pay a private professional service to do it. So we're stuck with a lot of infected trees that may die in a few years. Our program or other volunteers might mobilize a fireblight-fighting force over the summer (when the risk of reinfection is lower than in winter) to help a few neighborhoods, but saving every infected tree in town is too much for us.
So, for now, we have decided not to plant any more pears through our program.
A: We are not planting any pear trees this season, either evergreen pear (Pyrus kawakamii) or ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana). The risk of infection by fireblight is just too high. Hundreds of these trees in Oakland are infected with fireblight, which can weaken or kill the trees.
Some trees overcome it naturally, or people can try to save a tree by removing every branch that is infected. But the City's Tree Services Division does not have to capacity to do it, and most homeowners don't have the knowledge or tools to do it themselves, nor can they afford to pay a private professional service to do it. So we're stuck with a lot of infected trees that may die in a few years. Our program or other volunteers might mobilize a fireblight-fighting force over the summer (when the risk of reinfection is lower than in winter) to help a few neighborhoods, but saving every infected tree in town is too much for us.
So, for now, we have decided not to plant any more pears through our program.
Q: My street-tree needs pruning; can you come prune it?
A: Due to budget cuts, the City is not pruning trees if it is determined that it is "aesthetic pruning". The Sierra Club Tree Team has been running periodic tree pruning events in winter or summer but we cannot guarantee that we will get to your tree. If it is a hazard or emergency tree issue, call the Oakland Public Works Call Center (510) 615-5566. or go to the website for more info http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/PWA/o/FE/o/TreeServices/index.htm . There you can find the City guidelines to prune sidewalk trees.
A: Due to budget cuts, the City is not pruning trees if it is determined that it is "aesthetic pruning". The Sierra Club Tree Team has been running periodic tree pruning events in winter or summer but we cannot guarantee that we will get to your tree. If it is a hazard or emergency tree issue, call the Oakland Public Works Call Center (510) 615-5566. or go to the website for more info http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/PWA/o/FE/o/TreeServices/index.htm . There you can find the City guidelines to prune sidewalk trees.
Q: Can I get a fruit tree?
A: Oakland's list of approves street-tree species does not include any fruit trees, but we can plant certain kinds as yard-trees. If we plant fruit trees with our grant money, they must be trees that would grow to their full natural size (25' or taller), not grafted onto dwarf rootstock or pruned small for easy harvesting. A fruit tree in your yard will be your responsibility. For all trees that we plant on private property, we ask that you sign a Memorandum of Understanding ("M.O.U.") - agreeing to allow the tree grow to its mature size for at least 40 years and allowing a representative from CAL FIRE (the state agency that paid for the tree) to do an inspection if they request it.
A: Oakland's list of approves street-tree species does not include any fruit trees, but we can plant certain kinds as yard-trees. If we plant fruit trees with our grant money, they must be trees that would grow to their full natural size (25' or taller), not grafted onto dwarf rootstock or pruned small for easy harvesting. A fruit tree in your yard will be your responsibility. For all trees that we plant on private property, we ask that you sign a Memorandum of Understanding ("M.O.U.") - agreeing to allow the tree grow to its mature size for at least 40 years and allowing a representative from CAL FIRE (the state agency that paid for the tree) to do an inspection if they request it.
Q: I want a California native tree - why are most trees on the selection non-natives?
A: Most Western native trees prefer more space for their roots (open ground) and/or more water (creekside) than we can provide in a city. A few California species are on the street-tree list, including coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), blue oak (Quercus douglasii), Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus), and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), along with the hybrid madrone (Arbutus x 'Marina', related to the native madrone).
A: Most Western native trees prefer more space for their roots (open ground) and/or more water (creekside) than we can provide in a city. A few California species are on the street-tree list, including coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), blue oak (Quercus douglasii), Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus), and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), along with the hybrid madrone (Arbutus x 'Marina', related to the native madrone).
Q: Can I still get a tree planted if I have overhead wires outside of my house?
A: First we'll check whether the wires are carrying high voltage (more than 750V). If not, then there is no rule preventing us from planting a large tree. If the wires are carrying high voltage, then any tree planted underneath will have to be a tree from the city's "Small" category (naturally 25' or shorter), and that means it is too small for us to use our grant money to pay for it. It is possible to plant bigger species of trees under these wires, but then PG&E would have to bring a pruning crew every year or two to keep the branches away from the wires, so they've asked Oakland to plant only small-stature trees under wires. This has been Oakland's policy since 2003 or maybe even earlier. We're working with the City to revise or eliminate this policy, for a variety of environmental and social reasons. Right now, though, that is the City's rule.
A: First we'll check whether the wires are carrying high voltage (more than 750V). If not, then there is no rule preventing us from planting a large tree. If the wires are carrying high voltage, then any tree planted underneath will have to be a tree from the city's "Small" category (naturally 25' or shorter), and that means it is too small for us to use our grant money to pay for it. It is possible to plant bigger species of trees under these wires, but then PG&E would have to bring a pruning crew every year or two to keep the branches away from the wires, so they've asked Oakland to plant only small-stature trees under wires. This has been Oakland's policy since 2003 or maybe even earlier. We're working with the City to revise or eliminate this policy, for a variety of environmental and social reasons. Right now, though, that is the City's rule.
Q: Why can't I get a Sweetgum Tree? Their leaves are so pretty in fall.
A: The American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was once commonly planted by the City as a street tree, and yes, they have attractive colorful autumn foliage, but they have severe problems as street trees. Their roots are aggressive; decades after being planted, these trees are breaking sidewalks and roadways around town. They also produce spiky brown seed-balls that are seen as a nuisance. These trees are no longer allowed to be planted as street trees in Oakland.
A: The American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) was once commonly planted by the City as a street tree, and yes, they have attractive colorful autumn foliage, but they have severe problems as street trees. Their roots are aggressive; decades after being planted, these trees are breaking sidewalks and roadways around town. They also produce spiky brown seed-balls that are seen as a nuisance. These trees are no longer allowed to be planted as street trees in Oakland.
Q: I have a tree I want to cut down, can you do that for us?
A: First check whether your tree is protected, according to Oakland's Protected Tree Ordinance (Municipal Code 12.36). Protected trees include coast live oaks with a trunk larger than 4", and any other species of tree (except eucalyptus or Monterey pine) with a trunk larger than 9". If your tree is protected, you'll need to apply for a City permit to remove it.
You would need to contact the city's arboricultural inspectors and request an inspection of a tree if you suspect the tree is a hazard.
Although the city has people inspecting trees, they generally do not have enough staff, so they may be backlogged. Unless it is an imminent threat, the City won't likely be able to remove the trees any time soon. They may be able to issue an approval to hire a contractor to remove the tree(s).
The city will do stump grinding on request -- but again, with a wait of indeterminate length. The Public Works Call Center (510-615-5566) is where you would start your requests for removing trees and (separately) about replacing the broken sidewalk. Home page for Oakland Public Works: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/index.html
If you need a private contractor to remove a tree, we have heard good things about Elite Tree Service and Traverso Tree Service, so you can look them up.
A: First check whether your tree is protected, according to Oakland's Protected Tree Ordinance (Municipal Code 12.36). Protected trees include coast live oaks with a trunk larger than 4", and any other species of tree (except eucalyptus or Monterey pine) with a trunk larger than 9". If your tree is protected, you'll need to apply for a City permit to remove it.
You would need to contact the city's arboricultural inspectors and request an inspection of a tree if you suspect the tree is a hazard.
Although the city has people inspecting trees, they generally do not have enough staff, so they may be backlogged. Unless it is an imminent threat, the City won't likely be able to remove the trees any time soon. They may be able to issue an approval to hire a contractor to remove the tree(s).
The city will do stump grinding on request -- but again, with a wait of indeterminate length. The Public Works Call Center (510-615-5566) is where you would start your requests for removing trees and (separately) about replacing the broken sidewalk. Home page for Oakland Public Works: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/index.html
If you need a private contractor to remove a tree, we have heard good things about Elite Tree Service and Traverso Tree Service, so you can look them up.
