ITEM A-2 — Beverly Hills City Council, September 22, 2026

STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Teresa Revis, Associate Project Manager
Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
Subject: Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan
Attachments: 1. Chinese Pistache Tree Information Sheet

2. August 12, 2026, City Council / Public Works Commission Liaison Committee Report

3. Notices to Coldwater Cañon Drive Property Owners

INTRODUCTION
Staff requests that City Council approve the update to the Street Tree Master Plan to fill currently vacant sites on Coldwater Cañon Drive with Chinese Pistache trees and use the Chinese Pistache tree as a replacement tree when future Canary Island Pine trees are lost in the future. The recommendation is supported by the Public Works Commission and the Public Works Commission / City Council Liaison.

DISCUSSION
The Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) trees along Coldwater Cañon Drive are approximately 75 years old. Since the time of their planting, several factors have diminished the long-term performance of the trees, mainly the activity of boring insects and drought conditions. The area of the City north of Sunset Boulevard is designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Canary Island Pines are undesirable for planting on both public and private property in a VHFHSZ because they drop thick, dry needles that burn fast; additionally, the Fire Department has requested increased spacing of street trees in the VHFHSZ to reduce the risk of high intensity crown fires that spread from tree to tree.

Due to these significant concerns, the Canary Island Pine has not been successful when attempting to establish replacement trees and is not sustainable as a street tree in the City of Beverly Hills. At present there are approximately 50 vacant tree sites on Coldwater Cañon Drive.

Meeting Date: September 22, 2026

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During the March 13, 2025, Public Works Commission meeting, the Commission supported a staff recommendation that a Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) phase, which includes the identification of possible new tree types to be used when Canary Island Pines are lost, be developed for Coldwater Cañon Drive. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, the City held a Public Works Commission Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee meeting on the street with staff, Public Works Commissioner Mark Nehoray, and residents to discuss the declining pine trees, observe the problematic conditions, and review alternative trees, which were available to view in 36-inch box size samples. After the meeting, staff returned to the Public Works Commission on July 17, 2025, and received direction to move forward with presenting the options in a ballot to all property owners on Coldwater Cañon Drive.

The Street Tree Master Plan Process is outlined in the City of Beverly Hills Street Tree Master Plan Focused Study dated November 26, 1996, and its associated Resolution 96-R-2525.

The selection criteria of a replacement tree include extensive knowledge of trees, the City’s specific environment, and horticultural needs and restrictions. Some of the factors that are included in the selection are:

1. Is the tree appropriate to the growspace (e.g. parkway width, aerial setbacks)?

2. Does the tree have a proven performance record in the City of Beverly Hills or in a similar climate with similar growing conditions?

3. Does the tree pose toxicity or allergen concerns to the public?

4. Is the tree appropriate to low water availability issues or drought?

5. Will the tree complement the increased canopy coverage goals of the Urban Forest Management Plan?

6. Will the tree significantly increase maintenance costs, to include costs related to private property maintenance and/or long-term City infrastructure repairs?

7. Is the tree type locally available in the size, quantity and condition appropriate for the current and future needs of the project?
While the existing Canary Island Pines offer significant canopy coverage, reaching between 80 feet and 120 feet tall, the recommended options each provide a canopy more effective at the pedestrian scale and can be planted closer together without posing an increased fire risk.

Staff mailed a ballot to the owners of the 67 properties located on Coldwater Cañon Drive on October 3, 2025. The ballot offered four choices:

1. No replacement (leave existing and future tree vacancies empty);

2. Replace with Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis), a colorful deciduous tree;

3. Replace with Holly Oak (Quercus ilex), an evergreen tree; or

4. Replace with Sky Climber Oak (Quercus virginiana ‘Sky Climber’), a semideciduous variety of Southern Live Oak.

Information sheets for each of the proposed tree types were mailed to each property owner with each ballot. (Attachment 2.)
When this initial ballot failed to gain a majority, staff sent subsequent ballots to the remaining properties on November 18, 2025, January 6, 2026, March 2, 2026, and May 14, 2026, with a total of 247 ballots mailed to the owners across the five rounds. The notice Meeting Date: September 22, 2026

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of the ballot was also emailed to property owners with email addresses on file with Utility Billing.

Of the 67 total properties, the City has now received 43 responses (64%). Six (6) of these responses requested no change, and 37 responses selected a replacement tree (55%), meeting the minimum goal of over 50% positive response.

The responses are summarized in the table below:

Ballot selection Votes
Percentage of
positive
responses (37)
Percentage of
all properties
(67)
Chinese Pistache 21 57% 31%
Holly Oak 12 32% 18%
Sky Climber Oak 4 11% 6%
Total selecting a replacement 37 100% 55%
No change 6 — 9%
Total overall responses 43 — 64%
Among owners who expressed a species preference, the Chinese Pistache was the clear choice. The Chinese Pistache tree is a moderately sized deciduous tree with a broad oval crown. Depending upon water and other environmental conditions, the tree typically grows quickly for the first years after planting, up to about 20 feet, and then slowly after that, likely taking over 30 years to get to the mature size of approximately 40 feet tall and nearly as wide. The deep green lance-shaped leaves are approximately 10 inches long. Before dropping to the ground in late fall, the leaves turn brilliant red. Male trees produce no fruit.

Pruning requirements are minimal once the structure is established. The tree tolerates different soil types and is considered a low-water-use tree once established.

The Chinese Pistache tree will be used only to fill vacancies and replace pines as they are lost; no healthy tree will be removed to plant a new one. The Chinese Pistache tree is available in 36-inch box size containers, and, at the time of installation, would be approximately 10 feet tall with a crown spread of approximately five feet. The Chinese Pistache develops to 40 feet tall at maturity (Attachment 1, Chinese Pistache tree information sheet).

As previously stated, there are approximately 50 vacant tree sites currently on Coldwater Cañon Drive. The Chinese Pistache trees will be planted near the vacant sites but not exactly over the previous tree location, per Urban Forestry standards. The remaining Canary Island Pine trees will continue their existing maintenance plan, will continue to be evaluated through the Urban Forestry Division, and will be kept in place as long as they are healthy.

The removal and replacement of Canary Island Pines on Coldwater Cañon Drive would only occur under the following conditions:

1. A site is currently vacant;

2. A tree is standing dead;

3. A tree is damaged (i.e. storm, vehicle impact) to the point where it poses a danger to the public; or

4. A tree is destabilized by root-pruning during a construction project to the point where it is potentially unstable and/or presents a danger to the public.

Meeting Date: September 22, 2026

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One Commissioner dissented, citing the low response rate (43 of 67 properties) and the fact that only 31% of all property owners selected the Chinese Pistache, and advocated for an additional ballot round before proceeding.

The results were subsequently presented to the Public Works Commission / City Council Liaison, Councilmember Friedman and Councilmember Pynoos, on August 13, 2026.

They agreed with the staff recommendation based on the public Street Tree Master Plan process.

PUBLIC OUTREACH
The following public outreach was conducted for this project:
 All addresses on Coldwater Cañon Drive were noticed of the following public meetings:
o Public Works Commission Meeting – March 13, 2025 – staff recommendation to initiate the Street Tree Master Plan phase for Coldwater Cañon Drive o Public Works Commission Coldwater Cañon Drive STMP Ad Hoc meeting – Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Public meeting to review the recommended options in person and review the concerns about the existing Canary Island Pines o Public Works Commission Meeting – July 17, 2025 – approval to ballot the property owners
o Public Works Commission Meeting – June 11, 2026 – final ballot results o City Council Meeting date of September 1, 2026
o City Council Meeting date of September 22, 2026
 Ballots were mailed to property owners on:
o October 3, 2025 (all property owners)
o November 18, 2025 (all property owners that had not voted) o January 6, 2026 (all property owners that had not voted) o March 2, 2026 (all property owners that had not voted) o May 14, 2026 (all property owners that had not voted)  Residents with emails available through Utility Billing were emailed of the following:
o May 14, 2026, Notice of the fifth ballot to all the remaining owners that had not voted
o August 18, 2026, Notice to all property owners of the September 1, 2026, City Council meeting
o September 11, 2026, Notice to all property owners of the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting

FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for purchase and installation is approximately $2,000 per tree or $100,000 for the 50 currently vacant spaces, which is within the existing Street Tree Master Plan budget. Any future removals would occur only under the conditions above and would be budgeted as needed in subsequent years.

Meeting Date: September 22, 2026

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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the current vacant tree sites on Coldwater Cañon Drive be filled with Chinese Pistache trees as selected by the majority of responding property owners and use the Chinese Pistache to fill future replacements as the existing Canary Island Pine trees decline. This recommendation is supported by the Public Works Commission.

Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
City of Beverly Hills-Public Works Department
310-285-1000
The Chinese Pistache is a moderate sized deciduous tree with a broad oval crown at maturity when it can be 40 feet tall and nearly as wide. The deep green lance-shaped leaves can be up to 10 inches long and are arranged in an alternating pattern. Before dropping to the ground in late fall, the leaves turn brilliant red. Male trees produce no fruit. Pruning requirements are minimal, once the structure of young trees is established though train pruning to develop a strong central leader. The tree tolerates different soil types and is known to be a low water user once established.

The Chinese Pistache is available in 36-inch box size containers. At the time of installation, a 36-inch box tree would be approximately 10 feet tall, with a crown spread of approximately 5 feet.

The Chinese Pistache will be a new introduction into the Beverly Hills street tree inventory.
* Note: As a reference for scale, the individual in the photograph is approximately 6 feet tall.

Tree Information Sheet
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Moderate-aged Chinese Pistache-Santa Clarita, CA Chinese Pistache leaves-fall color *36” box Chinese Pistache
Attachment 2

CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council / Public Works Commission Liaison Committee FROM: Teresa Revis, Associate Project Manager
Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: August 12, 2026
SUBJECT:

ATTACHMENT:

Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan

1. July 17, 2025, Public Works Commission Report, Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan Update

2. March 13, 2025, Public Works Commission Report, Coldwater Canyon Pine Tree Assessment

3. Ballot Package

RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Liaison:

1. Accept the staff and Public Works Commission recommendation to use Chinese Pistache trees — selected through a vote by Coldwater Cañon Drive property owners — to fill vacant tree sites and to replace Canary Island Pines only as they are lost.

2. Support the recommendation for City Council consideration and approval.

INTRODUCTION
At the June 11, 2026, Public Works Commission Meeting, the Commission reviewed the results of the public process of selecting an updated Street Tree Master Plan for Coldwater Cañon Drive.

At this time, staff seeks support from the City Council / Public Works Commission Liaison Committee (Liaison) for a Street Tree Master Plan to replace the Canary Island Pine Trees on Coldwater Cañon Drive with the Chinese Pistache tree selected by the largest share of responding property owners. This project was initiated by staff to determine an appropriate replacement tree and address the increasing tree vacancies on the street. If approved, the Chinese Pistache tree will only be used to fill existing vacant tree locations and as Canary Island Pines fail in the future.

BACKGROUND
The Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) trees along Coldwater Cañon Drive are approximately 75 years old. Since the time of their planting, several factors have diminished the long-term performance of the trees, mainly the activity of boring insects and drought conditions. The area of the City north of Sunset Boulevard is designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Canary Island Pines are undesirable for planting on both public and private property in a VHFHSZ because they drop thick, dry needles that burn fast; additionally, the Fire Department has requested increased spacing of street trees in the VHFHSZ to reduce the risk of high intensity crown fires that spread from tree to tree.
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Due to these significant concerns, the Canary Island Pine is not sustainable as a street tree in the City of Beverly Hills. At present there are approximately 50 vacant tree sites on Coldwater Cañon Drive.

During the March 13, 2025, Public Works Commission meeting, the Commission supported a staff recommendation that a Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) phase, which includes the identification of possible new tree types to be used when Canary Island Pines are lost, be developed for Coldwater Cañon Drive. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, staff, along with Commissioner Mark Nehoray, Public Works Commission Coldwater Street Tree Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee met on the street with residents to discuss the declining pine trees, observe the problematic conditions, and review alternative trees, which were available to view in 36-inch box size samples.

After the meeting, staff returned to the Public Works Commission on July 17, 2025, and received direction to move forward with presenting the options in a ballot to all property owners on Coldwater Cañon Drive.

The Street Tree Master Plan Process is outlined in the City of Beverly Hills Street Tree Master Plan Focused Study dated November 26, 1996, and its associated resolution 96-R-2525.

The selection of a replacement tree includes extensive knowledge of trees, our specific environment and horticultural needs and restrictions. Some of the factors that are included in the selection are:

1. Is the tree appropriate to the growspace (e.g. parkway width, aerial setbacks)?

2. Does the tree have a proven performance record in the City of Beverly Hills or in a similar climate with similar growing conditions?

3. Does the tree pose toxicity or allergen concerns to the public?

4. Is the tree appropriate to low water availability issues or drought?

5. Will the tree complement the increased canopy coverage goals of the Urban Forest Management Plan?

6. Will the tree significantly increase maintenance costs, to include costs related to private property maintenance and/or long-term City infrastructure repairs?

7. Is the tree type locally available in the size, quantity and condition appropriate for the current and future needs of the project?
Staff mailed a ballot to the owners of the 67 properties on Coldwater Cañon on October 3, 2025.

The ballot offered four choices:

1. No replacement (leave existing and future tree vacancies empty)

2. Replace with Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis), a colorful deciduous tree

3. Replace with Holly Oak (Quercus ilex), an evergreen tree

4. Replace with Sky Climber Oak (Quercus virginiana ‘Sky Climber’), a semi-deciduous variety of Southern Live Oak
Information sheets for each of the proposed tree types were mailed to each property owner with each ballot.

DISCUSSION
Staff sent ballots to the property owners on October 3, 2025. When this initial ballot failed to gain a majority, staff sent subsequent ballots to the remaining properties on November 18, 2025, 3 of 3
January 6, 2026, March 2, 2026, and May 14, 2026, with a total of 247 ballots mailed to the owners across the five rounds.

Of the 67 properties, the City has now received 43 responses (64%). Six (6) of these responses requested no change and 37 responses selected a replacement tree (55%), meeting the minimum goal of over 50% positive response.

The responses are summarized in the table below:

Ballot selection Votes Percent of positive
responses (37)
Percent of all
properties (67)
Chinese Pistache 21 57% 31%
Holly Oak 12 32% 18%
Sky Climber Oak 4 11% 6%
Total selecting a replacement 37 100% 55%
No change 6 — 9%
Total overall responses 43 — 64%
Among owners who expressed a species preference, the Chinese Pistache was the clear choice, and because it will be used only to fill vacancies and replace pines as they are lost, no healthy tree is removed to plant one.

As previously stated, there are approximately 50 vacant tree sites currently on Coldwater Cañon.

The remaining Canary Island Pine trees will continue on their existing maintenance plan and will continue to be evaluated through the Urban Forestry Division and will be kept in place as long as they are healthy.

The removal and replacement of Canary Island Pines on Coldwater Cañon Drive would only occur under the following conditions:

1. A site is currently vacant

2. A tree is standing dead

3. A tree is damaged (i.e. storm, vehicle impact) to the point where it poses a danger to the public

4. A tree is destabilized by root-pruning during a construction project to the point where it is potentially unstable and/or presents a danger to the public.

On June 11, 2026, staff presented the results of the ballot to the Public Works Commission. Four public comments were received and read into the record, all stating that they did not agree with the Chinese Pistache tree as a replacement. The Commission approved the recommendation by 3-to-1 vote (one Commissioner was not in attendance). One Commissioner dissented, citing the low response rate (43 of 67 properties) and the fact that only 31% of all property owners selected the Chinese Pistache, and advocated for an additional ballot round before proceeding.

FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for purchase and installation of each tree is approximately $2,000 or $100,000 for the 50 currently vacant spaces which is within the existing Street Tree Master Plan budget. Any future removals would occur only under the conditions above and would be budgeted as needed in subsequent years.

ATTACHMENT 1

CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Works Commission
FROM: Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: July 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan Update ATTACHMENTS: 1. March 13, 2025 Coldwater Cañon Drive Staff Report to PWC

2. Onsite Meeting Notice to Coldwater Cañon Drive Property Owners

3. Tree Information Sheets for Potential New Tree Types

4. Sample Ballot Form for Coldwater Cañon Drive STMP Project

INTRODUCTION
At this time, staff seeks the support of the Commission in surveying the property owners of Coldwater Cañon Drive to select a new tree type to be used to fill currently vacant City tree sites and to be used as Canary Island Pine trees are lost in the future.

BACKGROUND
Information regarding the historical performance of Canary Island Pines on Coldwater Cañon Drive, as well as its undesirability in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones is provided in the staff report to the Commission dated March 13, 2025 (Attachment 1).

During the March 13, 2025 meeting, the Commission supported the staff recommendation to develop a Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) for Coldwater Cañon Drive. This phase would identify new tree types to replace Canary Island Pines as they are lost. Staff suggested beginning the process with an onsite meeting where residents could observe and discuss problematic conditions firsthand, as well as view and evaluate potential new tree candidates.

Following input from residents who attend the street meeting, the Commission would determine next steps for developing the STMP phase for this street.

DISCUSSION
After noticing residents of the street (Attachment 2), the onsite meeting was held on Coldwater Cañon Drive on Sunday May 18, 2025. The meeting was attended by four residents from different addresses, representing approximately 5.8% of Coldwater addresses (4 out of 69 total addresses on the street). Staff was joined by a member of the Public Works Commission Street Tree Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee.

The meeting began with a discussion of data regarding the pine trees' performance since their planting in the 1950s. All of the attendees expressed a high value for the existing pines. The group then discussed three types of trees recommended by the City Arborist as appropriate candidates to fill currently vacant tree sites and to serve as replacements as pines on the street are lost in the future (Attachment 3). The City Arborist advised attendees that each of the trees being displayed on the street in 36 inch box-sized samples, meet the criteria set forth by the 2 of 2
Public Works Commission for the consideration of replacement tree candidates fin the development of a STMP phase. That criteria 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 complement 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?
In addition to being able to see physical samples of the nursery stock available for the recommended tree types, the attendees were provided with tree information sheets (see attached) for each of the proposed tree types, which are:
• Chinese Pistache (Pistache chinensis), a colorful deciduous tree • Holly Oak (Quercus ilex), an evergreen tree
• Sky Climber Oak (Quercus virginiana ‘Sky Climber’), a semi-deciduous variety of Southern Live Oak
At the close of the May 18, 2025 onsite meeting, the group generally agreed that the tree species that loses all its leaves annually was not appealing, but found one of the oak varieties more acceptable. However, some attendees indicated a preference to not replace the pines with any other tree type.

NEXT STEPS
Staff suggests that the Commission considers the input of the ad hoc and public comment prior to supporting the staff recommendation to ballot the residents of the street to choose a tree type to fill current and future vacancies on Coldwater Cañon Drive.

A sample of the balloting form is included as Attachment 4. The ballot allows the respondent to choose between making no change and leaving lost pine sites vacant and choosing one of the recommended tree types chosen by majority vote.

When 51% or more of the addresses on the street respond to the ballot, staff will return to the Commission to seek the approval of the new tree type. Once the STMP phase for Coldwater Cañon Drive is approved by the Commission, staff will seek City Council approval for the project.

ATTACHMENT 2

CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

MEMORANDUM
TO: Public Works Commission
FROM: Ken Pfalzgraf, City Arborist
DATE: March 13, 2025
SUBJECT: Coldwater Canyon Pine Tree Assessment
ATTACHMENT: 1. Public Notice of Coldwater Trees Discussion at Mach 13, 2025 Public Works Commission Meeting

INTRODUCTION
At this time, staff seeks input from the Commission in the public outreach process to choose an appropriate tree to replace Canary Island Pines on Coldwater Canyon as they are lost in the future.

The Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) trees that line Coldwater Canyon Drive are approximately 75 years old. Over the history of the population, several factors have diminished the long-term performance of the trees; mainly the activity of boring insects and drought conditions. Since the northern part of the City was declared a High Severity Fire Zone (HSFZ) several years ago, the Coldwater pines have joined the list of trees that are undesirable for planting on both public and private property. Furthermore, the City’s Fire Department has suggested that increasing the spacing of street trees in the HSFZ would reduce the risk of high intensity crown fires that spread from tree to tree.

An ongoing infrastructure repair project that will replace some curbs, drive aprons and sidewalks in the vicinity of some trees will further impact the health and longevity of the tree population. The project will include the repair of infrastructure that has been damaged or displaced by the roots of the trees. The level of root cutting necessary to effect the repairs will be significant enough that the stability of some trees will come into question. Root cutting will also decrease the ability of trees to hydrate themselves, making them increasingly susceptible to boring insect attack in the future.

In summary, due to several significant concerns, the Canary Island Pine is not sustainable as a street tree in the City of Beverly Hills.

BACKGROUND
The history of the Beverly Hills street tree population is summarized in the Street Tree Plan documents of 1944, 1957 and 1963. Within the 160 projects listed within those documents, the only reference to the Coldwater Canary Island Pines is an inventory listing showing that there were 262 trees. Real estate listings suggest that the majority of the residential homes along Coldwater were built in the 1950’s, meaning that the street tree 2 of 4
plantings were relatively young when they were listed in the 1963 Street Tree document.

The original plantings are now approximately 75 years old.

The City completed its online inventory of public trees in 2001, about the time the Coldwater pines had been in the ground for 50 years. In addition to providing information about the current number of trees and their sizes, the inventory maintains work history records for each tree in the inventory.

The work records for the Coldwater pines show that, in the last 20 years, approximately a third of the original trees have been lost, mainly due to the activity of bark beetles that attack drought stressed trees. A small percentage of the trees (approximately two percent) required removal due to potential instability related to construction activity necessary to repair infrastructure damage caused by the trees.

Typically, one tree is lost to the activity of the beetle, then over a period of three to five years, other adjacent trees are lost to localized beetle activity. The loss of trees to beetles tends to be in clusters, which leaves holes in the canopy and new wind exposures to trees that had enjoyed the protection from wind that neighboring trees offered in the past. The resulting twisting and failing limbs create wounds that provide new feeding sites for the ever-present bark beetles. The historic trendline shows that an increasing number of trees will be lost to beetles and drought in the future. At present, there are 39 vacant sites waiting to be planted.

DISCUSSION
Future use of Canary Island Pine as a street tree in Beverly Hills: Using Canary Island Pine as a replacement tree when losses are incurred has proven marginally successful, with inventory records showing that 47 percent of the replacement sites failing within the first 10 years after replanting. Increasing temperatures, coupled with higher water costs, make it increasingly clear that the Canary Island Pine is not sustainable as the street tree for Coldwater Canyon Drive.

A recent third party study of the City’s Urban Forest (Dudek’s Urban Forest Management Plan or UFMP) concluded that several currently used street tree types are not suitable for the higher temperatures and decreased rainfall that are anticipated for the future. Canary Island Pine was among those tree types identified in the report.

Finally, the City Fire Department has listed a number of tree types that are not suitable for planting in High Severity Fire Zones (HSFZ); Canary Island Pine is included in the list.

In summary, Canary Island Pine is not a sustainable tree for use in the future in the City of Beverly Hills.

Replacement of Canary Island Pine trees: Staff suggests that the removal and replacement of Canary Island Pines on Coldwater occurs only under the following conditions:

1. A tree is standing dead
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2. A tree is damaged (i.e. storm, vehicle impact) to the point where it poses a danger to the public

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 planted 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 forward to the Public Works Commission, and then on for consideration by the City Council.

With the Canary Island Pine not being appropriate for future planting on Coldwater Canyon, the selection of replacement tree candidates will include the following criteria:
• 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 considerations must be included in any staff report that is presented to the Public Works Commission prior to consideration by the City Council.

In March of 2024, staff met with the Public Works Commission Street Tree Master Plan ad hoc on Coldwater Canyon Drive near Cabrillo Reservoir. The discussion began with a review of how the historic data is displayed in the performance of the trees in the field.

In addition, consideration was given to the Fire Department’s position that conifers are not desirable in the High Severity Fire Zone, meaning that an alternative tree type would need to be chosen to fill current and future vacancies as further attrition is experienced in the pines.

In summary, given the inappropriateness of the Canary Island Pine in the HSFZ, staff recommends developing a Street Tree Master Plan phase for Coldwater Canyon to consider a replacement tree type and appropriate spacing at planting to compliment Fire Department mitigation efforts.

NEXT STEPS
Staff has noticed property owners on Coldwater Canyon that a discussion regarding the Coldwater pine street trees will be on the agenda for the March 13, 2025 Public Works 4 of 4
Commission to include a staff recommendation that an on the street meeting be held with Coldwater property owners to discuss current conditions and to consider replacement tree alternatives.

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
February 20, 2025
Subject: Discussion of Coldwater Pine tree issues on March 13, 2025 at the Public Works Commission meeting Dear Property Owner:

At present, Coldwater Canyon is lined with Canary Island Pine City street trees. In addition to being questioned as an appropriate tree for an area recognized as having increased fire hazard, the Canary Island Pine continues to struggle with performance issues related to drought and insect susceptibility. At present, there are approximately 40 vacant sites where Canary Island Pines have been lost. Given the circumstances, staff is recommending that it would not be prudent to continue to plant pine trees on Coldwater Canyon.

The City invites you to a meeting of the Public Works Commission on Thursday, March 13, 2025 to hear a discussion on the performance of the Coldwater Canyon street trees. At this meeting, staff will provide the Commission with a full report that addresses the specific concerns related to the long-term use of Canary Island Pine as a street tree in the northern parts of the City.

Staff will recommend that the Commission review the staff report and then support a staff recommendation to hold a meeting with Coldwater property owners on the street to review current conditions and to review some potential trees that could be planted to fill vacant sites now and to plant in the future as additional pines are lost to decline or insect infestation.

The meeting will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 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 via email at [email protected] .

Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-1000 f (310) 278-1838 BeverlyHills.org Ken Pfalzgraf, Department of Public Works
April 22, 2025
Re: Tree Selection Meeting for Vacant Street Tree Sites on Coldwater Canyon Meeting on May 18, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the Cabrillo Reservoir (Cabrillo and Coldwater Canyon) Dear Property Owner:

At present, Coldwater Canyon Drive is lined with Canary Island Pine trees that were installed when the homes were developed in the 1950s. In addition to being identified as an undesirable tree type in high severity fire zones, the Coldwater pines have become the target of wood boring insects, especially as the availability of water continues to decline. Currently, there are approximately 40 trees sites that are vacant.

In March 2025, City staff discussed the historic performance of the Canary Island Pine on Coldwater Canyon Drive with the Public Works Commission. The discussion included a staff recommendation that sites that are currently vacant should be planted with another tree type that is not a pine. The new tree type would be drought resistant, resistant to bark beetles and not be among those trees listed as undesirable for use in areas identified by fire agencies to have an increased susceptibility to wildfires. The Public Works Commissioners supported the staff recommendation to hold an on the street meeting with property owners on Coldwater Canyon Drive to discuss the staff report and to review several different tree types that could be considered to fill vacant tree sites and replace Canary Island Pines that are lost in the future.

You are invited to attend an on the street meeting with representatives of the Public Works Commission and the City Arborist on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 2 p.m. We will meet near Cabrillo Reservoir (Cabrillo and Coldwater Canyon), which is within walking distance of most addresses on Coldwater Canyon. We anticipate the meeting will last approximately 1.5 hours, during which we will review the staff report, observe current conditions first-hand, and learn more about the trees that are being suggested for use in the future.

The input given by attendees will be used to inform a staff report on next steps to be presented to the Public Works Commission at the June 2025 meeting.

We look forward to meeting with you at 2 p.m. at the Cabrillo Reservoir (Cabrillo and Coldwater Canyon), on May 18, 2025.

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 via email at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
ATTACHMENT 3
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
September 30, 2025
Subject: Coldwater Canyon Street Tree Master Plan Ballot TIME SENSITIVE: Please return your ballot in the enclosed postage paid envelope by November 3, 2025 Dear Property Owner:

At present, Coldwater Canyon is lined with Canary Island Pine, City Street trees. In addition to being questioned as an appropriate tree for an area recognized as having increased fire hazard, the Canary Island Pine continues to struggle with performance issues related to drought and insect susceptibility. Currently, there are approximately 40 vacant sites where Canary Island Pines have been lost. Staff has worked closely with the Public Works Commission to consider the appropriateness of Canary Island Pine trees on Coldwater Canyon. These discussions have taken place at on-site meetings on Coldwater Canyon with the Public Works Commission ad hoc (May 20, 2024) as well as with residents on May 18, 2025, and at Public Works Commission Meetings on March 13, 2025 and July 17, 2025. At the July meeting, the Public Works Commission supported the staff recommendation to ballot Coldwater Canyon property owners to select a replacement tree to fill current and future vacant tree sites (see attached report).

The City is reaching out to seek your input. The following options are presented in the attached ballot:
• Chinese Pistache (Pistachia chinensis), a colorful deciduous tree • Holly Oak (Quercus ilex), an evergreen tree
• Sky Climber Live Oak (Quercus virginiana ‘Sky Climber’), a columnar semi-deciduous variety of Southern Live Oak
Included with the ballot are information sheets about the replacement tree types being considered to assist you in making your decision.

The City requires that more than 50% of the property owners on the affected street support a proposed street tree replacement project. Please complete the ballot and return it to the city using the provided self-addressed envelope before November 3, 2025. It is important that you provide your name and address for the ballot to be considered.

Staff will be updating the Public Works Commission monthly on the results of the balloting until such time as the more than 50% criteria is met. Once the majority requirement is met, the results of the balloting will become the basis for the staff recommendation to the Public Works Commission, which will be presented in a publicly noticed meeting later this year. With the support of the Commission, the recommendation will move forward to City Council for approval and implementation if necessary.

City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-2467 f (310) 278-1838 BeverlyHills.org Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. If you have any questions, comments or need assistance in completing your ballot, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at [email protected] .

Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
Thank you for returning your ballot in the attached envelope by November 3, 2025.

City of Beverly Hills
Coldwater Canyon Drive
Street Tree Master Plan Ballot
Replacement trees (please choose only one (1) of the selections)  1. No change, do not plant new trees when an existing Pine tree is lost.  2. Plant a new 36” box size tree type into existing vacant sites or when a Pine tree is lost to decline in the future.

Choose one (1) tree (see attached tree information sheets):

Name: _______________________
Address: _______________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis) deciduous tree with bright red fall color Sky Climber Live Oak (Quercus virginiana ‘Sky Climber’) columnar semi-deciduous tree
Holly Oak (Quercus ilex) moderate-sized evergreen tree
Chinese Pistache Holly Oak Sky Climber Live Oak
City of Beverly Hills-Public Works Department
310-285-1000
The Chinese Pistache is a moderate sized deciduous tree with a broad oval crown at maturity when it can be 40 feet tall and nearly as wide. The deep green lance-shaped leaves can be up to 10 inches long and are arranged in an alternating pattern. Before dropping to the ground in late fall, the leaves turn brilliant red. Male trees produce no fruit. Pruning requirements are minimal, once the structure of young trees is established though train pruning to develop a strong central leader. The tree tolerates different soil types and is known to be a low water user once established.

The Chinese Pistache is available in 36-inch box size containers. At the time of installation, a 36-inch box tree would be approximately 10 feet tall, with a crown spread of approximately 5 feet.

The Chinese Pistache will be a new introduction into the Beverly Hills street tree inventory.
* Note: As a reference for scale, the individual in the photograph is approximately 6 feet tall.

Tree Information Sheet
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Moderate-aged Chinese Pistache-Santa Clarita, CA Chinese Pistache leaves-fall color *36” box Chinese Pistache
City of Beverly Hills-Public Works Department
310-285-1000

Native to the Mediterranean region, the Holly Oak is a slow growing, evergreen tree.

The crown of the Holly Oak is rounded in youth, growing more open as it matures. The tree reaches a height of 50 feet or more at maturity. The Holly Oak is a good choice for a street tree due to its medium size fit to a narrower setback. The1.5-3-inch leaves are lance shaped with toothed margins, glossy green above and whitish below. The inconspicuous flower clusters develop into rounded 1-inch acorns. The blackish gray bark appears as a collection of furrowed squares. The tree is generally pest and disease free. Holly Oaks require train pruning when young but require minimal pruning with age.

The Holly Oak is available in 36-inch box size containers. At the time of installation, a 36-inch box tree would be approximately 10 feet tall, with a crown spread of approximately 5 feet.

Mature Holly Oaks can be found on Elevado Avenue.
* Note: As a reference for scale, the individual in the photograph is approximately 6 feet tall.

Tree Information Sheet
Holly Oak (Quercus ilex)
Moderate-age Holly Oak-Santa Clarita, CA Holly Oak-leaves/acorns *36” box Holly Oak
City of Beverly Hills-Public Works Department
310-285-1000
The Sky Climber Live Oak is a hybrid of Southern Live Oak, which is native to the southeastern United States. This oak is partially deciduous, with a moderate growth rate. The crown tends to be dense and pyramidal, growing to heights in excess of 60 feet at maturity. Its consistent upright growth habit makes it a good street tree. The 3- inch-long leaves are lance-shaped, glossy green on the upper side and yellowish below The inconspicuous flower clusters develop into rounded 3/4-inch acorns. The blackish gray bark appears as a collection of furrowed squares as the tree ages. The tree is generally pest and disease free. Live Oaks require train pruning when young but require minimal pruning with age. The Sky Climber Live Oak is characterized as a low water user once established.

The Sky Climber Live Oak is available in 36-inch box size containers. At the time of installation, a 36-inch box tree would be approximately 10 feet tall, with a crown spread of approximately 5 feet.

Southern Live Oaks are located on Doheny Road to the south of Greystone Mansion and in the Beverly Hills Community Dog Park.
* Note: As a reference for scale, the individual in the photograph is approximately 6 feet tall.

Tree Information Sheet
Sky Climber Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
Moderate size Live Oak-Greystone Mansion Live Oak-leaves *36” box Sky Climber Oak
Attachment 3
WHAT:
• Pavement spot repairs throughout the City.

WHAT:

WHEN:

WHERE:

MEETING NOTICE
City of Beverly Hills
Public Works Department
345 Foothill Road
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.beverlyhills.org
For questions:
askBH-Customer Relations Team
Tel: 310.285.1000
Email: [email protected]
City Council meeting to discuss the
results of the Coldwater Cañon Street
Tree Master Plan.

DATE: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
TIME: 2:30 p.m., or as soon
thereafter as the matter may be
heard
The meeting will be held via
telephone and video conference and
will be broadcast live on BHTV
Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable and
webcast live at
www.beverlyhills.org/watchlive
Project: Coldwater Cañon Street
Tree Master Plan
Dear Community Member,
Members of the public are invited to attend the upcoming City Council meeting regarding the Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan.

Following a majority vote by Coldwater Cañon property owners, the recommended replacement tree type is the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis). The City Council will review the survey results and discuss the selection during the meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

The City Council agenda and staff report, with additional information, will be available online by September 18, 2026, at
https://www.beverlyhills.org/.

Persons wishing to comment on this item are invited to participate in the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting and/or submit written comments. Members of the public may listen to this meeting telephonically at (310) 288-2288. Public comment may be provided electronically before and during the meeting by emailing [email protected]. Any communication received by the City becomes part of the public record.

Live meeting coverage will be available via BHTV Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable and webcast live at www.beverlyhills.org/watchlive.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable modification or accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact (310) 285-1000 prior to the meeting for assistance.

Canary Island Pine Tree on Coldwater Cañon Drive
WHAT:
• Pavement spot repairs throughout the City.

WHAT:

WHEN:

WHERE:

MEETING NOTICE
City of Beverly Hills
Public Works Department
345 Foothill Road
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
www.beverlyhills.org
For questions:
askBH-Customer Relations Team
Tel: 310.285.1000
Email: [email protected]
Public Works Commission meeting to
discuss the results of the Street Tree
Master Plan.

DATE: Thursday, June 11, 2026
TIME: 8:30 a.m., or as soon there-
after as the matter may be
heard
The meeting will be held via
telephone and video conference and
will be broadcast live on BHTV
Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable and
webcast live at
www.beverlyhills.org/watchlive
Project: Public Works Commission
Meeting discussion of Coldwater
Cañon Street Tree Master Plan
Dear Community Member,
The City’s Public Works Department invites your participation at the Public Works Commission to discuss the Coldwater Cañon Street Tree Master Plan results for selection of a replacement tree with a new tree type, the Chinese Pistache tree (Pistacia chinensis), which is the recommendation based on majority selection by the Coldwater Cañon property owners.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

The Public Works Commission agenda and staff report with more information will be available by June 5, 2026, online at https://www.beverlyhills.org/782/Public-Works-Commission.

Persons wishing to comment on this item are invited to participate in the June 11, 2026, Public Works Commission meeting and/or submit written comments. Members of the public may listen to this meeting telephonically at (310) 288-2288. Public comment can be offered electronically prior to and during the meeting by emailing [email protected]. Any communication received by the City becomes part of the public record.

Live meeting coverage will be available via BHTV Channel 10 on Spectrum Cable and webcast live at www.beverlyhills.org/watchlive. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable modification or accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact (310) 285-1000 prior to the meeting for assistance.

City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-1000 BeverlyHills.org Ken Pfalzgraf, Department of Public Works
June 2, 2025
Re: Public Works Commission Meeting on June 12 ,2025 regarding Coldwater Canyon vacant tree sites
Dear Property Owner:

At this time, there are approximately 40 vacant tree sites on Coldwater Canyon Drive that are waiting to be planted with a new tree. As you may know, the pine trees that line Coldwater have experienced drought and related insect problems that make them undependable in the future. In addition, pines have been deemed inappropriate for High Severity Fire Zones by fire protection agencies. This means that a different tree type will need to be planted in the currently vacant sites, as well as when trees are lost to decline in the future.

After a thorough discussion of the history of the trees and their performance over the past 20 years at the March 13, 2024 meeting of the Public Work Commission, the Commission supported a staff recommendation that an “on the street” meeting be held with residents to discuss the historic performance of the Coldwater pines trees and to exhibit samples of tree types that could be used to fill current vacancies and in the future as additional pines are lost to drought and insect infestation. The meeting was scheduled for May 18, 2025. All addresses on Coldwater were noticed of the meeting by mail in April of 2025.

The on the street meeting was attended by several residents of Coldwater Canyon. Topics discussed included the history and performance of the existing trees, efforts made by the City to preserve the existing trees and a review of trees that would be more appropriate to the street in the future.

At this time, the City invites you to a meeting of the Public Works Commission on Thursday, June 12, 2025. At this meeting, staff will provide an update regarding input received by attendees to the on the street meeting and will then seek Commission approval of a recommendation to ballot addresses on Coldwater Canyon Drive to choose an appropriate tree to be used in future plantings. on the street.

The meeting will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday June 12, 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 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.

City of Beverly Hills 345 Foothill Road Beverly Hills, California 90210 p (310) 285-1000 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 telephone at (310) 285-1000 or via email at [email protected].

The input given by attendees will be used to inform a staff report on next steps to be presented to the Public Works Commission at the June 2025 meeting.

We look forward to meeting with you at 2 p.m. at the Cabrillo Reservoir (Cabrillo and Coldwater Canyon), on May 18, 2025.

Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills
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
February 20, 2025
Subject: Discussion of Coldwater Pine tree issues on March 13, 2025 at the Public Works Commission meeting Dear Property Owner:

Sincerely,
Ken Pfalzgraf
Ken Pfalzgraf
City Arborist
Public Works Department
City of Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills City CouncilSeptember 22, 2026

Beverly Hills City Council
September 22, 2026