City of Davis

Street Tree Replacement Policy

This replacement policy is to govern the replacement of any undesirable tree. An undesirable tree is any tree having characteristics which cause or may cause extreme problems in growth, maintenance, and use as a street tree. Examples: Trees with poor heath, disease, exceedingly slow growth rate, large-scale breakage and decay. Responsibility for determining if a tree is undesirable rests with the Tree Commission with the final approval for replacement by the City Council.

1. The Urban Forest Manager or designee shall recommend to the Tree Commission the removal and replacement of an undesirable tree if, in their professional judgment, they determine it is not performing adequately or based on tree health as a street tree.
    
2. A property owner may make a request for tree replacement by contacting the Urban Forest Manager or designee who will review the request and submit it to the Tree Commission with a recommendation. A processing fee will be collected when the request for removal is submitted, however if after review by the Tree Commission, the tree is determined to be dead the processing fee will be fully refunded. Replacements are generally planted in January through March.
    
3. If approved by the Commission, trees for replacement will be purchased and planted by the City in accordance with current tree planting policies and the Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection Ordinance (City of Davis Municipal Code Chapter 37).
    
4. Removal work will be governed by the availability of City tree crews. Timing of removal must consider the impact on the area. Block Renovation replacements in a small area may be scheduled over a period of several years.
    
5. The Urban Forest Manager or designee will determine the number of replacement trees to be planted. The number removed and the number planted may not necessarily be the same.
    
6. The property owner may request placement from those trees on the approved Master Street Tree List. However, final approval rests with the Urban Forest Manager or designee and the Tree Commission, as well as tree availability.
    
7. The City will endeavor to avoid excessive damage to lawns, ground cover, and shrubs in the working area during removal and replanting.