Urban Forest Management
Plan Update
Moses Cortez
Facilities, Parks and Trails Manager
Sarah Arce
Management Analyst I
City Council
October 2, 2024
The Ask:
That the City Council approve an amendment to the
Urban Forest Management Plan authorizing:
a. Residential Pay Program for tree trimming
requests outside the grid pruning cycle.
b. Process for residents to appeal newly planted
trees in their parkways.
c. Process for protecting Large Native Trees on all
properties except single family homes.
Program Background
URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
PLAN
Beginnings
Established in 2021
Benefits
Ensures the City has a comprehensive plan to
maintain a healthy and growing Urban Forest
Goals
Plant 15,000 trees over a 5-year period (3,000
trees per year) and implement a 5-year grid
pruning cycle
Annual Investment
The City currently invests $1.6M annually to
maintain its Urban Forest
Program Highlights
Tree City USA
The City of Corona is proud to be recognized as a Tree City USA. This prestigious designation is awarded to agencies that demonstrate a commitment to caring for its trees and forest. 01 The City was honored to receive the Helen Putnam Award from the League of California Cities and was recognized for its investment and dedication to the Urban Forest.
02 Helen Putnam Award for Urban Forest Management
The City received a $100,000 grant to plant additional trees in underserved and high heat index areas. This will benefit several residents that live in and around the Circle.
03 USDA Urban and Community Forestry Grant
The City created an active and robust Corona Beautiful Program that includes several volunteer tree planting opportunities. These evets are highly attended and bring the community together to improve our open spaces. 04 Volunteer Engagement
Year 1
Overview
Trees Trimmed
16,749
Trees Planted
3,040
Trees Removed
692
Volunteers
590
375 trees planted
by volunteers
Year 2 Overview
Trees
Planted
3,082
Trees Removed
443
Volunteers
665
280 trees planted
by volunteers
Trees Trimmed
13,462
Similar programs have been implemented
by the following cities:
• City of Chino Hills
• City of Riverside
• City of Redlands
City of Corona’s new service request options:
• Clearance Prune
• Aesthetic Prune
• Park/Slope Aerial
• Slope Climb
Residential Pay Program
Challenge
Resident requests to trim trees outside the 5-year grid pruning cycle have increased significantly City expenditures for tree trimming requests:
• FY23 = $400,133
• FY24 = $628,526
Solution
Residential Pay Program would allow residents to pay out of pocket for requests to trim shared responsibility trees prior to their next scheduled trimming New Trees Refusal Process
• Provides a pathway for property owners to appeal a new tree planting in residential parkways in front of or on the side of their home.
• A Refusal will not be granted due to not wanting a tree, fruiting, leaf litter, loss of view, future root damage or cost of irrigation.
• Appeals will be brought before the Parks & Recreation Commission for review and consideration. • If the Commission feels the appeal meets the criteria, the appeal would be recommended to the City Council for review and final decision.
Protection of Large Native Trees
• Large Native Trees defined as a tree that is indigenous to Riverside County and has a diameter of 30 in. or greater at breast height (4.5 ft. above ground) • A tree may be designated as a Large Native Tree upon nomination and with written consent of the property owner where the tree is located • Allows for the protection of existing established native trees in the public right of way, parks, or general open space to be protected from removal • Ensures that any identified Native or Heritage tree is updated in the City Tree Inventory
• Ensures that if a tree does require removal that the city replace the trees at the 2:1 ratio outlined in the UFMP and at a location the city will deem suitable The Ask:
That the City Council approve an amendment to the
Urban Forest Management Plan authorizing:
a. Residential Pay Program for tree trimming
requests outside the grid pruning cycle.
b. Process for residents to appeal newly planted
trees in their parkways.
c. Process for protecting Large Native Trees on all
properties except single family homes.
City of Corona
Questions?
10 951-739-4957
[email protected]
www.CoronaCA.gov
Thank You