Neighborhood Services and Education Committee (nse)
April 14, 2022

Rick Scott
Deputy Director
Russell Hansen
City Arborist
Neighborhood Services and Education
April 14, 2022
Tree Planting & Establishment Costs
Tree Planting
2 How much does it cost to plant a tree?
OCF Master Fee Agreement – Tree Planting
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
15-gallon street tree $180 $205 $210 $210 $210*
Contractor Price – Tree Planting
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
15-gallon street tree $175 $175 $184 $200 $210
*2022 proposed rate still being finalized
3 Establishment – watering, pruning, and more!
4 Price for 3-year establishment
OCF Master Fee Agreement – Establishment Services
3-year Tree Establishment
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Flat rate per tree - - - - $450*
Per tree (20+ trees) $240 $275 $275 $275 -
Per tree (less than 20 trees) $480 $550 $550 $550 -
Per tree (lane closure
required) $720 $825 $825 $825 -
*2022 proposed rate still being finalized
5 Our City Forest is the City’s planting partner
Founded in 1994 to advance Urban Forestry in San José
 Obtained over $15 million in urban forest
grants
 Leveraged $25 million in volunteer time
 Educated over 40,000 students
 Planted over 80,000 trees and
shrubs citywide
 Operates a community nursery
6 Conclusion
• Direction from Council bring forward a proposal to result in “the planting and establishment of 2000-3000 streets
annually that will be distributed with an equity lens”
• The City’s tree planting and establishment pricing via OCF/Contractor has historically been competitive
• The price impact of expansion of planting activities is not yet known, economies of scale could reduce costs but demand could raise them
• Staff will collaborate with partners to apply for grants that could reduce impacts on City funds
7 Rick Scott
Deputy Director
Russell Hansen
City Arborist
Neighborhood Services and Education
April 14, 2022
Tree Planting & Establishment Costs