Ven-Mar Neighborhood Association

The City-owned Trees of Los Angeles

Advice from George Gonzalez, Chief Forester

August 7, 2001.

At the regular meeting of WANA on August 7, 2001, George Gonzalez , Chief Forester of the City of Los Angeles, was the guest speaker. He explained that when a telephoned request for trees on City-owned land such as on parkways was received by his office, an inspector is sent out to look over the proposed site and suggest a suitable species of tree for the specific location.. Trees are available from the City or from certain volunteer organizations, such as Tree People, or may be planted by a homeowner after receiving a Permit from Street Services. (Note: "Parkway" is the name given to the unpaved area between a property and the curb of the roadway. Although it is not part of the property and actually belongs to the City, the property owner is expected to take care of it.)

The City never applies insecticides or sprays. Routine maintenance (such as trimming) of all existing trees on public lands is at seven year intervals. A permit must be obtained before any City-owned tree is removed. Anyone seeing a City-owned tree being removed may phone in and check on permit status. Obviously, this action must be taken without delay, else the tree has been cut down before the illegality of this act has been established. A fine will not compensate for the loss of the tree.

George Gonzalez was accompanied to the meeting by William E. White, Assistant Director, Bureau of Street Services, Dept. Of Public Works, City of Los Angeles. William White may be reached at 213-485-5681, Fax 213-622-2375.
George Gonzalez, Chief Forester, Street Tree Division, Bureau of Street Services, City of Los Angeles, may be reached at 213-485-5675, Fax213-847-0158.

WANA will shortly be organized sufficiently to put the clout of numbers behind requests for City action. If you cannot wait and want to proceed on your own, please report the results to this website in "Talk About It" and/or to the appropriate WANA committee by phone, once there is some such.