October 7, 2025
Public Works
DATE: October 7, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Jason Lacey, Parks & Landscaping Superintendent
Gabino Arredondo, Project Manager
Valerie Li, Office Aide
Subject:
Official City of Richmond Native Tree
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact for receiving this item.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
June 17, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
On June 17, 2025, the City Council directed staff to begin a process to adopt an official tree to help celebrate and define our City. City staff worked with the sponsors of the item and the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC)
to create a list of native trees and publish an online
survey to select the City of Richmond official native tree.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution designating the Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) as the official native tree of the City of Richmond – Public Works Department (Jason Lacey 510-
620-6920).
DISCUSSION:
On June 17, 2025, the City Council directed staff to begin a process to adopt an official native tree to help celebrate and define the City of Richmond. City staff worked with the sponsors of the item and the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) to create a list AGENDA
REPORT
October 7, 2025
of native trees and publish an online survey to select the City of Richmond official native tree (Attachment 2).
The UFAC is made up of Richmond residents who are passionate about the City's urban forest. Its mission is to support the implementation of the Urban Greening Master Plan. A subcommittee was tasked with recommending California native trees that would be appropriate for selection of the official native tree for the City of Richmond.
The subcommittee decided on the following criteria: the tree should be drought tolerant, versatile in terms of microclimates it can grow in, somewhat versatile in terms of landscape use, be trained to a single trunk, and be relatively disease resistant. The subcommittee also considered interesting and attractive features, such as flowering and value to pollinators and wildlife.
Finally, the subcommittee wanted to nominate trees that were distinctive enough from each other, to provide the public with various options to select from. Several features are included that show why native trees are important to the wildlife food web, especially their ability to provide food for native caterpillars which are in turn essential food for birds raising their babies.
Four species were included in the community survey:
California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
Ray Hartman Ceanothus (Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman')
Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia)
A Google survey was published online and promoted to Richmond residents from August 25, 2025, to September 22, 2025, through the City’s social media, website, email listservs, City Manager Weekly Report, local news, fliers and distributed by community partners. A total of 597 responses were collected. The Coast Live Oak received the highest number of votes, emerging as the clear choice of the community.
October 7, 2025
The Coast Live Oak is an iconic California tree species, ecologically significant for supporting over 160 species of moths and butterflies, providing food and shelter for countless birds and mammals. As a long-lived, drought-tolerant evergreen tree, it is also a symbol of strength, resilience, and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for Richmond’s official native tree. Once adopted, City staff will work on a ceremonial planting at Civic Center Plaza.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Survey Sample
Attachment 2 – Resolution