STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
Subject: 9800 – 9900 South Santa Monica Boulevard Street Tree Master Plan
Attachments: 1. August 20, 2025 Report to Public Works Commission Liaison
2. Notice of South Santa Monica Street Tree Master Plan Final Recommendation to Affected Addresses
INTRODUCTION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the proposed action to use the Mexican Fan Palm to fill currently vacant sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard and use the Mexican Fan Palm as a replacement when Ficus trees are lost in the future. The recommendation is supported by the Public Works Commission.
DISCUSSION
Since the adoption of Phase II Street Tree Master Plan by the City Council in 1999, the City has removed Ficus trees from numerous streets due to infrastructure and public safety issues related to the invasive roots of the trees.
The aggressive root system of the Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard continues to damage both public and private infrastructure. The root cutting related to the repair of root-damaged infrastructure in the past has resulted in the loss of 18 trees or approximately 45% of the original 40 trees in the tree wells on the street.
As the trees grow larger, there will be increased incidence of infrastructure repair and loss of additional Ficus trees through destabilization and decline related to root cutting.
The proposed replacement tree, Mexican Fan Palm, has been used successfully on several Street Tree Master Plan projects in the past, including the section of South Santa Monica Boulevard directly to the east of the proposed project area where conditions are essentially the same. The Mexican Fan Palm is a good long-term fit when used as an avenue tree in a commercial setting where narrow setbacks and multi-story buildings limit both normal root development and aerial grow space. The tree fits the Public Works Commission’s replacement tree criteria, provided the annual trim cycle is maintained.
The development of the Street Tree Master Plan phase for this project began with a field visit to the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard by the Public Works Street Tree Master Plan Ad Hoc in October 2024. The issue was introduced to the Public Works
BEVERLY
HILLS
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Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
Commission during the November 14, 2024 meeting. The Commission heard and supported the staff recommendation to use the Mexican Fan Palm during the January 14, 2025 meeting. Input from the Public Works Liaison regarding the use of larger canopy trees was considered by the Commission at the June 12, 2025 meeting and reported back to the Public Works Liaison at a meeting on August 20, 2025 (Attachment 1). These meetings were broadcasted live and recorded for inclusion into the archive for future reference.
Staff met twice with the Public Works Liaison to discuss options that would provide additional grow space for a non-palm type tree in the narrow setbacks on most of the buildings in the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard. In addition to the narrow setback, the small tree wells, conflicts with awnings and vehicular traffic would require expansion of the current tree wells and/or sidewalk. In the end, it was determined that widening the sidewalk and/or constructing bulb-out tree wells to provide additional grow space for a canopy tree would adversely affect parking availability and traffic flow on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard. In summary, the palm best suits the currently available grow space.
The project would begin with the filling of vacant sites, where Ficus trees have been lost in the past. Remaining Ficus trees will be retained until such time as they decline to the point of death or are involved in an infrastructure repair that requires root removal to the point where the stability of the tree cannot be ensured. Several properties in the address range have significantly larger setbacks that are more conducive to long-term retention of the Ficus at those sites. The City will continue to provide an appropriate maintenance cycle for both tree types in the future.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The following public outreach was conducted for this project:
Over the past decade, staff has fielded numerous calls regarding the intrusive nature of the roots of the Ficus trees and damage to both public and private property, as well as the presence of biting insects and increased property maintenance costs related to the large size of the trees and the litter and fruit they produce.
All affected addresses were noticed of the following Public Works Commission discussions regarding the 9800-9900 block Ficus trees on South Santa Monica Boulevard:
o The November 14, 2024 Commission meeting regarding ongoing difficulties with the trees and the need to define and appropriate replacement tree
o The January 9, 2025 Commission meeting regarding the staff recommendation to use the Mexican Fan Palm to fill currently vacant tree sites and in the future when individual trees are lost to root intrusion problems.
o The June 12, 2025 Commission meeting which considered alternative replacement tree choices and the infrastructure modifications that would be necessary to implement these choices.
All affected addresses were noticed of the pending September 16, 2025 City Council Study Session discussion of the final staff recommendation to use Mexican Fan Palm as the replacement tree for Ficus on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard (Attachment 2).
Meeting Date: September 16, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT
The tree-related cost to install 18 Mexican Fan Palm trees, each 14 feet tall, at currently vacant sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard is approximately $42,000. The project will be prioritized within, and funded through, the existing Capital Improvement Program (CIP No. 0089) allocation for removal and replacement of trees through the Street Tree Master Plan program, which also includes the replacement of additional Ficus trees as conditions require.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the currently vacant sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard be planted with 14 foot tall Mexican Fan Palm trees and that the Mexican Fan Palm be used to replace the remaining Ficus trees when decline or structural stability issues arise in the future.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Works Commission Liaison
FROM: Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: August 20, 2025
SUBJECT: 9800-9900 South Santa Monica Boulevard Street Tree Master Plan ATTACHMENT: 1. January 9, 2025 9800-9900 South Santa Monica Street Tree Master Plan Report to Public Works Commission
2. July 17, 2025 South Santa Monica Street Tree Master Plan Update Report to Public Works Commission
RECOMMENDATION
Staff will provide an informational update on the Public Works Commission’s recommendation to use the Mexican Fan Palm as the replacement tree type for the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard.
INTRODUCTION
After following the typical Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) protocol for choosing an appropriate replacement tree for Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard, the staff recommendation to use the Mexican Fan Palm in the narrow growspace on the street was supported by the Public Works Commission (see attached report).
As part of the final approval by City Council, the proposed plan was presented to the City Council Liaison on March 26, 2025. At that time, the Liaisons encouraged staff to return to the Public Works Commission to consider options that would provide more canopy coverage than that offered by the Mexican Fan Palm.
BACKGROUND
Staff returned to the Public Works Commission to provide options that would support improved canopy coverage on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard.
In short, the challenge was to enlarge the growspace available to trees (i.e. tree well size, setback distance from the buildings) so that moderate sized canopy trees could be managed in a way that encouraged full canopy growth without the same public and private infrastructure conflicts the current Ficus tree planting has caused in the past.
DISCUSSION
In accordance with the City Council Liaison request, staff returned to the Public Works Commission at the July 17, 2025 meeting to discuss options for expanding the replacement tree palette for South Santa Monica in the interests of improving long term tree canopy coverage (see attached report). With the support of the Engineering Bureau, the following options were considered:
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1. Install floating islands into street to allow for a canopy tree (either at all tree sites, or every other tree site).
2. Widen the sidewalk to allow for canopy trees at all sites.
3. Maintain current configuration with Mexican Fan Palms as the replacement tree.
4. Maintain current configuration without selecting a replacement tree.
After a robust discussion, the Public Works Commission concluded that improving the growspace available for trees that would provide additional canopy would come at the expense of parking availability and traffic flow and would likely present financial concerns to the businesses on the street. The option that would leave the street treeless in the future was not supported by the Commission.
At the close of discussion, the Commission unanimously suggested that staff return to the Liaison to report that Mexican Fan Palm continues to be the recommended replacement tree for the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Boulevard.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the recommendation to use the Mexican Fan Palm as the replacement tree on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard is supported, there is no fiscal impact. The tree removal and replacement costs are funded through the CIP allotment for the Street Tree Master Plan program.
The approximate costs for optional improvements that would increase growspace by creating planters, enlarging tree wells, widening sidewalks or reconfiguring traffic flow are included in Attachment 2.
Attachment 1
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Works Commission
FROM: Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: January 9, 2025
SUBJECT: 9800-9900 South Santa Monica Boulevard Replacement Tree Type ATTACHMENTS: 1. October 30, 2024 Notification to 9800-9900 South Santa Monica Blvd.
2. November 14, 2024 Report to Public Works Commission
3. December 10, 2024 Notification to 9800-9900 South Santa Monica Blvd.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Public Works Commission:
1. Accept the staff recommendation to fill current vacant sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard with 14 foot tall Mexican Fan Palm trees and to replace declining Ficus trees as necessary in the future with Mexican Fan Palm trees installed at a size that will encourage height uniformity in the trees on the street.
2. Support the staff recommendation for City Council consideration and approval.
INTRODUCTION
As additional Ficus trees are lost to infrastructure conflicts on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica Boulevard, an alternate tree type is being recommended to fill current vacancies and to replace Ficus trees in the future as infrastructure repair related root cutting results in the destabilization or decline of the remaining Ficus trees.
BACKGROUND
Since the adoption of the Phase II Street Tree Master Plan by the City Council in 1999, the City has removed Ficus trees from numerous streets due infrastructure and public safety issues related to the invasive roots of the trees.
Over the past two decades, approximately 45% of the original 40 Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica have been lost to decline or instability related to the level of root cutting necessary to complete infrastructure repairs. There are currently 18 vacant street tree sites on the street that require planting.
The tree type that staff is proposing as the replacement tree for S. Santa Monica has been used successfully as a replacement for Ficus on past Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) projects including S. Santa Moncia Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and North Rexford Drive and in an alternating planting theme on Robertson Boulevard. The palm is a good fit for commercial areas that have narrow setbacks and multi-story buildings. 2 of 3
DISCUSSION
The recommendation to use the Mexican Fan Palm as a replacement on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica has been considered by the Public Works Street Tree Master Plan Ad Hoc during an October 2024 and subsequently by the Public Works Commission during the November 14, 2024 meeting (see attached report).
The open session Commission discussion on November 14th included a consideration of the site conditions and how potential replacement trees would perform long-term in the limited grow space and whether tree types being considered would fit the Public Works Commission’s criteria for replacement trees including:
• Is the tree appropriate to the growspace (e.g. parkway width, aerial setbacks)? • Does the tree have a proven performance record in the City of Beverly Hills or in a similar climate with similar growing conditions?
• Does the tree pose toxicity or allergen concerns to the public? • Is the tree appropriate to low water availability issues or drought? • Will the tree compliment the increased canopy coverage goals of the Urban Forest Management Plan?
• Will the tree significantly increase maintenance costs, to include costs related to private property maintenance and/or long-term City infrastructure repairs? • Is the tree type locally available in the size, quantity and condition appropriate for the current and future needs of the project?
While falling short in increasing tree canopy due to the limiting site conditions, the palm option meets the other criteria. One public comment to the Commission, which was included in the record of the meeting, suggested the use of a California native oak which, unfortunately, would not prove to be a long-term fit to the narrow grow space along the street.
At the close of discussion at the November 14th meeting, the Commission supported a staff recommendation to notice the affected properties that the City intends to fill the 18 currently vacant sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica with Mexican Fan Palm trees and to continue the use of the palm as a replacement in the future when addition losses are experienced among the 22 remaining Ficus trees. In the notice, property owners were encouraged to attend or submit comments for inclusion to the record at the January 9, 2025, Public Works Commission final discussion on the project prior to a staff recommendation seeking the approval of City Council (see attached notice).
In summary, the aggressive root system of the Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica Boulevard continue to damage both public and private infrastructure. The root cutting related to the repair of root-damaged infrastructure in the past has resulted in the loss of 18 trees or approximately 45% of the original 40 trees in the tree wells on the street. As the trees grow larger, there will be increased incidence of infrastructure repair and loss of additional trees through destabilization and decline related to root cutting. The proposed replacement tree, Mexican Fan Palm, has been used successfully on several Street Tree Master plan projects in the past. The tree provides a long-term benefit when used as an avenue tree in a commercial setting where narrow setbacks and multi-story buildings limit growspace. 3 of 3
NEXT STEPS
With the Commission’s support, staff will calendar an informational report for an upcoming City Council Study session that will be noticed to the public. With City Council support, the planting of 18 Mexican Fan Palm trees, with trunk heights of 14 feet, into currently vacant sites will be scheduled when concrete cut outs are completed. Additionally, Mexican Fan Palm trees, with an appropriate trunk height, will be installed when infrastructure repairs include root cutting that could destabilize a remaining Ficus tree.
FISCAL IMPACT
The tree related cost to install 18 Mexican Fan Palm trees, each 14 feet tall into currently vacant sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica Boulevard is approximately $42,000. The project will be prioritized within, and funded though, the existing CIP allotment for removal and replacement of trees through the Street Tree Master Plan program, to include the replacement of additional Ficus trees in the future as conditions necessitate.
City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-2467 f (310) 278-1838 BeverlyHills.org Ken Pfalzgraf
Department of Public Works
October 30, 2024
Subject: South Santa Monica Ficus Trees
Dear Property Owner:
At present, the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard are lined with Ficus trees Over the past decade, an increasing number of the trees have been removed in conjunction with sidewalk repairs that have necessitated root cutting which would destabilize the trees. Approximately 40 percent of the trees on this section of South Santa Monica Boulevard have been removed. Additional repair projects are likely to affect the remaining trees in the future.
At this time, the City is seeking to select a replacement tree to be used to fill the currently vacant tree sites. In addition, the City will use the new tree as a replacement in the future when sidewalk repairs require significant root cutting on the remaining Ficus trees.
The City invites you to a meeting of the Public Works Commission on November 14, 2024 to hear a discussion about the Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard. Staff will provide the Commission with a report on the performance of the trees since the time they were planted, as well as a summary of the issues the trees have presented over the past several years.
The meeting will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday November 14, 2024 and will be held in Room 280 A at Beverly Hills City Hall, located at 455 North Rexford Drive. Parking is available in the Library Parking structure, located on the east side of North Rexford Drive, midway between Santa Monica Boulevard and Burton Way. After parking, exit the parking structure on the west side and cross North Rexford Drive. As you enter City Hall at ground level on the North Rexford side, an attendant will check you in and direct you to Room 280 A, which is on the second floor of City Hall.
If you are unable to attend this meeting and have comments you wish to be formally presented during the meeting, or if you have any questions prior to the meeting, please contact me by telephone at (310) 285-2540 or via email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
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CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Works Commission
FROM: Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: November 14, 2024
SUBJECT:
ATTACHMENT:
9800-9900 South Santa Monica Ficus Tree Assessment
1. Meeting Notice to Properties on
9800-9900 South Santa Monica Blvd.
INTRODUCTION
At this time, staff seeks input from the Commission in the development of a Street Tree Master Plan phase to choose a replacement tree for the remaining Ficus (Ficus macrocarpa ‘Nitida”) trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard.
At present, there are 18 vacant sites, with the trend showing that addition losses can be expected among the remaining 22 Ficus trees in the future as root-related infrastructure repairs are necessary to ensure public safety. Work to date includes an on the street meeting with the Street Tree Master Plan ad hoc in early October 2024.
BACKGROUND
History of trees on S. Santa Monica Boulevard: the early history of the Beverly Hills street trees is summarized in a 1963 City document that outlines the Street Tree Plans of 1944, 1957 and 1963. The 1963 document includes a listing of Ficus trees on S. Santa Monica Boulevard, making the trees that remain at least 65 years old.
Over the history of the population, several factors have diminished the long-term performance of the trees; mainly root related conflicts between public and private infrastructure. Numerous sidewalk repairs over the past decade have required root cutting significant enough for the trees to be removed in the interests of public safety.
A 2000-2001 sidewalk repair project included the removal of 66 Ficus trees between S.
Crescent Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, due to root related damage to pedestrian sidewalks. The Mexican Fan Palm was chosen as the replacement tree, due to the narrow setback and small tree wells on S. Santa Monica.
In summary, continued sidewalk repairs over the past two decades have resulted in approximately 45 percent of the Ficus tree sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica being vacant at this time.
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DISCUSSION
The trend of sidewalk replacement sections on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica stems from the Ficus trees root systems not being compatible with small tree wells (3 feet x 3 feet). In addition, the crowns of the Ficus trees are not compatible with the narrow setback area between the curb and buildings, which averages 10 feet from the building face to the street on most buildings.
When considering replacement trees, the use of a hardwood canopy tree is challenging because the narrow setback provides little room for trees with any substantial crown size, especially when the trees are young. Young trees could impeded pedestrian travel and conflict with canopies that some owners have attached to the building frontages. In addition, most commercial shop owners do not prefer trees that block their commercial signage or trees that physically contact their buildings creating abrasive damage and additional building maintenance costs, especially on the roofs of the buildings.
Short of re-engineering the public right of way area to provide additional rooting area and aerial growspace for a canopy tree, a continuation of the Mexican Fan Palm planting which has been made on the street to the east seems prudent.
If the palm theme is continued, while falling short in the area of increasing tree canopy, the palm option meets the other criteria defined by the Public Works Commission for replacement tree selection, which includes:
• Is the tree appropriate to the growspace (e.g. parkway width, aerial setbacks)? • Does the tree have a proven performance record in the City of Beverly Hills or in a similar climate with similar growing conditions?
• Does the tree pose toxicity or allergen concerns to the public? • Is the tree appropriate to low water availability issues or drought? • Will the tree compliment the increased canopy coverage goals of the Urban Forest Management Plan?
• Will the tree significantly increase maintenance costs, to include costs related to private property maintenance and/or long-term City infrastructure repairs? • Is the tree type locally available in the size, quantity and condition appropriate for the current and future needs of the project?
These criteria must be considered within any staff report that is presented to the Public Works Commission prior to consideration by the City Council.
Replacement of Ficus trees: Staff suggests that the removal and replacement of remaining Ficus trees on S. Santa Monica occurs only under the following conditions:
1. A tree is standing dead
2. A tree is damaged (i.e. storm, vehicle impact) to the point where it poses a danger to the public
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3. A tree is destabilized during a construction project to the point where it is potentially unstable and/or presents a danger to the public.
Choice of replacement tree type: the replacement of a tree on a City street requires the development of a Street Tree Master Plan phase, if the type of tree being proposed is a change from what has historically lined the street. In addition, the balloting process for the selection of a new tree type must be responded to by more than 50% of the affected addresses for a recommendation to move through the Public Works Commission approval process and on to consideration by the City Council.
NEXT STEPS
Staff suggests that the Commission considers the input of the ad hoc as a first step in the development of a Street Tree Master Plan phase that selects a replacement tree for the Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica Boulevard. Upon Commission direction, the next phase will include providing ballots to owners and occupants on the impacted blocks with the recommended tree options and returning to the Commission with the results in February.
City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-2467 f (310) 278-1838 BeverlyHills.org Ken Pfalzgraf
Department of Public Works
December 10, 2024
Subject: South Santa Monica Ficus Trees
Re: Planting of vacant tree spots on 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica with new tree type Dear Property Owner,
This notice is sent to inform you of an issue regarding the Ficus trees along the 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard. As you may have noticed, there is an increasing number of vacant tree sites on the street as Ficus trees are removed in the repair and replacement of public and private infrastructure such as sidewalks, curbs and utilities. The root cutting required to repair damaged infrastructure has been so extensive that the stability of the trees could not be ensured. To date, 18 of the original 40 Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica have been removed due to conflict or decline issues.
Due to the intrusive nature of Ficus roots, the City has discontinued the use of Ficus as a street tree in the City and has replaced Ficus trees on numerous streets with different tree types. For example, the Ficus trees that lined the section of S. Santa Monica Boulevard, between Wilshire and North Rexford Drive, were replaced with Mexican Fan Palms as part of an infrastructure repair project in 2000-20001. Two decades later, the Mexican Fan Palms are thriving without damaging infrastructure, mainly because they are a fit to the narrow space between the street and the buildings on the street.
At this time, City staff is recommending that the vacant tree sites on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica are planted with Mexican Fan Palms and that Mexican Fan Palms are used for replacements in the future as additional Ficus trees require removal. The palms will be planted in a size that provides uniformity in the tree canopy on the street in the future.
Staff will make this recommendation to the Public Works Commission at their regular meeting of January 9, 2025, before seeking the final approval of the City Council. As part of the Commission’s consideration of the issue, the Commissioners will hear public comment. If you wish to have your opinion heard, please plan on attending.
The meeting will begin at 8:00 AM on January 9, 2025, and will be held in Room 280 A at Beverly Hills City Hall, located at 455 North Rexford Drive. Parking is available in the Library Parking structure, located on the east side of North Rexford Drive, midway between North Santa Monica Boulevard and Burton Way.
After parking, exit the parking structure on the west side and cross North Rexford Drive. As you enter City Hall at ground level on the North Rexford side, an attendant will check you in and direct you to Room 280 A, which is on the second floor of City Hall.
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City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-2467 f (310) 278-1838 BeverlyHills.org If you are unable to attend this meeting and have comments you wish to be formally presented during the meeting, or if you have any questions prior to the meeting, please contact me by email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
Attachment 2
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Works Commission
FROM: Samer Elayyan, P.E., Engineering Services Manager Teresa Revis, Associate Project Manager
Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: July 17, 2025
SUBJECT:
ATTACHMENTS:
South Santa Monica Boulevard - Street Tree Master Plan
1. January 9, 2025 South Santa Monica Ficus Public Works Commission Report and Public Notice
2. March 26, 2025 City Council Liaison Report
3. Options to allow for canopy trees
4. Tree Information Sheet
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Public Works Commission provide feedback on options that would provide for additional canopy trees on the 9800 and 9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard (SSMB).
INTRODUCTION
In January 2025, staff presented reports to the Public Works Commission (Attachment 1) and later to the City Council Liaison in March (Attachment 2), explaining that the Ficus trees are unsuitable for replanting on SSMB. The large canopy size and extensive root systems encroach on adjacent buildings, sidewalks, and the street. The City Arborist recommended the Mexican Fan Palm as the most viable alternative that would thrive in the constrained planting spaces close to the buildings. At the City Council Liaison meeting, staff was directed to explore additional tree options with more substantial canopy coverage suitable for this street. This report presents those options that would allow the City to plant canopy trees on SSMB in both currently vacant areas and future vacancies where the Ficus cannot be maintained.
BACKGROUND
Since the adoption of the Phase II Street Tree Master Plan by the City Council in 1999, the City has removed Ficus trees from numerous streets due to infrastructure and public safety issues related to the invasive roots of the trees. The invasive roots have caused the City to perform maintenance on the sidewalks to keep them safe for pedestrian travel. At this time, many of the locations along these blocks can no longer be maintained in this way and will require full removal and replacement next. The canopy of these trees is pruned annually to keep the branches from hitting the adjacent buildings. These concerns and the narrow planting space in the sidewalks led 2 of 3
the City Arborist to recommend Mexican Fan Palm as the most feasible replacement tree for the existing conditions.
DISCUSSION
There are currently 18 vacant sites in the 9800-9900 blocks of SSMB, where Ficus trees have been removed due to the significant root cutting necessary to perform sidewalk repairs and to address private property conflicts and development requirements.
Due to the narrow setbacks on the street, coupled with the small size of the tree wells and their placement in the setback, the recommendation of the City Arborist was to continue the planting of the Mexican Fan Palm, which was installed on SSMB to the east about 20 years ago, due to the same concerns. In addition, there are some commercial properties that have installed awnings that would conflict with a canopy tree, especially when the trees are young (see existing conditions in figures below).
At the City Council Liaison meeting on March 26, 2025, Staff was asked to look at alternative planting options for the 40 locations including a canopy tree. After review with the City Arborist, it was determined that additional planting space is required to allow space for roots and canopy of an alternative tree.
Four options have been identified for consideration:
1) Install floating islands into street to allow for a canopy tree (either at all tree sites, or every other tree site).
2) Widen the sidewalk to allow for canopy trees at all sites. 3) Maintain current configuration with Mexican Fan Palms as the replacement tree. 4) Maintain current configuration without selecting a replacement tree.
These options are described in detail below, with conceptual layouts shown in Attachment 3.
Option 1a: Install floating islands into the street to allow a larger root and canopy space for planting a shade tree. This option will be implemented at each of the 40 tree locations, allowing all canopy trees. By implementing this option, the street would lose approximately Ficus tree/tree well 9800/99800 S. Santa Monica Palm tree/tree well 9700 S. Santa Monica r •
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38 parking spaces out of the 75 spaces on the street. The cost of this option is roughly estimated at $3M1.
Option 1b: This option could be implemented at every other tree site. If this option is implemented, the impact would be approximately 19 removed parking spaces. The cost of this option is roughly estimated at $2.2M1.
Option 2: Extends the entire sidewalk by 5 feet to allow for moderate sized canopy trees.
This sidewalk extension would remove all 75 parking spaces. The cost of this option is roughly estimated at $6M2.
Option 3: Maintains the existing sidewalk configuration and uses Mexican Fan Palm as the replacement tree when needed due to existing vacancies and future loss. This option maintains the existing parking, allows for filling in the vacant tree locations while minimizing the maintenance required on the sidewalk and the tree canopy. The damaged sidewalk due to the root intrusion of the Ficus trees will need to be removed and replaced at an approximate cost of $50 per SF.
Option 4: Maintains the existing sidewalk configuration but does not provide a replacement tree. The 18 existing vacancies will remain vacant and as trees decline, additional vacancies will not be filled. The majority of the sidewalk near the existing Ficus trees are no longer able to be maintained and will now require sidewalk removal and replacement.
The cost for this is approximately $50 per SF.
If either Option 1 or 2 is selected to move forward, the City Arborist recommends choosing an Australian Willow (Geijera parviflora). This tree is a moderate sized evergreen tree. The low branching habit of the Australian Willow lends itself to a broad crowned tree, reaching 50 feet with age. This tree is becoming increasingly popular as a street tree in Southern California due to tits drought tolerance and ability to grow in cramped spaces with non-intrusive roots. The tree has 3”- 6” long evergreen leaves and has a weeping appearance. The flowers and fruits of the Australian Willow are inconspicuous with minimal debris. At the time of installation, a 36 inch box tree would be approximately 10 feet tall, with a crown spread of approximately 5 feet (Attachment 4).
Staff recommends replacing trees only when needed due to health of the tree or safety to the public. It is anticipated that the trees near the Peninsula Hotel (9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard) will be maintained in place since they do not have the same setback issues as the trees in the rest of the project area.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the Commission recommends Options 1 or 2, staff will develop a more detailed plan and cost estimate along with recommended funding source. The funding would need to be budgeted through the annual CIP process.
The tree removal and replacement costs are funded through the CIP allotment for removal and replacement of trees in the Street Tree Master Plan program. 1 The estimate includes all the civil work related to the floating islands, irrigation, utility relocation and traffic control. It excludes sidewalk repair, the tree removal, and tree replacement cost. 2 The estimate includes all the civil work, irrigation, utility relocation and traffic control. It excludes the tree removal and replacement cost.
Attachment 2
City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-2471 BeverlyHills.org Teresa Revis
Department of Public Works
August 27, 2025
Subject: 9800-9900 South Santa Monica tree replacement recommendation at September 16, 2025 City Council Study Session Meeting starting at 2:30 PM
Dear Property Owner:
This notice is to inform you of an issue regarding the Ficus trees along 9800-9900 blocks of South Santa Monica Boulevard. As previously noticed, there is an increasing number of vacant tree sites on the street as Ficus trees are removed in the repair and replacement of public and private infrastructure such as sidewalks, curbs and utilities. The root cutting required to repair damaged infrastructure has been so extensive that the stability of the trees could not be ensured. To date, 18 of the original 40 Ficus trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica have been removed due to conflict or decline issues.
On February 13, 2025 (Public Works Commission), March 13, 2025 (City Council / Public Works Liaison), July 17, 2025 (Public Works Commission), and August 20, 2025 (City Council / Public Works Liaison) staff provided options and recommendations for replacement trees on the 9800-9900 blocks of S. Santa Monica along with the parking impacts of those options. Both the Public Works Commission and the City Council/Public Works Liaison agreed with the staff recommendation that Mexican Fan Palms are used for replacements for the vacant tree sites as well as in the future as additional Ficus trees require removal. The recommendation is now on the City Council agenda for the afternoon Study Session of September 16, 2025.
The meeting will begin at 2:30 PM on September 16, 2025, and will be held in Council Chambers at Beverly Hills City Hall, located at 455 North Rexford Drive. Parking is available in the Library Parking structure, located on the east side of North Rexford Drive, midway between North Santa Monica Boulevard and Burton Way. After parking, exit the parking structure on the west side and cross North Rexford Drive. As you enter City Hall at ground level on the North Rexford side, an attendant will check you in and direct you to Council Chambers, which is on the second floor of City Hall. The meeting agenda and details on how to join virtually will be posted here:
www.beverlyhills.org/citycouncilmeetings
If you are unable to attend this meeting and have comments you wish to be formally presented during the meeting, or if you have any questions prior to the meeting, please contact me by email at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Teresa Revis
Teresa Revis
Associate Project Manager
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
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