Attachment A- Santa Maria Urban Forest Management Plan_2024-06-04.pdf

CITY OF SANTA MARIA
Urban Forest Management Plan
Prepared by
Attachment A
Santa Maria’s urban forest is a valued city asset that provides a resilient, diverse tree canopy that contributes to long-term environmental benefits, enhanced neighborhood character, appealing business corridors, and healthy and equitable communities that are connected to nature.

VISION
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
VISION .........................................................................................II 1 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................2

1.1 Why the City Needs a UFMP ................................................ 2

1.2 Developing the Santa Maria Urban Forest
Management Plan ...............................................................11

1.3 Key Findings .....................................................................13 2 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT .......................................................17

2.1 Working Group ..................................................................18

2.2 Public Survey ................................................................... 18 3 STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST ..............................................23

3.1 Canopy Cover ...................................................................24

3.1.1 Increasing Canopy Cover ..........................................26

3.1.2 Canopy Equity .........................................................29

3.1.3 Canopy Cover by Land Use Type .............................. 33

3.2 City-Managed Tree Inventory ...........................................35

3.2.1 Sustainability Indicators ......................................... 35

3.2.2 Environmental Services/Economic Benefits .......... 38

3.3 Tree Planting Priority and Opportunity Areas ...................40

3.4 Recommended Tree Species ............................................41

3.5 Urban Forest Management ............................................... 41

3.5.1 Organizational Structure ......................................... 42

3.5.2 Staffing and Contractors ........................................ 44

3.5.3 Budget and Funding ................................................46

3.5.4 Annual Service Data ............................................... 53

3.5.5 Management Practices ........................................... 59

3.5.6 Policies, Ordinances, Planting Guidelines ............... 59

3.6 City Planning Documents ................................................. 71 4 STRATEGIC PLAN .....................................................................77 5 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ..........................................................89 6 MONITORING PLAN ..................................................................99 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...........................................................107 8 REFERENCES .........................................................................109

FIGURES

1. The Benefits of Trees .......................................................... 4

2. Urban Heat Island Effect ..................................................... 5

3. Right Tree, Right Place ........................................................6

4. Tree Spacing .......................................................................8

5. Water Wise Landscaping with Trees ....................................9

6. City of Santa Maria Canopy Cover ...................................... 25

7. Trees Needed to Meet Canopy Goals ...................................27

8. Annual Tree Planting Over 40 Years to Meet
Canopy Goals .................................................................... 28

9. CalEnviroScreen 4.0 ..........................................................30

10. Tree Canopy Cover by CalEnviroScreen Range ..................31

11. Race/Ethnicity by Canopy Cover .......................................32

12. Canopy Cover by Land Use Type .......................................34

13. Age Distribution ................................................................37

14. Tree Planting Priority and Opportunity Areas ....................40

15. Organizational Structure of Tree Management
in Santa Maria ...................................................................42 iv | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

16. Distribution of Tree Maintenance Budget
Funding Sources ..............................................................49

17. Forestry Budget ...............................................................52

18. Average Budget Per Public Tree .......................................52

19. Tree Service Activities .....................................................56

20. Work Records ..................................................................57 TABLES

1. Santa Maria’s Urban Forest Management Plan
Working Group Members (Urban Forest
Advisory Committee) .........................................................18

2. Survey Respondents Who Live/Work in the
City of Santa Maria ........................................................... 20

3. Demographics of Survey Respondents
Compared to Demographics of the City of
Santa Maria ...................................................................... 20

4. Summary of Online Survey Responses ................................21

5. Age Distribution ................................................................ 36

6. Annual Environmental Services and Benefits ....................39

7. Tree Inventory Financial Value .......................................... 39

8. Stakeholder Interviews ..................................................... 43

9. 25 City of Santa Maria Tree-Related
In-House Staff Positions ................................................... 45 10a. Santa Maria Tree Management Operating
Budget (Contractor Services) ......................................... 46 10b. Santa Maria Annual Tree Management Operating
Budget (Contractor + In-House Services) ........................46

11. Santa Maria Annual Tree Management Budget
by In-House vs. Contracted Work .......................................47

12. Comparison of Municipal Urban Forest
Management Funding .......................................................50

13. Comparison of Municipal Urban Forest
Management Staffing ....................................................... 51

14. Tree Services Performed by Santa Maria ..........................54

15. Policy and Ordinance Review ............................................60

16. City Planning Documents ..................................................72

17. Results of the Vibrant Cities Lab Assessment ...................99 SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | v

ACRONYMS
CAL FIRE California Department of Forestry
and Fire Protection
CES CalEnviroScreen
City City of Santa Maria
FTE full-time equivalent
ISA International Society of Arboriculture
MWELO Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance PPS Priority Planting Score
UFMP Urban Forest Management Plan
College Drive, Santa Maria, California

1. INTRODUCTION
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 2

1.1 Why the City Needs a UFMP
In 2017, the City of Santa Maria (City) was awarded a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
grant to complete an inventory of the City’s trees and plant over 500 trees in the City, and in 2021 the City was awarded an additional CAL FIRE grant to complete an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) and plant an additional 235 trees.

This UFMP has been developed to guide tree planting and maintenance in the City over the next 40 years, provides guidance for updating the City’s tree ordinance, and provides goals, strategies, and actions for achieving the shared vision for Santa Maria’s urban forest. This UFMP provides a comprehensive, fiscally sustainable, and cohesive City-wide approach to tree care and planting on both public and private property, provides recommended updates to the City’s tree ordinance, and provides guidance for sustainably managing the City’s urban forest and creating a more equitable City.

Santa Maria has been a designated Tree City USA since 1991 and holds an annual Arbor Day celebration, demonstrating the City’s long-term commitment to urban forestry. Tree City USA requirements include maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day (Arbor Day Foundation, 2022). For Arbor Day
2023, the City, with the support of its Urban Forest Advisory Committee, planted 10 trees in a City park.

Santa Maria has experienced many tree and infrastructure conflicts over the years, which have led to liabilities and nuisances to the public, and expenditures to remove trees and repair damaged infrastructure. Planning and caring for the City’s urban forest allows for proper tree maintenance, spacing, and avoidance of potential conflicts, allowing trees to mature without damaging infrastructure. Trees that are allowed to grow to their full potential and complete a full life cycle provide more environmental services and benefits to the community.

1. Why The City Needs An Urban Forest Management Plan
All recommendations in this
UFMP are guided by the American
National Standards Institute
(ANSI), International Society of
Arboriculture Best Management
Practices, scientifically supported research,
and industry standards.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.2 Why Trees?
Environmental stressors continue to impact the day-to-day activities of communities across California’s landscape. Extreme heat, drought, longer fire seasons, increasing levels of air pollutants, and severe flooding events expose many residents to a variety of climate and health risks. Many of these existing and projected environmental conditions are already impacting Santa Maria. One effective mitigation strategy to help alleviate these risks is to have a well-managed sustainable urban forest.

A functioning urban forest provides multi-benefit solutions to environmental issues that result in a safer, more resilient city.

Santa Maria’s UFMP provides the framework for effective tree management and policies that positions the City to understand the value of the urban forest while pursuing a sustainable environment. Additionally, placemaking is the practice of creating places that are focused on greater community
engagement, enhancing and activating the public realm,
promoting better health, or otherwise improving the quality of life. Trees play a critical role in placemaking and provide many co-benefits. A properly maintained urban forest contributes to a more resilient future and increased quality of life for existing and future generations of Santa Maria resident.

WHY TREES?

BENEFITS OF TREES
The UFMP provides guidance for sustainably
managing the City’s urban forest and creating
a more equitable City. Trees and associated
vegetation in urban areas provide environmental,
social, and economic benefits to communities
(see Figure 1. Benefits of Trees). Through
equitable distribution of the City’s green
infrastructure, the City can take positive steps
toward creating a more equitable Santa Maria. The
guiding principles, goals and strategies included in
the Strategic Plan of the UFMP (Section 4) reflect
the core values of the City, key stakeholders, and
community members who contributed to plan
development. These strategies will ensure the
community will have access to the benefits of an
enhanced urban forest.

WHY TREES?

BENEFITS OF TREES IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL/INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

CLEANER AIR
Trees absorb pollutants and filter
particulates out of the air by trapping
them on their leaves and bark.

RAINWATER

CAPTURE
Trees capture
rainfall, recharging
groundwater
supplies and
help prevent
stormwater from
carrying
pollutants to
the ocean.

SHADE
Trees cool cities by up to
10˚F and shaded areas
can be 20-40˚F cooler
than peak
temperatures.

WILDLIFE HABITAT
Trees support the
lives of many
wildlife and insect
species and provide
them with food,
shelter, and
nesting sites.

HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Trees improve mental health and
public health by decreasing respiratory
illnesses and encouraging
outdoor recreation.

CONNECTING

WITH NEIGHBORS
Trees can encourage civic
pride while tree plantings
provide opportunities for
community involvement.

FRESH FOOD
Trees provide food
in the form of fruits,
nuts, leaves, bark,
and roots.

BEAUTY
Trees add character to city
streets and residential areas
as they radiate with colors,
flowers, textures, and shapes.

SAVING ENERGY
Shade trees can lower air-conditioning
costs 56% annually, burning fewer
fossil fuels.

Figure 1. The Benefits of Trees
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 4
5 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

URBAN HEAT
As temperatures increase, heat is absorbed and re-
emitted by buildings, roads, and other hardscape
in urban settings. This occurrence, known as the
“urban heat island effect,” results in urbanized
areas experiencing higher temperatures relative
to surrounding natural or rural areas. Elevated
temperatures in urban areas contribute to compromised
human health and comfort, which can result in heat-
related illness and heat-related deaths (EPA 2020).

Currently, extreme heat causes more deaths than
any other weather-related hazard, with particularly
vulnerable groups consisting of the elderly, unhoused
populations, and those with pre-existing conditions
(Sherman 2020). Tree canopies reduce the urban heat
island effect (see Figure 2) by lowering surface and air temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration
(Loughner et al. 2012). Surface temperatures may be
20°F to 45°F (11°F to 25°C) cooler under the shade
of a tree than areas with no tree cover (EPA 2019).

Further, on a sunny day, hardscape surfaces, such as
asphalt, concrete, or roofs, can reach temperatures
that are 50°F to 90°F hotter than the surrounding air
temperature (EPA 2021).

HOW TREES HELP NEGATE THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT

NO TREES OR GREENERY

WITH TREES AND GREENERY
Solar energy is
emitted by
the sun.

Heat is absorbed and
retained by dark, urban
surfaces.

Heat is slowly emitted
throughout the day and
evening, increasing
temperatures.

I ncreased temperatures
discourage pedestrian tra/f_f_i.ligac,
negatively impacting the
local economy.
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
Solar energy emitted
by the sun is partially
absorbed by trees.

Shaded surfaces
absorb and retain
less heat.

Auto emissions
are partially
absorbed by trees.

Cleaner air, cooler weather creates a
pedestrian-friendly environment
positively impacting local businesses.

No trees
to absorb
auto emissions
Figure 2. Urban Heat Island Effect
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 6

1. INTRODUCTION

RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE
The urban forestry concept known as “right
tree, right place” considers that tree selection
should be matched to the growing conditions.

Consideration must be given to tree species
and size, planter size, potential conflicts (e.g.,
utilities, sidewalks, or other infrastructure),
climate resilience, and desired outcome of a
tree planting (e.g., shade, privacy screening,
noise buffering, aesthetics, food, etc). Figure 3
provides a depiction of the tree size relative to
planter size and the resulting shade provided by
the tree. Further, Figure 4a and 4b provides tree
spacing guidelines for residential yard trees
and street trees. Ensuring that trees are able
to grow to their full potential is essential to a
sustainable urban forest.
50’
40’
Less Shade
More Shade
Most Shade
30’
20’
10’
10’ parkway minimum
Large Tree
50’+
Planter widths determine the tree size and species that can be planted.

Shade and cooling properties
vary based on tree size and species
Sun is at its strongest
Small Tree
20’-35’
Medium Tree
35’-50’
10 AM 2 PM
Figure 3. Right Tree, Right Place
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 6
Spacing Guidelines for
Residential Yard Trees
Spacing requirements
by tree size
Large 45’ tall and higher
30’ 16’
15’
15’
10’
12’ to 15’ 8’ to 10’
Medium 25’ to 45’ Small Up to 25’
Source: Sacramento Tree Foundation
If you plant more than
one tree, make sure they
are sited far enough
apart to allow full growth
of both trees. Trees
should be placed 12 to
30 feet apart depending
on their ultimate size
Knowing the type of soil, water needs, and eventual size of the tree will help you select the best tree for your yard.

Fence
12’ - 30’
Foundation
Plant at least 8 feet
from sidewalks and
driveways, 15 feet
from home founda-
tions and swimming
pools, and 6 feet
from fences.
15’
15’
10’ 10’ 10’
8’
6’
6’
6’ 6’ 6’
Spacing from
other trees
Spacing from
building foundations
Spacing from sidewalks.
curbs and driveways
Spacing from limbs to
overhead wires
Spacing from trunk at maturity
to in-ground electrical lines
Spacing from trunk at maturity
to in-ground gas lines
Deciduous trees (trees that lose their
leaves) will help cool your home in
the summer and allow the sun to
warm it in the winter.

Planting the right tree on the South,
West, and East side of your home
allows trees to shade your home and
lower energy costs.

Residence is
shaded from the
harsh summer
sun.

Site your tree
where the
tree can grow
to its full size.

EW
N
S
BEFORE

YOU DIG
CALL 811
Figure 4a. Tree Spacing for Residential Yard Trees
Figure 4b. Tree Spacing for Street Trees
Large
45’ tall and higher
15’
15’
12’ to 15’
10’
6’
6’ 4’
Spacing Guidelines for Street Trees
30’ 16’
10’
8’ to 10’
Medium
25’ to 45’
Small
Up to 25’
15’
15’
10’
6’
Spacing from
other trees
Spacing from
building foundations
Spacing from sidewalks,
curbs and driveways
Spacing from
sides of median
All trees
Streetlights
20 ft. from
trunk at
maturity
Fire Hydrant
10 ft. from
trunk at
maturity
Spacing from limbs
to overhead wires
Spacing from trunk at
maturity to in-ground
electrical lines
Spacing from trunk
at maturity to
in-ground gas lines
3’
10’
8’
6’
6’
6’
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 8

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE, WHAT IS PLANNED
1 Water early in the morning
or after sunset – this is when
plants and trees take up the
most water, and also reduces
water lost to evaporation.
2 Avoid planting groundcovers
that have high water needs,
such as grass/turf.
3 Bark chips, rocks, mulch,
decomposed granite, or sand
provide attractive, water-wise
alternatives to turf. Mulch
reduces water evaporation
when placed around plants.
2 5
4 3
6 8
7 1
Time to
water
4 Conserve, capture, and recycle
water. Collect rainwater with
the use of rain barrels, place
buckets in the shower/sink to
collect water as you wait for it
to warm.
5 Porous pavers or gravel paths
allow water to percolate
back into the ground and
prevent runoff.
6 Drip irrigation – use in-line drip
tubing in parallel rows for turf
and plants, and in-line drip
tubing rings for trees.
7 Plant regionally appropriate
tree species that are climate
adapted and anticipated
to thrive in Santa Maria.

Check out Santa Maria's
Recommended Species List
in Appendix D.
8 Reference the Water Use
Classification of Landscape
Species (WUCOLS)
database for information
and guidance on irrigation
n e e d s o f l a n d s c a p e p l a n t s i n
our region.
2 Include trees in
water efficient
landscaping.

Trees and water are both
precious resources. Water
efficient landscaping should
include trees! Newly planted
drought tolerant trees only
require 15 gallons of water
per week for the first 3 years!
Figure 5 provides guidance for
water efficient landscaping
with trees.

WATER WISE LANDSCAPING

WITH TREES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
https://www.treesaregood.org/
Figure 5. Water Wise Landscaping with Trees
• The 5-year pruning cycle has been updated
to an arborist-review-based pruning cycle
• The 25% reactive pruning method has been
changed to a completely proactive method
• The 100% reactive root pruning method has
been reduced to a 60% proactive method
• 10-foot-wide planting areas are the
minimum for all street trees
• Root barriers are required along curbs and
sidewalks when trees are closer than 7 feet
• Establish minimum standards/
requirements for tree care and
maintenance
• Update the Municipal Code
• Increase tree planting to increase canopy
• Increase community outreach and
education

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE, WHAT IS PLANNED

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE WHAT IS PLANNED
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 10
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CAL FIRE
Grant Awarded
Urban forest
inventory and
canopy analysis
Analysis of plans,
policies, and
ordinances
Draft UFMP City and Public Review of
Draft UFMP
Community
engagement
Final UFMP

1.3 DEVELOPING THE SANTA MARIA

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
In 2021, the City was awarded a grant from the CAL FIRE Prop 68 Urban and Community Forestry Grant Fund to complete
the Santa Maria UFMP. The City’s Recreation and Parks
Department is the main City entity that is responsible for overseeing the UFMP’s development and implementation. City staff provided key insights into City practices, standards, and plans, and provided operational information and data sets for analysis of the existing urban forestry program. The following sections present key findings of the urban forest analysis and describes the process taken in developing the UFMP.
1 2 3 4
5 6 7
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 12

1. INTRODUCTION
Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) Veteran's Memorial Hall, Santa Maria, CA 13 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A public survey was used to gather community input via an online platform and paper surveys distributed at community events. Additionally, a Working Group, consisting of the City’s Urban Forest Advisory Committee, met six times throughout the UFMP development process. City staff, community members, and the Working Group/Urban Forest Advisory Committee
assisted with creating a vision and strategic plan for the urban forest. The community engagement process revealed that
community members who were engaged during the UFMP
process highly value trees and recognize a need for improved tree management by both the City and private property owners.

Community members desire to play a role in growing and
managing the urban forest, such as through volunteer events or planting trees on their private property.

1.4 KEY FINDINGS
94% of respondents view trees as more
important than or equally as important as other
City-maintained infrastructure
Volunteers with the Urban Forest Advisory Committee planting Coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) in Santa Maria, CA.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 14

1. INTRODUCTION

CANOPY COVER
A City-wide canopy cover
assessment and canopy change
analysis was conducted using
United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service
urban tree canopy data from 2012
and 2018. Santa Maria’s City-wide
canopy cover as of 2018 is low
(5.5%), but has increased slightly
since 2012 (5.3%). Approximately
1,000 trees per year will need to be
planted to reach the City’s canopy
cover goal of 20%. Tree planting on
public and private property will be
needed to reach this goal.

Santa Maria will need to add
trees on public and private
property to reach its canopy
cover goals. Over the next 40
years the City will need to plant:
1,063 trees per year = 20% canopy cover
696 trees per year = 15% canopy cover
330 trees per year = 10% canopy cover
Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), West Fesler Street, Santa Maria, CA 15 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

CITY-MANAGED TREE INVENTORY
The City’s tree inventory was analyzed against
sustainability indicators based on urban forestry
research to ensure Santa Maria’s urban forest is
well-suited for the future. i-Tree Eco, a software
tool developed by the USDA Forest Service, was
used to analyze tree inventory records to determine
the values of the environmental services provided
by the City’s trees. Nearly 50% of the City’s tree
inventory is considered young, indicating a relatively
newly planted urban forest. Previous tree planting,
maintenance, and preservation practices in the
City led to frequent tree removal, resulting in fewer
middle-aged and mature trees. The City has a
species diverse tree inventory; this UFMP will help
to ensure appropriate species for Santa Maria’s
climate are being planted.
26,465
city-managed trees
50% young trees
• 3,362,494 gallons of
stormwater/ rainwater
captured annually
• 13.6 tons of air pollution
removed annually
• 270.4 tons of CO2
sequestered annually
Olive tree (Olea europaea)
Courthouse (East Cook Street), Santa Maria, CA
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 16

1. INTRODUCTION

URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
Interviews were conducted with City staff to obtain
information regarding City tree management. Data was
collected and reviewed, including annual budgets, staffing levels, and tree services performed by the City, as well as tree management practices. Urban forest management in
the City has improved in recent years. Additional staff and funding are needed to sustainably maintain Santa Maria’s urban forest and reach urban forestry goals. The City
spends $37 per tree annually, which is considered low to medium when compared to other cities.

Santa Maria
spends $37 per
tree annually on
tree management
and maintenance

CITY PLANNING
Policies, ordinances, and planting standards/guidelines were reviewed against ISA and ANSI standards and best
management practices. Existing planning documents were
evaluated for goals and policies that represent strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the urban forest. The City’s broader planning objectives support
increased tree planting and tree preservation and recognize the importance of trees to the quality of life in Santa Maria.

The City’s tree ordinance is in need of an update to align with the City’s urban forestry goals.

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) Paden Street, Santa Maria, CA

2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 18

2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

2.1 WORKING GROUP
The City’s UFMP Working Group was formed to bring together key personnel and stakeholders to help advise the UFMP’s development process. The Working Group consisted of City staff from the Recreation and Parks Department and the
City’s existing Urban Forest Advisory Committee, a group of individuals who meet monthly to enhance the City’s
urban forestry program.. Five working group meetings were held between September 2022 and July 2023, facilitated
by Dudek. During the working group meetings, members
were guided through a series of brainstorming exercises to generate a draft UFMP vision statement; develop the guiding principles, goals, and strategies of the UFMP; and review and provide feedback on the draft UFMP. Table 1 provides a summary of key insights and major themes that emerged during Working Group meetings.

2.2 PUBLIC SURVEY
An online survey in English and Spanish was created to
identify the public’s perception and understanding of the City’s trees and to offer a space for public feedback as the City developed its UFMP. The 24-question survey was open between August 30, 2022, and March 1, 2023, and
was distributed through various City social media outlets, e-newsletters, canvassing at local businesses, community TABLE 1. WORKING GROUP

TOPIC WORKING GROUP INSIGHT
Vision and Guiding Principles
• The urban forest as a valued City asset
• Desire for a full and connected canopy cover
• Trees influence neighborhood and community character
• A community that is connected to nature
• A supportive community
• Maintaining a small-town feel
• Ongoing community outreach and education is needed
• Economic benefits of trees should be highlighted
• Healthy, equitable and active communities
19 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
events, the Santa Maria Urban Forest Advisory Committee/ Working Group, and communications sent by City staff. In total, 246 survey responses were recorded.

Of the respondents, 91% live/work in Santa Maria and 9% do not live/work in Santa Maria (see Table 2). The demographics of survey respondents compared to the demographics of the City are shown in Table 3. Survey respondents skew older (above 65), higher educated (bachelor’s degree or higher), and non-Hispanic, when compared to the demographics of Santa Maria. Additional outreach to engage community members in urban forest stewardship is encouraged, particularly amongst Hispanic/Latinx, Spanish speaking, and community members with less than a bachelor’s degree, which could include youth outreach. Table 4 includes a summary of survey responses and emerging themes. A full summary of responses to survey questions is included in Appendix A.

TABLE 1. WORKING GROUP

TOPIC WORKING GROUP INSIGHT
Community Outreach
• BMPs for pruning, tree care, watering and establishment care are needed for landscape professionals and community members
• Information on how to find an arborist and tree professionals • Important to communicate the benefits of trees to the community, apartment building managers, and business owners
• Outreach needs to appeal to a multilingual community and all ages • Outreach to both renters and property owners
• Maintain a volunteer based urban forest advisory committee • Consider a youth program for tree planting, maintenance, and education Tree Management
• The City and community members need to work together to care for trees • Partnerships are needed to increase tree planting and tree establishment care • Standards to preserve and expand canopy cover are needed SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 20

2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
TABLE 2. SURVEY RESPONDENTS WHO LIVE/WORK IN THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA

LIVE/WORK IN
SANTA MARIA? ENGLISH SPANISH TOTAL RESPONSES TOTAL %
Yes 218 6 224 91%
No 19 2 21 9%
TABLE 3. DEMOGRAPHICS OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS COMPARED TO DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA

CATEGORY DEMOGRAPHICS OF SURVEY
RESPONDENTS U.S. CENSUS DEMOGRAPHICS CITY OF SANTA MARIA 2022 Age 65 or older 19% 65 or older 10%
Housing Status Homeowner 53% Homeowner 50.4%
Race White 55% White 59%
Education Bachelor’s degree or
higher 50% Bachelor’s degree or higher 13%
Ethnicity Hispanic, Latino/a/x 47% Hispanic, Latino/a/x 77% 21 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 4. SUMMARY OF ONLINE SURVEY RESPONSES

TOPIC RESPONSES
Communication and marketing of
the urban forest program
33% of respondents learned about the survey through social media and 22% through email. 95% of respondents think the best way for the City to communicate about tree management and the UFMP is through email or social media.

Views of trees as a city asset
94% of respondents view trees as more important than or equally as important as other City-maintained infrastructure.
59% of respondents think the City’s trees are in good or excellent condition, 41% think the City’s trees are in fair or poor condition.
99% of respondents believe trees are a benefit to their community.

Goals of the Urban Forest
Management Plan
75% of respondents believe one of the goals of the UFMP should prioritize maintaining the existing trees. Other goals that respondents were in support of include removing dead/hazardous trees, replacing removed trees, increasing the number of trees planted annually, and planting new species to increase species diversity.

The top two places where people would like to see more trees in the City are in parks and open spaces and shopping/commercial areas.

Infrastructure conflicts
58% of respondents have observed damage to a street or sidewalk caused by trees in their neighborhood.
51% of respondents identified damage to sewer pipes, sidewalks, or driveways as a top reason they would not want to have a tree on their property.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 22

2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
TABLE 4. SUMMARY OF ONLINE SURVEY RESPONSES

The top two places where people would like to see more trees in the City are in parks and open spaces and shopping/commercial areas.

TABLE 4. SUMMARY OF ONLINE SURVEY RESPONSES

TOPIC RESPONSES
Opinions on tree protection
ordinances 85% of respondents are at least somewhat in support of tree protection on private property.

Outreach campaigns to
strengthen the urban forest
Improving the environment (providing wildlife habitat, improving air quality, and storing greenhouse gases) is the benefit of trees that respondents value the most.

The top activities that respondents would be willing to participate in to support the urban forest include volunteering at a community tree planting event and planting a tree on their private property.

Respondents indicated the best way the City could help a community member plant/care for a tree in their yard is through financial support, as well as providing educational materials such as “how-to” information on planting, watering, and trimming.

Volunteers with the Urban Forest Advisory Committee planting Coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) in Santa Maria.

3. STATUS OF THE

URBAN FOREST
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 24

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST

3.1 CANOPY COVER
Canopy cover refers to the layer of leaves, branches, and stems that provide tree coverage of the ground when
viewed from above. The urban tree canopy provides
multiple environmental services and economic value to
the surrounding community. A robust tree canopy that
is equitably distributed helps to create a healthier, more resilient community, and the environmental benefits and services received from the urban forest increase as tree canopy increases (Clark et al. 1997). Likewise, low canopy cover can result in increased vulnerability to pollution, extreme heat, and associated health issues. Residents who live beneath dense tree canopy experience greater tree
benefits than residents who live in areas of low tree canopy.

For example, low canopy cover may be an indicator of a
community’s vulnerability to pollution, extreme heat, and associated potential health issues (Wolf et al. 2020). Trees contribute to cleaner, healthier air in urban environments through direct pollution removal (e.g., uptake via leaf stomata or intercepting airborne particles); air temperature reductions (e.g., transpiration); and reduction of urban heat islands, building energy consumption, and consequent energy emissions (e.g., temperature reductions provided by tree shade). These community enhancements provided by
tree canopy cover improve the quality of life for residents and businesses.

A citywide canopy cover assessment and canopy change
analysis was conducted for Santa Maria using freely available U.S. Forest Service canopy data from 2018 and purchased imagery from 2012. Detailed results from the canopy cover analysis are included in Appendix B.

Figure 6 depicts the results of the canopy cover assessment.

The canopy cover assessment revealed that Santa Maria has an existing canopy cover of approximately 5.5% (as of 2018 U.S. Forest Service canopy imagery). This is increased from a canopy cover of approximately 5.3% in 2012.

Tree inventory and canopy cover application analysis and visualizations were created using R (v4.2.1; R Core Team, 2022) in RStudio (v6.0.421; Posit Team, 2023) using the packages tidyverse (v1.3.1; Wickham et al., 2019), ggplot2 (v3.3.6; Wickham, 2016), patchwork (v1.1.1; Pedersen, 2020), ggtext (v0.1.2; Wilke & Wiernik, 2022), scales (v1.2.0; Wickham & Seidel, 2022), units (v0.8-0; Pebesma & Mailund, 2016), sf (v1.0-9; Pebesma, 2018), and tmap (v3.3-3; Tennekes, 2018).
25 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.1.1 Increasing Canopy Cover
Santa Maria has set a goal of increasing canopy
cover, as 5.3% is relatively low. For comparison,
nearby jurisdictions with comparable climate
and historical development patterns, such as
the Cities of Lompoc and San Luis Obispo, have
canopy covers of 15%–24% in the majority of their
city boundaries (USFS 2018). The number of trees
needed to increase canopy cover is shown in
Figure 7. Figure 8 shows the number of trees that
should be planted annually. These calculations
assume a mix of trees with canopy spreads ranging
from 20-foot- to 75-foot-diameter canopies. The
combination of tree sizes is based on the existing
planter sizes found throughout Santa Maria.

Historically, up to 40% canopy cover was
considered a realistic goal for urban areas. With
advancements in urban forestry research, it has
been found that a realistic canopy cover goal
must consider the environmental conditions and
historical canopy cover of the region. For example,
forested areas have the potential for a canopy
cover of approximately 38%, grasslands have the
potential for approximately 23% canopy cover, and
City of Santa Maria - Canopy Cover 2018
Tree canopy
Analysis Area
Excluded City Area
Figure 6. Canopy Cover Assessment

5.5% canopy cover City-wide
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 26
desert areas have potential for approximately 15% canopy cover (Nowak & Greenfield, 2018). Agricultural land globally has at least a 10% tree cover, which has increased by 2% over the previous ten years (Zomer 2016). Santa Maria, with its unique mix of agricultural and urban land uses, has set a canopy cover goal of 20% to be achieved by planting 1,063 trees per year over a 40-year time frame. Achieving 20% canopy cover will require coordination with other large landowners and private property owners, preserving the
existing canopy, and planting new trees wherever feasible.

Santa Maria has set a canopy cover goal of 20% to
be achieved by planting 1,063 trees per year over a
40-year time frame.

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) canopy, East Donavon Road, Santa Maria, CA 27 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
4,713
4,175
3,636
9,947 1,421
8,810
7,673
15,180 2,168
13,445
11,711
673
10%
15%
20%
0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
Total Trees to Plant
Canopy Cover Goal
Tree Stature
(canopy width)
20'
35'
50'
75'
Total Public and Private Trees Needed to Meet Canopy Goals City of Santa Maria - Canopy Increase Analysis
Totals include an assumed 5% mortality rate.

Figure 7. Trees Needed to Meet Canopy Goals
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 28
330
696
1,063
10%
15%
20%
0 300
600
900
Total Trees to Plant Annually
Canopy Cover Goal
Annual Public and Private Tree Planting Over 40 Years to Meet Canopy Goals City of Santa Maria - Canopy Increase Analysis
Totals include an assumed 5% mortality rate.

Note: Full canopy increase occurs over 20-to-40-year timeframe from planting dates and is dependent on species growth rates, weather, initial watering and care, and more.

Figure 8. Annual Tree Planting Over 40 Years to Meet Canopy Goals

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
29 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.1.2 Canopy Equity
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s
CalEnviroScreen (CES) 4.0 online tool identifies California communities that are disproportionately burdened by
pollution and have a higher vulnerability to the health effects of pollution (OEHHA 2018). The tool uses indicators of exposure, environmental effects, sensitive population, and socioeconomic factors to assess the cumulative impact of pollution burden, health conditions, and socioeconomic stressors on California communities. Each census tract is given a CES score ranging from 0 to 100, which identifies that community’s pollution burden and vulnerability. The scores are then categorized into CES percentiles, which identifies inequities associated with pollution throughout the state.

CES percentiles from 1%–9% indicate the least vulnerable and CES percentiles from 91%–100% indicate the most
vulnerable communities in California (OEHHA 2021).

Figure 9 shows a map of the CES percentiles for census
tracts within the canopy cover analysis area. Figure 10 depicts the tree canopy cover percent by CES percentile range. As shown, census tracts with the least vulnerability to pollution (0%–9% CES range) have a much higher canopy cover (17%) than the rest of the City. Census tracts with the highest vulnerability to pollution in Santa Maria (70%–79% CES range) have a lower canopy cover (approximately
2%) than the Citywide canopy average. The California
Environmental Protection Agency designates all census
tracts with CES percentiles above 75% as a disadvantaged community, meaning that their pollution burden and
vulnerability is severe. These communities are targeted for investments from the California Cap-and-Trade Program
(OEHHA 2022). Planting trees in targeted areas of the City that have a higher vulnerability to pollution and health effects of pollution can be a powerful tool toward creating a more equitable Santa Maria.

Figure 11 displays the percentages of different racial/ ethnic groups represented Citywide and within census
tracts with different canopy cover levels. As shown, areas with highest canopy cover percentage (15%–19.9%) have a higher proportion of white population (63.3%). Conversely, areas with lower canopy cover have a higher proportion
non-white groups.

The areas of the city that are
most vulnerable to pollution
have a lower canopy cover
(approximately 2%) compared
to the average City-wide canopy
cover (approximately 5.5%).

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 30
City of Santa Maria - Census Tracts
CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Percentiles
2306
2305
2303
2304
2403
2404
2402
2011
2013
2012
2007
2103
2102
2101
2206
2205
2209
2210
2211
CES Percentile
Analysis area
Excluded City area
70 to 80
60 to 70
50 to 60
40 to 50
30 to 40
20 to 30
10 to 20
0 to10
Figure 9. CalEnviroScreen 4.0

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
31 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Figure 10. Tree Canopy Cover by CalEnviroScreen Range

17.1%

5.5%

13.8%

5.6%

6.7%

6.8%

1.9%
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-89
90-100
0%
5%
10%
15%
Tree Canopy Cover (%)
CES Range
(least to most pollution burdened)
CES Range
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-89
90-100
Tree Canopy Cover Percent by CES Range
City of Santa Maria - Census Tracts
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 32

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Figure 11. Race/Ethnicity by Canopy Cover
66%
27%
4%
25%
63%
5%
5%
72%
21%
5%
68%
25%
5%
0%-4.9%
5%-9.9%
15%-19.9%
By Canopy Cover
City-wide
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Percent of Population
White
Hispanic/Latinx
Asian
Black
Other/Multiple
Races
Native
American
Distribution of Race/Ethnicity
by Canopy Cover of Census Tract
City of Santa Maria - Canopy Cover
Percentages less than 2% are unlabled.
33 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.1.3 Canopy Cover by Land Use Type
Land use type is an important component of canopy cover analysis, as different land use types have higher potential to support increased canopy cover. For example, parks
generally present opportunities for planting large trees, which can greatly contribute to increasing canopy and
provide greater environmental benefits than multiple small trees. Likewise, residential land uses present opportunities to increase canopy cover through tree planting on private property. Examples of ways this can be accomplished include educational campaigns, tree giveaway programs, or street tree plantings in the right-of-way.

As shown in Figure 12, planned development residential uses have seen the greatest increase in canopy cover, as trees are planted within these areas as a part of development requirements. Land uses with the most canopy cover include open space (10.9%), planned development – residential
medium density (8.4%), and public space (7.6%). High canopy cover in public space contributes to community character and placemaking. Ensuring new trees are planted along
with downtown revitalization is critical to maintaining and increasing canopy cover in public space.

Industrial and commercial uses have notably lower canopy cover than the Citywide average. This is typical of most cities but also presents opportunities for increasing canopy in these areas. The City requires trees to be planted in commercial and industrial development; however, tree care, pruning, and maintenance is conducted by private property owners and there is no ongoing monitoring by the City.

Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), Tunnel Park, Santa Maria, CA SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 34

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Figure 12. Canopy Cover by Land Use Type

2.1%

0.0%

1.0%

0.8%

1.6%

0.6%

1.2%

0.4%

0.5%

0.9%

0.6%

0.1%
-1.6%
-0.7%
-0.3%
-0.5%
-0.9%
Open

space
Planned development - open space
Industrial
Planned development - industrial
Airport
Public space
Mixed use / specific plan
Commercial
Planned development - commercial
Residential low density
Residential high density
Planned development - public space
Residential medium density
Planned development - residential low density
Planned development - residential high density
Planned development - residential medium density
NA
-1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%
Canopy Cover Percent Gained or Lost
Land Use Type
Change in Canopy Cover Percent from 2012 to 2018
City of Santa Maria - Land Use Type

10.9%

8.4%

7.6%

7.2%

6.1%

5.9%

5.5%

5.2%

5.0%

4.2%

4.1%

3.9%

2.5%

2.3%

2.1%

1.0%

0.0%

2.5%

5.0%

7.5%

10.0%
2018 Canopy Cover Percent
35 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.2 City-Managed Tree Inventory
Santa Maria’s tree inventory was first completed in 2002 and updated in 2017. The inventory includes 35,605 data points, including 26,465 City- managed trees, as well as vacant sites (8,962), stump sites (167), and not City planted/maintained trees (11). The inventory is updated daily or weekly as work is performed. The City’s stocking rate is 74%. The City’s tree inventory was analyzed using i-Tree, a peer-reviewed software suite developed by USDA Forest Service that provides urban and rural forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. This analysis utilized the iTree-Eco tool which provides urban forest and individual tree analyses including functional analyses, structure and composition analyses, forecasting modeling, and management information (USDA 2023).

Appendix C-1 and C-2 contain the full analysis of the tree inventory and key highlights are presented below.

3.2.1 Sustainability Indicators
Cities with tree inventories that lack species diversity and age diversity may be more susceptible to invasive pests, pathogens, or significant weather events, because biological diversity is often regarded as the basis for ecological stability (Tilman and Downing 1994). While not all introduced invasive species result in destructive losses to urban forests, an important strategy to increase resiliency to threats is to foster a diverse urban forest.

Santa Maria
has 26,465
City-managed
trees.

The tree inventory identified
4,605 vacant tree planting
sites, and an additional 4,523
“potential” tree planting
sites. These represent
opportunities for additional
tree plantings.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 36
Generally, a city’s tree inventory should contain no more than 10% of any one species, 20% of any one genus, or 30% of any one family (Miller and Miller 1991; Richards 1993; Ball 2007). A more stringent limitation of 5% of any one species and 10% of any one genus is commonly used to provide additional protection of the tree inventory (Ball et al. 2007). The City’s inventory contains 26,465 individual trees, comprised of 144 genera and 259 species. Currently, eight (8) of the top 10 species fall within the 5% recommendation (Queen palm [Syagrus romanzoffianum[ and Callery pear [Pyrus calleryana] slightly exceed the 5% recommendation), and the top 10
genera fall within the 10% recommendation (see Appendix C for further details). As the City continues to plant new trees, it should consider planting trees outside of these species that are overrepresented in the inventory. Section 3.4 provides a recommended species palette that considers this.

The age distribution of Santa Maria’s tree inventory can be estimated by examining trees’ diameters at standard height.

Santa Maria’s diameter at standard height distribution is shown in Table 5 and Figure 13. Based on urban forestry research (Richards 1983), an urban forest consisting of 40% immature trees, 30% young trees, 20% middle-aged trees, and 10% mature trees would represent a sustainable age
distribution. Santa Maria’s tree inventory has a notably higher percentage of young trees (49%) than the recommended
sustainability metric (30%). However, this can be attributed to the increase in tree planting that has occurred in the City more recently, representing a growing urban forest. The percentage of middle-aged trees (5.2%) is also notably lower than the recommended 20%, which can be attributed to a lack of tree preservation as the City has developed. Additionally, many large species trees were previously planted in small planters, resulting in tree removal as infrastructure conflicts have arisen.

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 5. AGE DISTRIBUTION
AGE

CATEGORY
DSH
(INCHES)

RECOMMENDED

PERCENTAGE OF

TREE INVENTORY

PERCENTAGE

OF TREE

INVENTORY
Immature 0–6 40% 38%
Young 7–18 30% 49%
Middle-Aged 19–24 20% 5.2%
Mature 25+ 10% 7.6%
Source: City of Santa Maria Tree Inventory; Richards 1983 Note: DSH = diameter at standard height.
37 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
38%
8%
5% 49%
40%
30%
20%
10%
City
Inventory
Sustainability
Goal
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
Percent of Inventory
Age Classiﬁcation:

Immature Young Middle-aged Mature
City of Santa Maria Inventory - Diameter at Standard Height (DSH) Diversity Immature:
less
than
6"
DSH,
Youn
g:
6"
-
18"
DSH,
Middle-aged:
18"
-
24"
DSH,
Mature:
greater
than
24"
DSH
Percentages
less
than
1%
are
unlabeled.

Figure 13. Age Distribution
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 38

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST

3.2.2 Environmental Services/Economic Benefits
Santa Maria’s tree inventory provides the annual environmental services and benefits shown in Table 6. Santa Maria’s tree inventory has the financial value shown in Table 7. i-Tree Eco was used to analyze tree inventory records to determine the values of the environmental services provided by the City’s trees. In addition to these environmental services, Santa Maria’s inventory increases property values; provides shade, food, and habitat for wildlife; reduces urban heat islands; and increases public health outcomes. These services contribute directly to the community members’ quality of life, and discussing their merits is one method to encourage residents and business owners to participate in urban forest programs.

Santa Maria’s urban forest
removes 13.6 tons of air
pollution annually, including
ozone, sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen dioxide, carbon
monoxide, and particulate
matter < 2.5 micrometers.

It also produces 721 tons of
oxygen annually.

Pines (pinus spp.) , Jones Street, Santa Maria, CA
39 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 7. TREE INVENTORY FINANCIAL VALUE

VALUE DESCRIPTION ASSET AMOUNT PER-TREE VALUE
Carbon Storage 270.4 tons
The carbon removed from the City’s air by the
urban forest is equivalent to annual emission
from 200 automobiles.
$46,100
Structural Tree replacement cost $99,900,000 $3,775
Functional* Value based on the services
trees perform $76,1000 $2.88
*There are additional environmental services that Santa Maria’s inventory performs, including oxygen production and pollution removal. i-Tree’s model was not able to estimate the value of these services. It is likely that the functional value of the trees is greater than represented in Table 7.

Sources: City of Santa Maria Tree Inventory and i-Tree Analysis (USFS 2020).

TABLE 6. ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS

SERVICE ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL

BENEFIT ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANNUAL ECONOMIC VALUE Carbon
Sequestration
(Carbon dioxide
removed from air
by trees)
270.4 tons
The carbon removed from the City’s air by the
urban forest is equivalent to annual emission
from 200 automobiles.
$46,100
Avoided Runoff 3,362,494 gallons This benefit is equivalent to the average annual water usage of 31 American homes. $30,000
Sources: City of Santa Maria Tree Inventory and i-Tree Analysis (USFS 2023).

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 40

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST

3.3 TREE PLANTING PRIORITY AND

OPPORTUNITY AREAS
The Priority Planting Score (PPS) prioritizes where the City should focus tree planting efforts by census tract for a more equitably distributed canopy cover, presented in Figure 14.

The study area for developing the PPS was limited to the canopy analysis study area. A higher PPS indicates a higher priority for focused tree planting efforts. PPS considers current canopy cover, distribution of land use type, total recorded City-managed vacant planting sites, pollution
burden and equity, and relative population and acreage.

The PPS multiplies a canopy gap index by a priority equity index for each census tract to calculate the relative tree planting needs within the study area. A canopy goal is
calculated for each census tract based on the current canopy, as well as distribution of land use types and vacant planting sites relative to other census tracts. The canopy gap index is then calculated based on the difference between the current canopy and the goal for each census tract. The canopy gap index is a number between 0 and 100, with a higher number indicating a greater gap between the current canopy cover and the goal. A priority equity index is calculated for each census tract based on CES, an equity-focused metric of
pollution vulnerability and burden, and relative population and acreage sizes. The priority equity index is a number between 0 and 1, with a higher number indicating a higher need for trees based on equity metrics.

Figure 14. Priority Planting Analysis
City of Santa Maria - Priority Planting Analysis
80 to 100
60 to 80
40 to 60
20 to 40
0 to 20
Analysis area
Priorty Planting Score
41 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.4 RECOMMENDED TREE SPECIES
The City currently uses a recommended species list developed by the Department of Recreation and Parks. The current
list is out of date and the development arborist has allowed additional trees to be used with their review and approval.

As a result, tree selection varies by project, which can impact sustainability goals. Furthermore, given anticipated temperature increases, extended drought periods, and state- mandated water restrictions, it is important to review the species planted in the urban landscape to ensure that trees are expected to thrive for the next 50 years. To accomplish this, the current City-recommended species list was reviewed against several factors including: tree inventory data, including existing tree health ratings by species; Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS); research on the suitability of street tree species given anticipated climate conditions (McBride, J.R., and Lacan 2018); a comparison of City tree inventories with anticipated future annual temperatures of Santa Maria; and discussions with City staff on existing tree health and performance.

Appendix D provides an updated recommended species list for use by all city departments. The list considers the following:
• A preference for trees that are rated as very low or low by the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species
• Adaptation to future heat and drought conditions
• Inclusion of well-adapted local and regionally native species
• Diverse planting size requirements to allow for various tree planting locations to encourage a “right tree, right place” philosophy of tree selection and planting
• A diversity of species to achieve species diversity
standards
• Options to reflect existing neighborhood character

3.5 URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT
One of the tenets of urban forest sustainability is that urban forests require human intervention (Clark et al. 1997).

The urban forest of Santa Maria is comprised primarily of planted trees, as well as naturally occurring trees along riparian corridors and open space areas. Trees in the urban environment need supplemental watering to establish
roots. As they grow and develop a canopy, the limbs and branches need pruning to increase safety and limit conflict with infrastructure. When trees die, they require removal and replacement, to complete the life cycle and start anew.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 42

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
The following sections outline the management practices of the City and provide an analysis based on current research, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and American National Standards Institute best management practices, interviews with City staff, and community feedback.

3.5.1 Organizational Structure
Figure 15 depicts the organizational structure of the various offices, departments, divisions, and commissions/committees that are involved in tree management in Santa Maria.

City Manager’s
Office
Recreation and Parks
Department
Recreation and Parks
Commission
Urban Forest
Division
Urban Forest
Advisory Committee
Figure 15. Organizational Structure
43 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

CITY INTERVIEWS
Between September and November 2022, Dudek conducted
interviews with City staff, elected officials, commissioners, and community members to better understand urban forest management in the City. Interviews were conducted virtually via Zoom. Eight individuals were interviewed, interviewees are shown in Table 8. The interviews explored the role each stakeholder had in influencing City tree management,
clarified internal City procedures, and informed areas where the City could improve management of the urban forest.

Major themes shared during the interviews are included in Appendix E.

TABLE 8. STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS

DEPARTMENT TITLE INTERVIEWEE
Recreation and Parks Director Alex Posada
Recreation and Parks Urban Forest Supervisor Scott Christian Recreation and Parks Commissioner Ann Batterson
Recreation and Parks;
Downtown Revitalization
Committee
Commissioner;
Committee Member Rebecca Carey
Recreation and Parks Assistant Director Brett Fulgoni
Community Development,
Planning Division Senior Planner Carol Ziesenhenne
Community Development,
Planning Division Commissioner Robert Dickerson
Recreation and Parks Parks Operation Manager Casey Stone City Attorney’s Office City Attorney Thomas Watson
Community Member Landscape Architect Kevin Small
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 44

3.5.2 Staffing and Contractors
The City uses a combination of in-house staff from the
Recreation and Parks Department and external contractors to implement tree maintenance Citywide. Collectively, in- house staff oversee all City tree maintenance carried out by in-house staff and contractors. In-house staff include a parks operations manager, urban forest supervisor, urban forest technician, and laborer, two of whom are ISA Certified Arborists.

Full-time equivalents (FTEs) represent the percentage of staff time for staff who are involved with the municipal tree management program based on a 40-hour work week. The
total number of in-house FTEs involved with tree management for Santa Maria is 1.75 (Table 9). Staff who spend the most time dedicated to tree-related work include the urban forest supervisor (40% of time) and the urban forest technician (100% of time).

Staff who are responsible for overseeing tree maintenance and care maintain the following credentials:
• ISA Certified Arborist
• ISA Certified Municipal Specialist
• ISA Advanced Credential (Tree Risk Assessment
Qualification)
London Plane (Platanus × acerifolia), Seaward Drive, Santa Maria, CA 45 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 9. CITY OF SANTA MARIA TREE-RELATED IN-HOUSE STAFF POSITIONS

TYPE NUMBER OF POSITIONS NUMBER OF FTES
Operations Manager 1 0.1
Urban Forest Supervisor 1 0.4
Urban Forest Technician 1 1
Laborer 1 0.25
Total 4 1.75
Jim May Park, Santa Maria, CA
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 46

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST

3.5.3 Budget and Funding
City of Santa Maria annual budget related to tree management for fiscal years 2020/2021 through 2023/2024 is shown in Table 10a and 10b. Table 11 further provides the breakdown of Santa Maria’s annual budget (2020/2021 through 2023/2024) that is attributed to in-house and contract employees, and calculates the per tree spending on Santa Maria’s trees.

TABLE 10A. SANTA MARIA TREE MANAGEMENT OPERATING BUDGET (CONTRACTOR SERVICES) BUDGET LINE ITEM FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 23/24
Street Tree Care $350,000 $400,000 $500,000
Park Tree Care and Planting $50,000 $150,000 $75,000
Street Tree Planting $0 $0 $50,000
Grant Funded Planting $0 $0 $40,650
Total Tree Budget $400,000 $550,000 $665,650
TABLE 10B. SANTA MARIA ANNUAL TREE MANAGEMENT OPERATING BUDGET (CONTRACTOR + IN-HOUSE SERVICES) BUDGET LINE ITEM FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 23/24
Street Tree Care $373,845 $384,050 $538,820
Park Tree Care and Planting $54,835 $165,950 $88,000
Tree Planting $10,000 $58,500 $113,650
Grant Funded Planting $0 $0 $40,650
Total Tree Budget $438,680 $608,500 $781,120
47 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 11. SANTA MARIA ANNUAL TREE MANAGEMENT BUDGET DISTRIBUTION (CONTRACTOR + IN HOUSE SERVICES)

BUDGET LINE
ITEM FY 20/21 FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 21/22 FY 22/23 FY 22/23 Contractor
Services
In-House
Services
Contractor
Services
In-House
Services
Contractor
Services
In-House
Services
Tree planting $0 $10,000 $28,500 $30,000 $73,650 $40,000 Tree watering $0 $2,000 $3,000 $6,000 $27,000 $8,000
Tree pest
management $0 $1,000 $0 $800 $0 $0
Tree pruning $340,000 $19,280 $400,500 $18,000 $490,000 $55,160 Tree removal $50,000 $4,400 $95,000 $1,700 $41,500 $9,960 Stump removal $10,000 $0 $23,000 $0 $13,500 $8,000
Storm cleanup $0 $2,000 $0 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000
Total Services
Budget $400,000 $38,680 $550,000 $58,500 $650,000 $131,120 Total Contractor
+ In-House
Services Budget
$438,680 $608,500 $781,120
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 48

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 11. SANTA MARIA ANNUAL TREE MANAGEMENT BUDGET DISTRIBUTION (CONTRACTOR + IN HOUSE SERVICES)

BUDGET LINE
ITEM FY 20/21 FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 21/22 FY 22/23 FY 22/23 Staff Salaries*
Operations
Manager N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $16,800
Urban Forest
Supervisor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $66,080
Urban Forest
Technician N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $102,200
Laborer N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $14,700
Total Salary
Budget N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $199,780
Total (Services +
Salary Budget N/A N/A $980,900
Per Tree
Spending N/A N/A $37
Note: FY = fiscal year; N/A = not applicable.
*Annual staff salaries are calculated based on the percentage of time overseeing tree maintenance. 49 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Figure 16 depicts the tree maintenance funding sources that contribute to the City’s urban forest budget and the percentage of the total budget provided by each.

Distribution of Tree Maintenance Budget Funding Sources Gas Tax
Assessment
District
General
Fund
Forestry
Grants
Fines
70%
20%
5%
5% <1%
Figure 16. Distribution of Tree Maintenance Budget Funding Sources Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) City Hall (Cook St.), Santa Maria, CA SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 50

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 12. COMPARISON OF MUNICIPAL URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT FUNDING

CALIFORNIA CITY POPULATION TREE BUDGET NUMBER OF PUBLICLY

MANAGED TREES

TREE BUDGET ALLOCATION

PER TREE
Oxnard 208,154 $374,641 48,806 $7.67
Redding 95,542 $293,111 20,600 $14.23
Temecula 115,202 $571,970 30,715 $18.62
Santa Maria 109,711 $743,631 26,465 $37
Hauer and Peterson 2016
Survey Respondents
(n = 78)
100,00–249,999 $1,368,607 73,723 $44.85
Chico 130,178 $2,287,403 34,874 $65.59
Rancho Cordova 73,147 $329,000 3,910 $84.14

COMPARISON TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES
Table 12 presents a comparison of the City’s budget and per- tree spending with other cities. Populations and tree inven- tory sizes vary across these comparison cities. The City’s per-tree spending of $37 is lower than that of comparison cities ($44.85) in the Hauer and Peterson study (2016). Howev- er, the City’s per tree budget is in line with the average across the United States and Western United States (see Figures 17 and 18).

Table 13 compares the City’s tree management FTEs to other cities of comparable sizes. The City’s 1.75 FTEs is lower than the average (2.6 FTEs) reported by 87 cities in the Hauer and Peterson (2016) study. When considering the number of FTEs per 10,000 trees, the City’s 0.7 FTEs per 10,000 trees is also lower than comparison cities, reflecting a need for additional staff to sustainably manage the urban forest. Further, if staff numbers stay the same but all vacant tree planting sites are planted, the total number of City-managed trees would be 35,594, which would result in a per tree spending of $27. 51 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 13. COMPARISON OF MUNICIPAL URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT STAFFING

CALIFORNIA CITY POPULATION NUMBER OF PUBLICLY

MANAGED TREES

NUMBER OF FTES RELATED

TO TREE MANAGEMENT
FTES PER 10,000
TREES
Temecula 115,202 30,715 0.40 0.13
Santa Maria 109,711 26,465 1.75 0.7
Oxnard 208,154 48,806 4.57 0.9
San Luis Obispo 48,341 12,455 1 0.8
Redding 95,542 20,600 2.58 1.2
Hauer and Peterson 2016
Survey Respondents
(n=87)
100,00–249,999 73,723 11.8 1.6
Chico 130,178 34,874 9.25 2.6
Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) Chapel Street, Santa Maria, CA SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 52

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Figures 17 and 18 provide comparisons of Santa Maria’s tree budget to national averages. As shown, Santa Maria’s tree budget is slightly less than the national average but more than the average spending on trees for municipalities the western United States.

Figure 17 - Forestry Budget Figure 18 - Average Budget Per Public Tree Comparison of Annual Forestry Budget to National Averages Santa Maria Average U.S. Average
Western U.S.
$781,120
$801,595
$675,314
Average Budget Per Public Tree
Santa Maria Average U.S. Average
Western U.S.
$37
$37.50
$33.72
53 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Top reasons trees
are removed in
Santa Maria include
the following:

1. Declining or dead

2. Damage to sidewalks

3. Age

4. Development

5. Storm damage

3.5.4 Annual Service Data
The Recreation and Parks Department staff and contracted staff participate in tree management and maintenance in a variety of ways throughout the City. Table 14 presents the services and activities performed by City and contract staff and identifies strengths as well as opportunities for improvement, based on staff interviews and review of management activities. Figure 19 depicts the breakdown of tree service activities typically performed in a fiscal year and Figure 20 shows the tree-related work records from 2017–2022.

Poorly pruned tree in a residential yard. Carlotti Drive, Santa Maria, CA SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 54

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 14. REVIEW OF TREE SERVICES PERFORMED BY SANTA MARIA

TREE PLANTING ESTABLISHMENT

CARE TREE INSPECTIONS TREE PRUNING TREE REMOVAL URBAN WOOD REUSE There is no formal tree planting
program. Most trees are
planted by resident request
or replacements of removed
trees.

Newly planted trees
are monitored once
per year for 5 years.

Santa Maria has
certified arborists,
Tree Risk Assessment
Qualified (TRAQ)
arborists, and a pest
control adviser (PCA)
who conduct tree
inspections.
3,281 trees
were pruned in
FY 22/23
3,655 trees
were pruned in
FY 21/22
278 trees were
removed in FY
22/23
443 trees were
removed in FY 21/22
The City does not have a formal
urban wood reuse program.

Trees are purchased from
nurseries in San Luis Obispo
County.

Formative care is
provided for newly
planted trees for
5 years after tree
planting.

City-managed trees are
inspected by an arborist
on a 4-year cycle to
determine management
needs.

The City’s
inventoried
trees are on a
4-year arborist
review cycle
to determine
pruning needs.

No pruning is
automatically
conducted.

Pruning is 90%
systematic and
The City does not
have a tree risk
management policy.

Coordination
with the City’s
emergency services
is needed following
storms, fire, or
other emergencies
that may affect
trees.

Many tree and sidewalk
conflicts occur throughout the
City, as a result of a history of
large trees being planted in
small planters throughout the
City. Opportunities exist to
explore creative solutions to
sidewalk conflicts, rather than
tree removal (see Appendix F).

Further, Appendix G provides
soil volume recommendations
for street trees.

Trees are planted by the Urban
Forest Advisory Committee
and other volunteer efforts.

There were 10 trees planted
by the Urban Forest Advisory
Committee for Arbor Day 2023.

Stake management
and young tree
management is
an issue in new
development
areas. Education
and outreach for
residents regarding
establishment care
is needed.

A PCA conducts annual
reviews of the City tree
inventory to identify
disease and pest issues,
allowing the City to
prioritize and deal with
the significant concerns
Risk
assessments
and arborists
reports are
completed
occasionally,
as well as
nesting bird
surveys.

Declining or dead
trees are the top
reason for tree
removal, followed
by damage to
sidewalk.

Ad hoc urban wood reuse
occurs as residents or staff
voluntarily recycle wood into
wood products.
55 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 14. REVIEW OF TREE SERVICES PERFORMED BY SANTA MARIA

TREE RISK INFRASTRUCTURE CONFLICTS WATERING TREE

RESPONSIBILITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH
ISA Tree Risk Assessment best
management practices are
implemented and the City has
(TRAQ) Arborists on staff.

There is currently no system, policy,
or planning document that regulates
which species are planted along
sidewalks/parkway strips.

The City does
not have a formal
watering program for
trees.

The City is responsible
for right-of-way trees
(trees within 10 feet of
sidewalk)
The City provides
technical assistance and
information to private
property owners on
an as-requested basis
through the City’s urban
forestry webpage
The City does not have a tree risk
management policy.

Coordination with the City’s
emergency services is needed
following storms, fire, or other
emergencies that may affect
Many tree and sidewalk conflicts occur
throughout the City, as a result of a
history of large trees being planted
in small planters throughout the City.

Opportunities exist to explore creative
solutions to sidewalk conflicts, rather
than tree removal (see Appendix F).

Further, Appendix G provides soil
volume recommendations for street
trees.

Trees have
been planted in
traditionally irrigated
landscapes; however,
as the City progresses
toward drought-
tolerant landscaping,
a plan for maintaining
tree irrigation is
needed.

The City asks private
property owners to
water newly planted
trees in the right-of-
way and the City is
responsible for tree
maintenance (e.g.,
pruning). Watering by
private property owners
is not consistently
implemented or
enforced.

The City hosts Arbor Day
events such as “how to
plant a tree” and “how
to manage tree staking”
educational tutorials for
the public.

Regular inspection and removal
are conducted. Inspections occur
in response to citizen complaints,
as part of routine maintenance,
and after windshield surveys.

The City has made 10 × 10 foot planters
a minimum requirement for new
development to future reduce sidewalk
conflicts.

The City asks
private property
owners to water
newly planted street
trees, which has
been inconsistently
implemented.

Information providing
clarification regarding
tree responsibility is
needed.

Updates to the City’s
urban forestry website
and educational/
outreach materials are
needed.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 56

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Figure 19 - Tree Service Activities
2,900
10 278
3,281
525
1,000
10 Lorem ipsum
Trees Treated for Pest/Disease
Trees Removed
Trees Planted
Public Requests for Service
Trees Inspected by an Arborist
Trees Pruned
0 1,000 2,000 3,000
Total Trees
Service Type
Fiscal Year 2022/2023
City of Santa Maria - Tree Service Activities
57 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Figure 20 - Work Records
3,927
2,718
3,300
1,836
2,162
1,493
253
119
318
160
228
215
159
227
9 48
18 28
40 1
27 2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
0 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
Number of trees receiving work
Year
Work Type
trimming
plantings
removals
stump only
Total annual work records by type (Jan 2017 - Oct 2022) City of Santa Maria work records

22 SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 58

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), Seaward Drive, Santa Maria, CA 59 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.5.5 Management Practices
A Field Guide was developed as a companion document to
the UFMP, which includes the City defined best management practices (BMPs) for tree planting, maintenance care,
preservation and other related City practices. The BMP’s for the Field Guide are based on arboriculture and urban forestry standards developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Urban Tree Foundation, and experience of the
consultant team. The Field Guide is provided so City BMPs are clear and consistently applied by all staff, contractors, and others who interact with trees in Santa Maria.

3.5.6 Policies, Ordinances, Planting Guidelines
As part of the UFMP process, existing policies, ordinances, and planting guidelines were reviewed. Discussion and
suggested updates to existing policies and ordinances are detailed in Table 15. The policy/ordinance section numbering and current standards shown in Table 15 are pulled directly from existing City documents and the existing municipal code, and are intended to reflect section numbering therein.

A redline version of the tree ordinance (Chapter 8-8 of the municipal code) has been prepared to accompany this UFMP based on the recommendations presented below.

Street trees on Orange Street, Santa Maria, CA
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 60

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Landscape & Irrigation
Standards (Identical
content found in Tree
Planting Guidelines
document)
Owner/Developer
Requirements
The Developer will replace any
stressed tree/plant material within 30
days
30 days can be a short period for many trees to show signs of stress. Recommended to update to 90 days, as this would provide more of a safeguard for tree failure due to transplant stress
N/A It would be beneficial for this document to include a tree protection plan and standard details for tree protection.

Trees
N/A
Include guidance for “right tree, right place” principal, encouraging landscapers and developers to consider
environmental conditions such as light availability, watering schedule, and presence of surrounding infrastructure when choosing tree species.

Trees shall be placed at the same
elevations that existed in their
containers
ISA best management practices guide recommends tree trunk flares be 0–2 inches above the soil grade. When the trunk flare is buried, the tree has a higher susceptibility to basal rot and draught. It is common for trees to come from nurseries with their trunk flare at a sub-optimal elevation. It may be necessary to remove excess soil to ensure that the trunk flare is not buried.

Staking and
Tying
Tying: Plastic, heavy-duty tree ties 1”
wide shall be used in accordance with
the above staking information.

Include information: Ties should be moderately elastic and loosely fitted. When young trees are bound too tightly, they may not develop the sufficient trunk taper necessary to support their own weight as they mature. Original nursery stakes and ties should be removed at planting.

Planting Specifications
Root ball N/A At least two primary roots should be present 1–3 inches below soil surface
Fertilizer Tabs 21 grams, 20-10-5 First season fertilizer, if used at all, should be a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer in the plant pit.
61 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Maintenance
Requirements
for Landscape
Contractors
Fertilizers
The Contractor shall purchase and apply
the following fertilizers at the application
rates within the time period specified.

Mandatory annual fertilizer application is uncommon and not recommended for municipalities. Overuse of fertilizer may not benefit the tree and may have negative effects on the tree and the surrounding environment. Additionally, no fertilizer should be applied in the first year after planting. Fertilization should follow model the State of California water efficient landscape ordinance (MWELO) soils test recommendations.

Pruning N/A
Include that pruning must adhere to ANSI -A300 and ISA standards, and no pruning shall be conducted by the contractor other than removing broken stems. Include information about reduction cuts.

Tree Preservation
Notes
9 The Contractor is required to water,
fertilize and attend to other maintenance
needs of existing trees to maintain healthy
growth throughout the construction
period.

Inform reader that further details can be found in the Maintenance Requirements for Landscape Contractors document.
10 If trees are being relocated, the relocation
of existing trees shall occur under the
observation and direction of a certified
arborist approved by the City of Santa
Maria.

If trees are being relocated, the removal and relocation of existing trees shall occur under the observation and direction of a certified arborist approved by the City of Santa Maria.

Santa Maria
Municipal Code
8-8: Urban
Forestry
Increase long term forest stability with
continued specie and age diversity
plantings.

Typo: correct specie to species. Typo appears several times throughout the document.
8-8.02
Definitions N/A
Add: (x) “Drip Line” means the circumferential area directly below the tree’s canopy. This area is considered where the majority of the tree’s roots exist.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 62

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal Code
8-8.05.

Nuisances:

Designated
(c) Any tree, shrub, vine, or flower that is
deemed harmful or potentially harmful
on oral or other contact by a person as
determined by the Director of Recreation
and Parks or an authorized representative.

May be beneficial for the City to have a consistent resource or list of species deemed harmful.

N/A
Add: (i) Any tree, shrub, vine, or flower recognized as an invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the California Invasive Plant Council.
8-8.08.

Construction
Work:

Protection
measures
Plans submitted to the City for the
construction, repair or alteration of
any building, house or structure shall
include provisions for sufficient guards or
protectors to prevent injury to any existing
publicly owned trees, shrubs, flowers, or
vines.

Only mentions necessity for protections in plans. Does not specify that stated protections must take place on the construction site for City- owned and City-conditioned trees.

Suggested modification: Sufficient guards, buffer areas, and protectors shall be used during construction, repair, or alteration of any building, house, or structure to prevent injury to any existing publicly owned or conditioned trees, shrubs, flowers, or vines. Such protections should be included in plans submitted to the City. Plans for protection shall be approved by the Director of Recreation and Parks 10 days prior to the issuance of permit to proceed.

N/A It may be effective to include an expansion of this section, giving specifics on what constitutes sufficient guards and barriers. 8-8.09.

Pay to the City the City’s cost of replacing
the removed tree, as provided by Section
8-8.10.

Clarification is needed regarding fees collected for tree removal permits and fines and what such payments go toward, such as easement funds, tree planting funds, etc.
63 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal Code
8-8.10.

Recovery of
Damages
(c) Where injury has occurred to the tree,
shrub, flower or vine during the erection,
repair, construction, or alteration of any
building, house or structure, or by truck
and/or car accident, house moving or by
acts of vandalism, the offending party or
insurance company shall not be released
from liability until the Director of
Recreation and Parks or his authorized
representative determines that the tree
has fully recovered.

Add to the end of paragraph: If the Director of Recreation and Parks determines that the tree will not be able to recover, the injury will be considered equally to a removal and replacement trees shall be required.
8-8.14.

Replacement
Trees.

Section 8-8.14. Replacement Trees. Redundant with Section 8.8.10. Consider consolidating into one section.
8-8.15
Planting of
New Trees
Tree replacement shall be required if
the tree dies during the establishment
period. A new establishment period will
be determined at the time of replanting
Clarify responsible party for replacement.
(c) All pruning of public trees shall be
in accordance with current pruning
specifications of the City Parks Division.
(Ord. 95-17, eff. 02/01/96)
Include reference to graphics in appendices.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 64

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal Code
8-8.16.

Topping
Prohibited.

It shall be unlawful to top or sub trees.

It may be beneficial to include that topping a tree will be regarded by the City equally to removing a tree. "Effective removal" approach.

Consider adopted a sliding scale, ranging from “damaged” to “destroyed.”
(c) All pruning of public trees shall be
in accordance with current pruning
specifications of the City Parks Division.
(Ord. 95-17, eff. 02/01/96))
Reader should be guided where to find such specifications. The specifications shall be based on ANSI 300 standards and ISA Best Management practices and will be available on the Urban Forest page of the City website.
8-8.17 Tree
Root Pruning
Efforts shall be made to preserve
existing trees where Practical. At times,
removal and replacement of a tree is
superior to preservation of a tree, and
will be determined at the Director of
Recreation and Parks’ discretion
This statement seems to be independent of root pruning. Consider including in the removal sections instead.
8-8.19.

Historic or
Heritage
Trees
To be considered as a Heritage Tree the
determination that the tree is over 50
years old, or be a
species that is not common to the
California coastal zone and has reached
a remarkable height, or it can be
documented that the tree played a
pivotal role in the development of the
City.

Age is a difficult metric because planting records, maintenance records, or photo evidence are required. Many municipalities choose to protect trees based on their diameter at standard height.

This designation shall have no other
requirements/
Age is a difficult metric because planting records, maintenance records, or photo evidence are required. Many municipalities choose to protect trees based on their diameter at standard height. 65 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal
Code
Appendix
Illustration A Image
Recommended that "topping cut" is
included in the image in the same way "stub
cut" is included. Include that branches must
be cut at branch union as stated by ISA and
ANSI standards.
11-5
Subdivision
Design
11-5.09.

Street Tree
Easements.

A ten (10) foot wide City tree planting easement is required adjacent to all public streets, measured from the back of sidewalks that parallel the travelway. Arterial streets, certain collector streets, and areas where sidewalks meander shall not have a ten (10) foot wide tree planting easement.

Instead, these areas will require landscape easements required per the General Plan and Title 12 of the Municipal Code. (Ord. 94-29, eff. 12/15/94) 10-foot-wide tree planting easements are
required in all new development in Santa
Maria, creating positive opportunities for
street tree plantings.
8-8.17 Tree
Root Pruning
Efforts shall be made to preserve existing trees where Practical. At times, removal and replacement of a tree is superior to preservation of a tree, and will be determined at the Director of Recreation and Parks’ discretion This statement seems to be independent
of root pruning. Consider including in the
removal sections instead.
12-32 Off-
street parking
and loading
12-32.19.

Landscaping
In all districts, excluding the R-1 district, all open parking areas shall be landscaped except those areas specifically used for vehicle parking.

Landscaping shall include trees, shrubbery and ground cover. The landscape areas shall be provided with permanent sprinkler systems. Landscaping plans for commercial parking areas shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
a) All areas not specifically used for vehicle parking or access shall be landscaped with trees, shrubbery and living ground cover. (b) Parking shall be provided at the side or rear of the proposed structures when practicable. Parking lots fronting streets shall be landscaped to soften the visual impact of the parking lot from the street.
(c) Carports shall be located behind or to the side of multidwelling complexes where practical. Carport areas shall be screened from view of streets and highways by landscaping or fencing.

Consider establishing a minimum tree
planting requirement or canopy cover goal
for the required landscaping in parking
areas.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 66

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal
Code

12.33 Commercial
and Industrial
Performance
Standards
12-33.208
Parking
a) The parking requirements as set forth in this section are as prescribed by present City standards. The landscaping requirements for parking lots are intended to screen and soften the visual exposure of black asphalt and cars, and to create continuity between parking facilities and the businesses served.
(b) The typical parking lot landscaping (Figure 4, following page) shall serve as a guide in the development of parking lot landscape design. (1) All areas not specifically used for vehicle parking or access shall be landscaped with trees, shrubbery and ground cover. Trees at least equal in number to one (1) per each twelve (12) parking stalls or fraction thereof shall be provided in all parking areas. Minimum size shall be fifteen (15) gallons.
(4) Landscape plans for commercial parking areas shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator. (Prior Code § 10-98.1(e))
(1) Consider establishing a minimum tree
planting requirement or canopy cover goal for
the required landscaping in parking areas.
(4) Consider revising this section such that
approval of landscape plans is at the discretion
of the Recreation and Parks Director and/or an
arborist review is required
Chapter 12.44
Landscape
Standards
12-44.04
(a) Plant materials shall be appropriate for the slope, soils, proposed use, and exposure (sun/shade) of the specific site. Plant materials including turf shall be water conserving species or varieties capable of surviving on minimal irrigation once established.

Suggested addition to accentuate standard (g):

In order to encourage biodiversity and minimal
water use, plants native to the Santa Barbara
County region should be prioritized.
(b) Passive and/or active solar access, for all proposed structures, as well as any adjacent existing structures, shall be considered in the placement of trees and selection of species.

Provide guidance to the community regarding
passive and active solar access. The Arbor Day
Foundation’s “How to Plant Trees to Conserve
Energy for Summer Shade” guidance can be
used for energy savings and heat reduction
(Arbor Day Foundation 2023).
(c) Mowed turf shall not be used in narrow planters, raised beds, and other relatively small planters. However, it may be used when it serves as a landscape ground cover in a functional active recreation area, a retardation basin, a pedestrian accessway, a parkway, a front yard of a residence, or a highly visible planter area adjacent to the street.

Many Californian municipalities have shifted
away from the use of turfgrass due to long-
term patterns of extreme drought. Even
turfgrasses labeled as water conserving
require inefficient broadcast watering. The
City of Santa Maria discourages turfgrass
other than recreational purposes. MWELO
requirements and restrictions should be
followed.
67 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal
Code
Chapter

12.44 Landscape
Standards
12-44.04
(k) When building and boundary walls are adjacent to planters, a minimum of one 15-gallon size tree per thirty (30) linear feet of wall shall be provided.

Add guidelines for planting distance from walls
to avoid future conflicts. See Figure 4 of this
UFMP.
(l) Parking areas shall be screened, softened and shaded by conformance to the following requirements:
(1) A minimum of one 15-gallon tree shall be provided per six (6) parking spaces . Trees in planters adjacent to the parking area, as required by other sections of this ordinance, may be utilized to meet this requirement. (2) Parking areas shall be adequately landscaped to prevent large, uninterrupted expanses of paving. A minimum of two-hundred (200) square feet of planter areas shall be provided within the parking area per twenty (20) parking spaces.
(3) When the planter also serves as vehicular “overhang” area, a minimum width of four (4) feet of planting area per single row of parking and a minimum width of seven (7) feet of planting area per double row of parking shall be provided, unless more is required per other sections of Title 12, (i.e. setbacks).
(4) Three (3) foot high screening shall be provided using berms, shrubs, or a combination thereof, to screen parking areas from public streets.

This does not preclude the use of trees in such areas as long as trees are planted a minimum of ten (10) feet from any driveway approach to avoid sight obstructions.
(5) Special consideration shall be given to the placement of trees and shrubs in parking lot planters to maintain safe distances from vehicular travel ways, driveways, and walkways for proper visibility.

Consider revising this section as follows to
set minimum tree planting requirements
for parking lots such that potential conflicts
are reduced and progress toward increasing
canopy cover can be achieved.
(1) consider setting a minimum 20% canopy
cover target for parking lots. Rather than a
number of trees per parking spaces, a canopy
cover target for the entire parking lot (e.g.,
20% parking lot shading) can help to prioritize
the planting of large trees, as well as ensure
progress toward the City’s canopy cover goals.

This should be calculated based on the species
planted and potential canopy spread within a
certain timeframe (typically 15 years ).
(2) The City’s minimum 10-foot planter width
helps to ensure adequate space for trees.

Prioritize fewer large planters over multiple
small planters when meeting the parking lot
landscaping requirements.
(3) clarify whether trees are intended to be
planted in this size planter
(4) Consider modifying to further encourage the
use of trees in screening. Consult with Public
Works and Engineering to determine the best
approach for avoiding sight obstructions.

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3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal Code
Chapter 12.44
Landscape
Standards
12-44.04
(6) When selecting trees to be used in parking lot areas, the species chosen should be water conserving, low maintenance, litter-free, evergreen, and deep rooted. Whenever possible, trees species providing a shade canopy are encouraged to aid in reducing the amount of reflected heat in parking lot areas.
(5) Provide guidance for tree planting to
maintain safety and line of sight within
drive aisles.
(6) A parking lot shade requirement/
canopy cover target would help to achieve
this, as well as choosing species from the
Recommended Species List included as
Appendix D of this UFMP.
(7) Add clause to maximize the stormwater
retention capabilities of trees in parking
lots:

Planter areas should be designed to
encourage onsite stormwater retention.

Wherever possible, soil level for planter
areas should be below grade. All planters
surrounded by curbs shall have curb-cuts
of at least 18” in width and placed every 3
to 15 feet of linear curb space to allow for
and encourage stormwater infiltration into
planter areas. Trees should be planted in
stable, at grade areas separate from the
stormwater aspects of the landscaping.

Trees shall only be planted in stormwater
basins with review and approval by the
Director of Recreation and Parks.
(m) Storm water basins and features, when required, must be incorporated into the landscape scheme of a proposed project. The following requirements are intended to accomplish this objective:

Revise this section to preclude planting of
trees in stormwater basins without prior
approval by the Director of Recreation and
Parks. Bioswales and other stormwater
basins may not have the correct conditions
to support trees.
69 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal
Code
Chapter

12.44 Landscape
Standards
12-44.04
(n) The location, size and species of all existing trees in excess of six (6) inches in diameter and any existing street trees, shall be indicated on landscape plans submitted to the City. Existing trees shall be retained unless the finding can be made by the City Parks Department staff that the preservation of the tree presents a hazard to the health, safety and general welfare of the public or cannot be reasonably accommodated by the proposed development.
(1) The grades around existing trees designated to remain shall not be altered more than three (3) inches within the area from the trunk to the canopy dripline. (2) Pavement within the canopy dripline of existing trees should not exceed twenty- five percent (25%) of the area of the canopy.
(3) Existing trees that are approved for removal shall be replaced by suitable species sized as follows or as approved by the Zoning Administrator:

Size of Tree Removed
6″ to 8″ trunk diameter (at 4′ 6″ height)
Replace With
Two 24″ box size trees
(3″ to 5″ trunk diameter)
Size of Tree Removed
9″ to 12″ trunk diameter (at 4’ 6″ height)
Replace With
Four 24″ box size trees (3″ to 5″ trunk diameter)
Size of Tree Removed
12″+ trunk diameter (at 4′ 6″ height)
Replace With
Six 24″ box size trees (3″ to 5″ trunk diameter)
This section reads like a tree
protection ordinance. It is unclear
if this protection applies to all trees
or only trees in newly proposed
landscape areas. Consider moving
this to Chapter 8-8, revised as
necessary, as part of the tree
protection ordinance.
(2) revise such that this should apply
to the 25% of the potential canopy
at tree maturity
3) Considering revising this such
that a replacement ratio based
on species and potential tree
size is used to determine the
tree replacement requirement.

Also revise such that approval is
provided by the Recreation and
Parks Director.

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3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 15. POLICY AND ORDINANCE REVIEW

DOCUMENT SECTION CURRENT STANDARD RECOMMENDATION
Santa Maria
Municipal Code
Chapter 12.44
Landscape
Standards
12-44.04
(u) …The minimum proportion of open space to gross site areas shall be in conformance with the requirements specified in other sections, but in no case shall the planted area be less than fifteen percent (15%) of the site area in commercial and manufacturing districts and twenty-percent (20%) of the site area in multi-family residential districts.

Although it is clearly stated that these are
minimums, City might want to consider
increasing minimums to work towards the
City’s canopy cover goals.

Also, it may be beneficial to include
requirements for how much of planted
space should be trees vs. other types of
vegetation.
12-44.06 Submittal Requirements
Similar to the requirements in Section
8-8.08 of the municipal code, It is
recommended that a tree protection
plan is included with the Landscape
Documentation Package. In both situations,
the following should be included:
• Number and location of trees on site to
be preserved
• Size metrics for tree (height, diameter
at breast height)
• Tree protection zones: fenced area
surrounding tree within which no
grade changes, compaction, or other
construction activities may take place
71 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.6 City Planning Documents
A review of existing planning efforts for Santa Maria was conducted to identify goals or policies related to trees and ensure alignment across City planning documents. Table 16 depicts existing goals or policies related to trees. A review of existing major planning efforts for Santa Maria was
conducted to identify goals or policies related to trees and ensure alignment across City planning documents. Table 16 depicts existing goals or policies related to trees from the General Plan and the Downtown Multimodal Streetscape
Concept Plan. The table identifies the document reviewed, section and goal, policy, or action that relates to trees, the urban forest concept aligned with said goal, policy, or action, and whether it represents a strength, weakness, opportunity, or threat (SWOT) for the urban forest.

Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana), City Hall, Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 72

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 16. CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS

GENERAL PLAN
The Santa Maria General Plan serves as a blueprint for the physical development of the City. Based on California Government Code Section 65300, the General Plan includes a Land Use Element, Circulation Element, Noise Element, Safety Element, Resource Management Element, Housing Element, and Economic Development Element. The General Plan is currently being updated, with the updated version anticipated to be completed in early 2024. The current edition of the General Plan has been reviewed for purposes of the UFMP. However, future updates to the UFMP should consider the updated 2040 General Plan when it becomes available.

Section Goal/Policy/Action Urban Forest Concept
Supported SWOT
Land Use Element
OBJECTIVE L.U.9b Enhance the character of existing residential neighborhoods through the use of high-quality land use and development standards, street trees, neighborhood parks, other amenities, and code enforcement.

Placemaking
Aesthetics
Quality of life
Strength
Trees play an important
role in placemaking and
enhancing neighborhood
character. The UFMP
supports this objective.

Circulation Element
OBJECTIVE C.4.a Compatible Transportation System
Develop a transportation system that provides adequate facilities for heavy vehicle traffic and reduces the impact of such traffic on local circulation and residential environments.

IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS

1. As part of the site plan review process, the City shall require developers to locate noise-sensitive land uses away from heavily- traveled roadways through the provision of landscape buffers, walls, and setbacks between such uses and the roadways.

Safety
Quality of life
Opportunity
Implementation of
Objective C.4.a calls
for provisioning of
landscape buffers
along heavily traveled
roadways. Consider
revising such that trees
are a requirement within
landscape buffers.
73 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 16. CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS

GENERAL PLAN
Section Goal/Policy/Action
Urban Forest
Concept
Supported
SWOT
Resources
Management Element
Objective 2.1.j - Streets, pedestrian paths and
bikeways. Encourage the design of streets,
pedestrian paths, and bike paths so that they are
small and spatially defined by buildings, trees and
lighting and discourages high speed traffic.

Placemaking
Aesthetics
Quality of life
Opportunity
Objective 2.1.j encourages active transportation
routes that are defined by trees and other
infrastructure. Consider a requirement for
a minimum number of trees along active
transportation routes to achieve City canopy
cover goals of at least 20% in design of active
transportation routes to create safer, more appealing
routes. Active transportation routes present
opportunities to target a higher canopy cover
percentage to offset lower canopy areas of the City.

Additionally, shade provided by trees creates more
appealing, safer, and higher use active transportation
routes (Wolf 2010; Langenheim 2020). The City
should identify tree planting opportunities along
active transportation routes throughout the City.

Resources
Management Element
Objective 3.1.d - Greenbelt. Provide a greenbelt
around the corporate City Limits to function as a
buffer between agriculture and urban uses. The
greenbelt would vary in width, be landscaped
(forested) and provide a multiple use trail
throughout.

Quality of life
Opportunity
Objective 3.1.d calls for a greenbelt around the City, which provides opportunities for tree planting, and,
notably, opportunities for large trees. Collaboration
across City departments is needed to achieve this
objective. Tree planting within greenbelts should
be planned in coordination with the Recreation and
Parks Director and Urban Forest Manager.

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3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 16. CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS

GENERAL PLAN
Section Goal/Policy/Action
Urban Forest
Concept
Supported
SWOT
Resources
Management
Element
Implementation Programs:

Biological Resources

1. Draft and adopt an ordinance establishing the means to preserve “locally important” trees and identified plant and animal habitats.

2. Designate portions of the Santa Maria River, Orcutt Creek and other waterways as greenbelt areas whereby riparian habitats may be preserved.

5. Require street trees to be incorporated into the design and plans of new developments.

6. Preserve and maintain existing trees along and in public streets and parking lots.

7. Enforce the tree replacement standards contained in Chapter 44 of Title 12 of the Municipal Code.

8. Provide incentives to residents and businesses to plant “clean” trees which support the Biomass Pollution Shed Program.

9. Enforce the existing ordinance that requires developers of new buildings to plant trees and shrubs to improve energy efficiency and to preserve existing trees on building sites.

10. Require all new residential development to be annexed into a City Lighting and Landscape Maintenance District to ensure the continued maintenance of landscaping that benefits the public and the environment.

11. Require as conditions of development, where appropriate, the dedication and improvement of greenbelt rights-of-way.

Accomplishments to Date:

1. In 1993, the City revised its landscape standards contained in Chapter 44 of Title 12 of the Municipal Code.

2. In 1995, a revised street tree ordinance was adopted.

Anticipated Results:

1. Adoption of a preservation ordinance for locally important trees and habitats.

2. Expansion of the Santa Maria Urban Forest.

3. Establishment of greenbelt areas in the City, and in the unincorporated areas surrounding the City.

Tree protection/
preservation
Wildlife habitat
Strength/Opportunity

1. An ordinance to support identification
and protection of “locally important”
trees is in line with the goals of the
UFMP. Consider how “locally important”
trees differ from Heritage Trees.

Designation of such trees should
consider trees of a certain size,
species, age, etc.

2. Similar to the discussion above,
identifying opportunities for greenbelts
supports new tree plantings and
tree preservation. Establishment of
greenbelts must be coordination across
City departments and stakeholders.

5. Requirements for inclusion of
street trees in the design of new
developments are currently in place.
6 & 7. These implementation programs
support preservation of existing trees
and replacement of trees removed.

Any updates to the municipal code
regarding tree preservation and
replacement should be reflected here.

8. Consider incentive programs for
residents to encourage tree plantings.

Options may include a free tree
giveaway program, tree watering and
maintenance support (financial or
educational), tax credits, etc.
75 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 16. CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS

MULTIMODAL STREETSCAPE CONCEPT PLAN
Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Concept Plan
The Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Concept Plan (DMSCP) intends to create a technically, financially, and politically feasible concept for downtown roadways, building on the vision of “livable streets” outlined in the California Department of Transportation Main Street, California Guide.

The plan aims to enhance downtown streets as multimodal corridors that increase access and connections for all user types to key destinations throughout downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Section Goal/Policy/Action
Urban Forest
Concept
Supported
SWOT
Opportunities and
Constraints
Opportunities and
Constraints Assessment Placemaking
Opportunity
Objective 2.1.j encourages active transportation routes that are defined by trees and other infrastructure. Consider a requirement for a minimum number of trees along active transportation routes to achieve City canopy cover goals of at least 20% in design of active transportation routes to create safer, more appealing routes. Active transportation routes present opportunities to target a higher canopy cover percentage to offset lower canopy areas of the City. Additionally, shade provided by trees creates more appealing, safer, and higher use active transportation routes (Wolf 2010; Langenheim 2020). The City should identify tree planting opportunities along active transportation routes throughout the City.

Community
Engagement Pop-Up Events Placemaking
Opportunity

Based on feedback received during development of the DMSCP, community members highly value trees in the downtown area and outdoor public spaces. Improvements to the downtown area present opportunities for tree planting to improve the aesthetics and placemaking efforts of downtown, while also providing many co-benefits to the downtown area and community.

SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 76

3. STATUS OF THE URBAN FOREST
TABLE 16. CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS

GENERAL PLAN
Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Concept Plan
Section Goal/Policy/Action
Urban Forest
Concept
Supported
SWOT
Recommended
Streetscape Concept
Plan
Recommended Streetscape
Concept Plan – Main Street
and Broadway
Placemaking
Safety
Aesthetics
Strength/Opportunity
Street trees are included in the proposed street design concepts and noted for their contributions, including aesthetics, shade, character, and scale, as well as traffic calming effects. It is noted that the inclusion of curb extensions would allow for additional street trees to be planted. The City’s minimum 10-foot planter width, coupled with curb extensions, will allow for tree planting in downtown streetscape improvements.

Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi) Bradley Road, Santa Maria, CA

4. STRATEGIC PLAN
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 78

4. STRATEGIC PLAN
Santa Maria’s urban forest is a valued city asset that provides a resilient, diverse tree canopy that contributes to long-term environmental benefits, enhanced neighborhood character, appealing business corridors, and healthy and equitable communities that are connected to nature.

STRATEGIC PLAN
NO. GUIDING PRINCIPLE STRATEGY
1 A resilient urban forest Santa Maria will maintain a diverse urban forest that is climate-ready and resilient to pests and diseases.
2 Healthy communities with enhanced
neighborhood character
The urban forest will provide Santa Maria’s communities with mental and physical health benefits, urban beautification, and a connection to nature. 3 A valued city asset The urban forest will provide financial benefits to the City, and the City will provide adequate financial investment and staffing to sustainably manage the urban forest. 4 A community that appreciates trees
Engage Santa Maria’s community members in urban forest stewardship through educational and outreach efforts, so community members are aware of the benefits of trees, feel connected to nature in daily life in both urban and rural settings, and value trees on public and private property.
5 Plan for trees Trees will be included early in the planning process and provided adequate growing conditions to ensure mature, healthy trees.
6 Equitable and robust canopy Santa Maria’s canopy cover will be increased to 20% city-wide and will be equitably distributed.
7 Urban trees as a “forest” Santa Maria’s urban forest is recognized for its broad ecosystem benefits and cared for as a whole rather than simply as individual trees.
8 Risk reduction for the public and
the City
Santa Maria’s urban forest and associated infrastructure will be maintained to reduce risk, and responsibility will be clearly delineated.

VISION
79 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #1: A RESILIENT URBAN FOREST

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Santa Maria will
maintain a diverse
urban forest that is
climate-ready and
resilient to pests
and diseases.
1a Develop guidelines for pruning during the appropriate season for the subject species. Short
1b Ensure species diversity in development projects and landscape plans. Require review of tree planting palette by a certified arborist. Short 1c Adopt the Recommended Tree Species list developed as part of this UFMP and ensure its broad use across the City by all departments. Short 1d Encourage the use of native species when appropriate for benefits that include drought tolerance, disease resistance, and habitat for wildlife. Ongoing 1e
When planting new trees, ensure tree species are selected in consideration of "right tree, right place" concept to ensure trees are able to grow to maturity, including tree planting and spacing requirements, planter size requirements, and water requirements.

Short
1f Explore opportunities to manage trees throughout their entire life-cycle, from growing saplings, to tree planting, maintenance, removal and wood reuse. Consider developing a program(s) that supports this action, such as a City nursery or urban wood reuse program.

Medium
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 80

4. STRATEGIC PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #2: HEALTHY COMMUNITIES WITH ENHANCED

NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
The urban forest
will provide
Santa Maria’s
communities
with mental and
physical health
benefits, urban
beautification, and
a connection to
nature.
2a
Implement General Plan Objective 2.1j by identifying streets and active transportation routes where trees can be added. Develop a long-term planting strategy to achieve at least 20% canopy cover along active transportation routes.

Medium /
Long
2b Identify opportunities for new active transportation routes and plan for trees as routes are developed. Medium
2c
Continue to identify new street tree planting locations (including front yard right-of- way trees) and explore incentives to encourage community members to plant front yard trees, to achieve tree lined neighborhood streets.

Short
2d Develop a watering program for trees planted in front yard ROW to assist private property owners with the responsibility and/or costs. Short 2e Identify routes to schools, parks, and other neighborhood amenities where trees can be planted to increase shade, safety, and usability of such routes. Medium California Buckeye (Aesculus californicus) East Donovan Road, Santa Maria, CA 81 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #3: A VALUED CITY ASSET

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
The urban forest
will provide
financial benefits
to the City, and the
City will provide
adequate financial
investment
and staffing
to sustainably
manage the urban
forest.
3a Identify tree planting opportunities in commercial land uses to enhance commercial corridors and encourage profitable business corridors. Medium 3b
Develop a mechanism to ensure consistent funding for trees across City departments. Some options may include: fees, assessments, or taxes (e.g., development impact fees, bonds, special districts, etc.) as well as grant funding (see Appendix I for potential funding mechanisms).

Short
3c Establish requirements for permits for tree removal on both public and private property. Requires a commitment by the City for staff time. Short 3d Pursue grant funding to develop an urban wood reuse program Medium 3e Add a fee to the City’s Development Impact Fees that requires new development to contribute to the urban forestry program to fund new tree plantings and tree care. Short 3f Update the City’s tree ordinance to require payments directly to the urban forestry program for tree removal permits and fines. Short
3g Encouraging the use of native species that are drought tolerant and disease resistant. Ongoing
Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata) Paden Street, Santa Maria, CA SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 82

4. STRATEGIC PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #4: A COMMUNITY THAT APPRECIATES TREES

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Engage Santa
Maria’s community
members in urban
forest stewardship
through
educational and
outreach efforts,
so community
members are
aware of the
benefits of trees,
feel connected
to nature in daily
life in both urban
and rural settings,
and value trees on
public and private
property.
4a Conduct educational outreach and engagement throughout the community to increase the public’s appreciation for trees and knowledge of tree benefits. Ongoing 4b Establish new community outreach programs, such as “adopt a tree” or tree giveaway programs. Medium
4c
Maintain an ongoing volunteer-based Urban Forest Advisory Committee who provides oversight to the community outreach efforts and innovative ideas for trees.

Ongoing
4d Pursue partnerships with the Santa Maria-Bonita school district and conduct educational outreach/activities with elementary and high school students. Short 4e Develop educational materials that are bilingual, interpretive, and highly graphic based for outreach to children and families. Short
4f Engage non-profit organizations, community groups, service organizations, and volunteer groups in tree planting and tree care events. Ongoing 4g Utilize Santa Maria’s City newsletter and other media news outlets to engage the community. Short / Ongoing
4h Engage the Chamber of Commerce in the importance of trees by informing them of the urban forest’s financial value. Short / Ongoing
4i
Update city website and public facing resources to provide easily accessible educational materials and clear processes for requesting a tree, tree removal permits, requesting tree maintenance, and other tree related services and policies.

Short
4j
Explore opportunities to connect people with the food trees provide. For example, by planting fruit trees in communal spaces (e.g., community gardens or parks), celebrating existing fruit trees, or establishing a program for fruit sharing.

Medium
83 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #5: PLAN FOR TREES

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Trees will be
included early
in the planning
process and
provided adequate
growing conditions
to ensure mature,
healthy trees.
5a Update the Municipal Code according to recommendations made in this UFMP. Short
5b.

Explore creative solutions to preserve trees that are in conflict with existing infrastructure, rather than tree removal, as provided in Appendix F, Sidewalk Solutions.

Short
5c
Ensure collaboration across City divisions/departments that deal with trees and/or planning for new tree plantings. Establish a system for review and approval of all landscape plans and tree planting requirements/standards by the Director of Recreation and Parks (or appointee) and a certified arborist.

Short / Ongoing
5d
Adopt the Field Guide (prepared as a companion document to this UFMP) as city-wide standards for trees, including best practices for nursery selection, species selection, tree planting, establishment care, pruning, spacing, planter size that are used by all City departments. Annually review the Field Guide and update to reflect current best management practices.

Short
5e Encourage the use of trees in water-wise landscaping and establish a system for irrigating trees. Medium
5f
Seek opportunities to implement General Plan Objective C.4.a by identifying roadways where trees can be implemented in landscape buffers between heavily traveled roads.

Medium
5g
Collaborate across City departments to implement General Plan Objective

3.1 by establishing a greenbelt around the City and identifying tree planting opportunities.

Long
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 84

4. STRATEGIC PLAN

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Trees will be
included early
in the planning
process and
provided adequate
growing conditions
to ensure mature,
healthy trees.
5h Ensure trees are included in the planning process as the Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Concept Plan is implemented. Ongoing 5i
Modify the development plan review process to require submittal of an arborist report for all trees proposed for removal and protection, and review of the proposed landscape plan by a third party certified arborist. Landscape plans must identify tree species, planter size.

Short
5j
Establish a minimum canopy cover requirement for new development and redevelopment projects to be achieved through new tree plantings and maintaining existing trees. Canopy targets may be achieved over a given time period and vary by land use type (e.g., 15-20% canopy cover in residential land uses; 10-15% canopy cover in commercial and public land uses; 5-10% canopy cover in industrial and agricultural land uses; 20% canopy cover in parking lots).

Short
Seaward Drive, Santa Maria, CA
85 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #6: EQUITABLE AND ROBUST CANOPY

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Santa Maria’s canopy
cover will be increased
to 20% city-wide
and will be equitably
distributed.
6a Achieve a City-wide canopy cover of 20% by planting approximately 1,000 trees per year on public and private property over the next 40 years. Long 6b Ensure existing trees are maintained and protected by enforcing the tree protection ordinance and exploring alternative solutions to tree removal. Short 6c
Fill all readily available vacant planting sites (4,605 sites including vacant sites or stumps) by 2030. Prioritize filling vacant planting sites in areas lacking tree canopy based on Exhibit 14 of the UFMP.

Medium
6d Explore opportunities to plant trees in public spaces to create tree dense gathering spaces. Short / Ongoing
6e Prioritize planting new trees in areas lacking canopy, as depicted in Exhibit 14 Tree Planting Priority and Opportunity Areas. Ongoing 6f
Provide guidance on pruning best practices are followed by providing educational materials on proper pruning practices to tree trimmers, contractors and private property owners to avoid tree topping and extensive canopy reduction pruning.

Short
6g
Develop a system to monitor tree plantings and measure progress toward canopy cover goals. Consider an annual “state of the tree union” presentation, combined with Arbor Day or a fiscal year end to City Council.

Short / Ongoing
6h
Utilize the canopy analysis conducted as part of this UFMP (Appendix B) to prioritize park and school locations to increase canopy cover with new tree plantings.

Short
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 86

4. STRATEGIC PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #7: URBAN TREES AS A “FOREST”

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Santa Maria’s urban
forest is recognized for
its broad ecosystem
benefits and cared for
as a whole rather than
individual trees.
7a
Develop a heritage tree program to celebrate historic, large, interesting, or rare trees. Create an interactive map of heritage trees. Consider making this a standalone map that is added to the urban forestry website, and/or adding this to the existing “Historical Landmarks and Objects of Historical Merit” storymap.

Medium
7b
Identify locations, such as greenbelts, open space/parks, and riparian areas, where tree species may be selected in consideration of the habitat they provide for wildlife. Seek opportunities to Plant trees with companion plants, encouraging the use of native plants or ones with similar water requirements. For example, wintering monarchs require pocket groves with protection from the wind; birds/raptors require larger trees for nesting and hunting perches above grass- and shrublands. Consult a City- qualified biologist and arborist when making tree species selections for wildlife habitat.

Ongoing
7c
Consider working with local experts and organizations to create and maintain a city-managed grove for monarch wintering habitat. Consult with biologists/monarch experts on tree selection and habitat creation, such as the Xerces Society and utilize the latest science and research.

Long
7d
Develop procedures to ensure the enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act so pruning or removal of trees is conducted outside of bird nesting season to protect avian species that are likely to occur in Santa Maria.

Short
87 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
GUIDING PRINCIPLE #8: RISK REDUCTION FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE CITY

STRATEGY NUMBER ACTIONS TIMEFRAME
Santa Maria’s urban
forest and associated
infrastructure will be
maintained to reduce
risk, and responsibility
will be clearly
delineated.
8a Maintain existing trees on a 4-year assessment cycle, where trees are inspected by an ISA certified arborist to determine maintenance needs. Ongoing 8b
Update planting standards, specifications, and drawings to reflect ISA and ANSI standard practices by adopting the Field Guide developed as a companion document to this UFMP.

Short
8c Update tree condition ratings as work is performed on City trees. Ongoing 8d
Continue to enforce the City’s requirement for 10-foot planting easements in all new subdivisions and consider expanding this requirement to all new development and redevelopment throughout the City.

Short / Ongoing
8e
Develop a system for the public and City staff to report tree and infrastructure conflicts and prioritize trip and fall hazards or other public hazards for repair. Clearly define responsibility for repairs. Utilize Appendix F, Sidewalk Solutions, to identify potential sidewalk repair solutions.

Short
8f
Develop a system for coordinating tree cleanup efforts with the City’s emergency services following storm, fire, wind, or other events that affect trees.

Short
8g
Conduct field inspections of all vacant planting sites and “potential” planting sites identified in the tree inventory (4,605 vacant sites or stumps and 4,523 “potential” sites) to verify tree planting opportunities and identify site preparation needs (such as hardscape removal).

Medium
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Santa Maria, CA
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 88
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Santa Maria, CA

5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 90

5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: YEAR 1
No. Action
1c. Adopt the Recommended Tree Species list developed as part of this UFMP and ensure its broad use across the City by all departments.
3f. Update the City’s tree ordinance to require payments directly to the urban forestry program for tree removal permits and fines.
4e. Develop educational materials that are bilingual, interpretive, and highly graphic based for outreach to children and families.
4i. Update city website and public facing resources to provide educational materials and clear processes for requesting a tree, tree removal permits, requesting tree maintenance, and other tree related services and policies. 5d.

Adopt the Field Guide (prepared as a companion document to this UFMP) as city-wide standards for trees, including best practices for nursery selection, species selection, tree planting, establishment care, pruning, spacing, planter size that are used by all City departments. Annually review the Field Guide and update to reflect current best management practices.
5a. Update the Municipal Code according to recommendations made in this UFMP. 5i.

Modify the development plan review process to require submittal of an arborist report for all trees proposed for removal and protection, and review of the proposed landscape plan by a third party certified arborist. Landscape plans must identify tree species, planter size
91 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: YEAR 1
No. Action
5j.

Establish a minimum canopy cover requirement for new development and redevelopment projects to be achieved through new tree plantings and maintaining existing trees. Canopy targets should be based on potential tree canopy that would be achieved over time and based on total canopy capacity area (e.g., total parcel or lot size). Targets may vary by land use type (e.g., 15-20% canopy cover in residential land uses; 10-15% canopy cover in commercial and public land uses; 5-10% canopy cover in industrial and agricultural land uses; 20% canopy cover in parking lots). 6b. Ensure existing trees are maintained and protected by enforcing the tree protection ordinance and exploring alternative solutions to tree removal.
6e. Prioritize planting new trees in areas lacking canopy, as depicted in Exhibit 14 Tree Planting Priority and Opportunity Areas. 6f. Provide guidance on pruning best practices to tree trimmers, contractors, and private property owners to avoid tree topping and extensive canopy reduction pruning.
6h. Utilize the canopy analysis conducted as part of this UFMP (Appendix B) to prioritize park and school locations to increase canopy cover with new tree plantings.
8a. Maintain existing trees on a 4-year assessment cycle, where trees are inspected by an ISA certified arborist to determine maintenance needs.
8b. Update planting standards, specifications, and drawings to reflect ISA and ANSI standard practices by adopting the Field Guide developed as a companion document to this UFMP.
8d. Continue to enforce the City’s requirement for 10-foot planting easements in all new subdivisions and consider expanding this requirement to all new development and redevelopment throughout the City.

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5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: YEAR 1
No. Action
5c.

Ensure collaboration across City divisions/departments that deal with trees and/or planning for new tree plantings. Establish a system for review and approval of all landscape plans and tree planting requirements/standards by the Director of Recreation and Parks (or appointee) and a certified arborist.
4h. Engage the Chamber of Commerce in the importance of trees by informing them of the urban forest’s financial value. 4c. Maintain an ongoing volunteer-based Urban Forest Advisory Committee who provides oversight to the community outreach efforts and innovative ideas for trees.
4f. Engage non-profit organizations, community groups, service organizations, and volunteer groups in tree planting and tree care events.
93 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
SHORT TERM ACTIONS: 1-5 YEARS
No. Action
1a. Develop guidelines for pruning during the appropriate season for the subject species. 1b. Ensure species diversity in development projects and landscape plans. Require review of tree planting palette in proposed landscape plan by a certified arborist.
1d. Encourage the use of native species when appropriate for benefits that include drought tolerance, disease resistance, and habitat for wildlife.
1e. When planting new trees, ensure tree species are selected in consideration of "right tree, right place" concept to ensure trees are able to grow to maturity, including tree planting and spacing requirements, planter size requirements, and water requirements. 2c. Continue to identify new street tree planting locations (including front yard right-of-way trees) and explore incentives to encourage community members to plant front yard trees, to achieve tree lined neighborhood streets. 2d. Develop a watering program for trees planted in front yard ROW to assist private property owners with the responsibility and/or costs.
3b.

Develop a mechanism to ensure consistent funding for trees across City departments. Some options may include: fees, assessments, or taxes (e.g., development impact fees, bonds, special districts, etc.) as well as grant funding (see Appendix I for potential funding mechanisms).
3c. Establish requirements for permits for tree removal on both public and private property. Requires a commitment by the City for staff time.
3e. Add a fee to the City’s Development Impact Fees that requires new development to contribute to the urban forestry program to fund new tree plantings and tree care.

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5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
SHORT TERM ACTIONS: 1-5 YEARS
No. Action
4a. Conduct educational outreach and engagement throughout the community to increase the public’s appreciation for trees and knowledge of tree benefits
4d. Pursue partnerships with the Santa Maria-Bonita school district and conduct educational outreach/activities with elementary and high school students.
4g. Utilize Santa Maria’s City newsletter and other media news outlets to engage the community. 5b. Explore creative solutions to preserve trees that are in conflict with existing infrastructure, rather than tree removal, as provided in Appendix F, Sidewalk Solutions.
6d. Explore opportunities to plant trees in public spaces to create tree dense gathering spaces. 6g. Develop a system to monitor tree plantings and measure progress toward canopy cover goals. Consider an annual “state of the tree union” presentation, combined with Arbor Day or a fiscal year end to City Council. 7d. Develop procedures to ensure the enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act so pruning or removal of trees is conducted outside of bird nesting season to protect avian species that are likely to occur in Santa Maria. 8c. Update tree condition ratings as work is performed on City trees. 95 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
SHORT TERM ACTIONS: 1-5 YEARS
No. Action
8e.

Develop a system for the public and City staff to report tree and infrastructure conflicts and prioritize trip and fall hazards or other public hazards for repair. Clearly define responsibility for repairs. Utilize Appendix F, Sidewalk Solutions, to identify potential sidewalk repair solutions.
8f. Develop a system for coordinating tree cleanup efforts with the City’s emergency services following storm, fire, wind, or other events that affect trees.
5h. Ensure trees are included in the planning process as the Downtown Multimodal Streetscape Concept Plan is implemented. 7b.

Identify locations, such as greenbelts, open space/parks, and riparian areas, where tree species may be selected in consideration of the habitat they provide for wildlife. Seek opportunities to plant trees with companion plants to further create wildlife habitat and provide ecosystem benefits. For example, wintering monarchs require pocket groves with protection from the wind; birds/raptors require larger trees for nesting and hunting perches above grass- and shrublands. Consult a City-qualified biologist and arborist when making tree species selections for wildlife habitat.

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5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
MEDIUM TERM ACTIONS: 5-10 YEARS
No. Action
1f.

Explore opportunities to manage trees throughout their entire life-cycle, from growing saplings, to tree planting, maintenance, removal and wood reuse. Consider developing a program(s) that supports this action, such as a City nursery or urban wood reuse program.
2a. Implement General Plan Objective 2.1j by identifying streets and active transportation routes where trees can be added. Develop a long-term planting strategy to achieve at least 20% canopy cover along active transportation routes. 2b. Identify opportunities for new active transportation routes and plan for trees as routes are developed. 2e. Identify routes to schools, parks, and other neighborhood amenities where trees can be planted to increase shade, safety, and usability of such routes.
3a. Identify tree planting opportunities in commercial land uses to enhance commercial corridors and encourage profitable business corridors.
3d. Pursue grant funding to develop an urban wood reuse program. 4b. Establish new community outreach programs, such as “adopt a tree” or tree giveaway programs. 4j. Explore opportunities to connect people with the food trees provide. For example, by planting fruit trees in communal spaces (e.g., community gardens or parks), celebrating existing fruit trees, or establishing a program for fruit sharing. 97 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
MEDIUM TERM ACTIONS: 5-10 YEARS
No. Action
5e. Encourage the use of trees in water-wise landscaping and establish a system for irrigating trees. 5f. Seek opportunities to implement General Plan Objective C.4.a by identifying roadways where trees can be implemented in landscape buffers between heavily traveled roads.
6c. Fill all readily available vacant planting sites (4,605 sites including vacant sites or stumps) by 2030. Prioritize filling vacant planting sites in areas lacking tree canopy based on Exhibit 14 of the UFMP. 7a.

Develop a heritage tree program to celebrate historic, large, interesting, or rare trees. Create an interactive map of heritage trees. Consider making this a standalone map that is added to the urban forestry website, and/or adding this to the existing “Historical Landmarks and Objects of Historical Merit” storymap. 8g.

Conduct field inspections of all vacant planting sites and “potential” planting sites identified in the tree inventory (4,605 vacant sites or stumps and 4,523 “potential” sites) to verify tree planting opportunities and identify site preparation needs (such as hardscape removal).

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5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
LONG TERM ACTIONS: 10+ YEARS
No. Action
5g. Collaborate across City departments to implement General Plan Objective 3.1 by establishing a greenbelt around the City and identifying tree planting opportunities.
6a. Achieve a City-wide canopy cover of 20% by planting approximately 1,000 trees per year on public and private property over the next 40 years.
7c.

Consider working with local experts and organizations to create and maintain a city-managed grove for monarch wintering habitat. Consult with biologists/monarch experts on tree selection and habitat creation, such as the Xerces Society and utilize the latest science and research.

6. MONITORING PLAN
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6. MONITORING PLAN

6.1 Vibrant Cities Lab Assessment
The City can use the Vibrant Cities Lab Community
Assessment and Goal-Setting Tool to monitor the success of implementation of the UFMP. The tool is used as an
assessment to define the City’s current state and what the City would like to achieve. The user decides what the City’s current state of the metric is and then sets the goal metric.

Each metric is assigned a point value and the City is assigned a “Total Current Score” and a “Gap Score,” which represents the difference between the current state and the desired goal. A city that has a gap score between 20 and 40 is not far from achieving the goals of its urban forest program.

Conversely, gap scores of 40 or more indicate that a City is still implementing programs and policies to close the gap and develop a sustainable urban forest.

Santa Maria’s first assessment was conducted on March 9, 2023, by the urban forest supervisor and the consultant team.

Table 17 reflects the results from the first assessment, which set the baseline for the City’s Total Current Score at its pre- UFMP metrics.

Based on the first assessment, the City has a current
rating of 21, with a gap score of 71. The Vibrant Cities Lab Community Assessment and Goal Setting Tool should be
retaken each year to track, measure, and highlight progress.

The assessment can also be used to demonstrate successes and justify additional funding asks to City Council. Since the City first took the assessment, several of the responses that had significant gaps have already been achieved.

Santa Maria’s Vibrant
Cities Lab Assessment:

Score of 21
Gap score of 71
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA 101 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE 17. TREE CANOPY GOAL SUMMARY (1 OF 5)

CATEGORY CURRENT RATING GOAL RATING GAP
Canopy cover The existing canopy cover for entire
municipality is <50% of the desired canopy. -1
The existing canopy is >75%-100% of desired – at
individual neighborhood level as well as
overall municipality
4 5
Inventory Complete or sample-based inventory of
publicly owned trees. 1
Systematic comprehensive inventory system of
entire urban forest – with information tailored to
users and supported by mapping in municipality-
wide GIS system. Provides for change analysis.
4 3
Assessment
methodology
Low-resolution and/or point-based
sampling of canopy cover using aerial
photographs or satellite imagery, for
example i-Tree Canopy.
2 As described for “Better” rating – and all utilized
effectively to drive urban forest and green
infrastructure policy and practice municipality-
wide and at neighborhood or smaller management
level.
4 2
Publicly owned
trees
Complete tree inventory that includes
detailed tree condition ratings. 2 Complete GIS tree inventory that includes detailed tree condition and risk ratings. 4 2
Publicly owned
natural areas No information. -1 Level and type of public use documented. 2 3 Private property
trees No information. -1
Bottom-up sample based assessment, as well
as detailed UTC analysis of entire urban forest,
including private property, integrated into
municipality-wide [multi-agency] GIS system.

LIDAR and hyper-spectral imaging most helpful.
4 5
Relative
performance index
by species
Half of the six most common species have
higher RPI scores than the average of all
species in the community. (>1.)
2 All six most common species have higher RPI
scores than the average of all species in the
community. (>1.)
4 2
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6. MONITORING PLAN

CATEGORY CURRENT RATING GOAL RATING GAP
Use of native
vegetation
Voluntary use of native species on publicly
and privately owned lands; invasive species
are recognized.
1 Use of native species is encouraged on a project-
appropriate basis in all areas; invasive species are
recognized and discouraged on public and private
lands.
2 1
Align municipal
departments
Informal teams among departments and
agencies communicate regularly and
collaborate on a project-specific basis.
2 Municipal policy implemented by formal
interdepartmental/interagency working teams on
all municipal projects.
4 2
Engage residents
in planning and
implementation
Little or no citizen involvement or
neighborhood action. -1
Many active neighborhood groups engaged in
advancing urban forest goals, but with little or
no overall coordination with municipality or its
partnering NGOs.
2 3
Environmental
equity
Planting and outreach includes attention to
low canopy neighborhoods or areas. 1
Equitable planting and outreach at the
neighborhood level is guided by strong resident
involvement in low canopy/high need areas.

Residents participate actively in identifying needs
for their neighborhoods, planning, implementation
and monitoring.
4 3
Trees
acknowledged as
vital community
resource
Little or no citizen involvement or
neighborhood action. -1
Many active neighborhood groups engaged in
advancing urban forest goals, but with little or
no overall coordination with municipality or its
partnering NGOs.
2 3
Engage large
private landowners
and institutions
Large private landholders are generally
uninformed about urban forest issues and
opportunities.
-1
Municipality educates landowners, provides
technical assistance, sets goals and provides
incentives for managing resources in accordance
with plan.
1 2
TABLE 17. TREE CANOPY GOAL SUMMARY (2 OF 5)
103 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

CATEGORY CURRENT RATING GOAL RATING GAP
All utilities work
with municipality,
employ BMPS
Utilities employ best management
practices, recognize potential municipal
conflicts, and reach out to urban forest
managers on an ad hoc basis – and vice
versa.
2 Utilities are included in informal municipal teams
that communicate regularly and collaborate on a
project-specific basis.
3 1
Green industry
embraces goals,
high standards
Some cooperation among green industry as
well as general awareness and acceptance
of municipality-wide goals and objectives.
1 Shared vision and goals and extensive committed
partnerships in place. Solid adherence to high
professional standards, and commitment to
credentialing and continuing education.
4 3
Develop
Urban Forest
Management Plan
No urban forest management plan. -1
New or recent urban forest and green
infrastructure management plan which targets
public and private tree planting and protection
based on assessment of anticipated benefits – and
assures these benefits are distributed equitably
among neighborhoods.
4 5
Cooperative
planning
with other
municipalities
Some neighboring municipalities and
regional agencies share similar urban forest
policies and plans.
1 Some urban forest planning and cooperation
across municipalities and regional agencies. 2 1
Forestry plan
integrated into
other municipal
plans
Urban forestry planning team presents plan
to other agencies, encouraging them to
consider how forestry might help achieve
their objectives.
1 All agencies whose goals are served by urban
forestry practices, participate in creation of
forestry plan, and commit to designated roles and
responsibilities.
4 3
Urban forestry
program capacity
Team has capacity in terms of trained staff
and equipment to achieve many of the goals
of the urban forest management plan.
2 Team has no and will in the future to achieve
all goals of the urban forest management plan,
to maintain the resource over time, and adapt
management as circumstances change.
4 2
TABLE 17. TREE CANOPY GOAL SUMMARY (3 OF 5)
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6. MONITORING PLAN

CATEGORY CURRENT RATING GOAL RATING GAP
Municipality-wide
urban forestry
funding
Funding sufficient for some proactive
management based on urban forest
management plan.
2 Sustained, long-term funding from multiple
municipal, regional and/or state agencies,
along with private sources to implement a
comprehensive urban forest management plan, and
provide for maintenance and adaptive management
as circumstances change.
4 2
Growing site
suitability
Appropriate tree species are considered in
site selection. 2
All trees planted in sites with adequate soil quality
and quantity, and with sufficient growing space
and overall site conditions to achieve their genetic
potential and thus provide maximum ecosystem
services. Where growing conditions are poor,
guidance provided on how to improve soil volume,
quality, other factors
4 2
Tree
establishment and
maintenance
Planting and post-planting care and
maintenance protocols in place. 2
Comprehensive tree establishment plan provides
concrete guidance on most of the following
criteria: site selection, size, age class, diversity of species, native plant choice; planting protocols
[e.g. minimum soil volumes, soil conditions]; young
tree care, including region appropriate irrigation
requirements. Includes provisions and funding for
maintenance.
4 2
Management of
publicly-owned
natural areas
Only reactive management to facilitate
public use, e.g. hazard abatement, trail
maintenance.
1 Management plan for each publicly owned natural
area focused on sustaining and, where possible,
improving overall ecological integrity (i.e., structure and function) – while facilitating appropriate public
use.
4 3
TABLE 17. TREE CANOPY GOAL SUMMARY (4 OF 5)
105 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

CATEGORY CURRENT RATING GOAL RATING GAP
Policies that
foster good urban
forestry on private
lands
No tree protection ordinance, or one that’s
weak and rarely enforced. -1
Strong tree protection ordinance focused
on maintaining mature trees with effective
procedures.
1 2
Tree protection
policy and
enforcement
Policies in place to protect public trees
and employ industry best management
practices, but rare or inconsistent
enforcement.
1 Policies include construction standards for on-site
tree protection, establishment and maintenance.

Conforms to and references ANSI Standards for
arboricultural practices (A300),safety (Z133), and
nursery stock (Z60.1), as well as applicable ISA
BMPs.
3 2
Monitoring
Monitoring on a regular basis with
rotating schedule for each area. Monitors
are professionals or volunteers trained
to collect specific data required by
municipality. Multi-year data available for
trend analyses.
2 Monitoring on a regular basis with rotating
schedule for each area. Monitors are professionals
or volunteers trained to collect specific data
required by municipality. Multi-year data available
for trend analyses.
2 0
Tree risk
management
Citizens and city staff report tree safety
issues to the forestry department or
manager (e.g. 3-1-1 system, online form,
etc.). System tracks the time between
damage report and mitigation action.
1 Includes “better” but with TRAQ-qualified
contractors on city projects. Educate tree care
companies and public about importance of TRAQ
qualifications.
4 3
Urban wood and
green waste
utilization
While most green waste does not go to
landfill, uses are limited to chips or mulch. 1
The majority of green waste is reused or recycled
– for energy, products, and other purposes beyond
chips or mulch.
2 1
TABLE 17. TREE CANOPY GOAL SUMMARY (5 OF 5)
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6. MONITORING PLAN
FINAL SCORE - COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT & GOAL-SETTING:

TOTAL CURRENT
21 TOTAL GOAL
92 SCORE GAP
71 SECTION CURRENT GOAL
Measure Your Current Tree Canopy and Set Goals -1 4
Urban Forest Inventory & Assessment 3 8
Know What’s Happening to Trees in Your Community 0 10
Urban Forest Characteristics 3 6
Engaging Peers & Residents in Process 1 14
Creating Essential, Effective Public/Private Partnerships 2 8 Resources Management: Planning 1 10
Resources Management: Implementation 7 21
Resource Management: Monitoring and Maintenance 5 11

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 108

PREPARED BY
DUDEK – URBAN FORESTRY DIVISION
Ryan Allen, Project Manager
Dana Link-Herrera, Deputy Project Manager
Abby Beissinger, Urban Forester
Clarissa Boyajian, Urban Forester and Data Analyst
Kalie Ortiz, Urban Forester and Outreach Specialist
Jared Davis, Urban Forester

CITY OF SANTA MARIA RECREATION AND

PARKS DEPARTMENT
Scott Christian, Urban Forest Supervisor
Alejandro Gonzales, Urban Forest Technician
Casey Stone, Operations Manager
Dennis Smitherman, Recreation Services Manager
Angela Oslund, Assistant Director

CITY OF SANTA MARIA COUNCILMEMBERS
Gloria Soto
Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez
Alice Patino (Mayor)
Carlos Escobedo
Mike Cordero

UFMP WORKING GROUP/SANTA MARIA

URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Ann Batterson, Recreation and Park Commissioner
Rebecca Carey, Recreation and Park Commissioner
Robert Dickerson, Recreation and Park Commissioner
Kevin Small
Kathleen Sharum
Mary Jack
Zulema Aleman
Jeannie Sparks

COMMUNITY MEMBERS
PHOTOS
Trees of Santa Maria

FUNDING PROVIDED BY

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

AND FIRE PROTECTION
(CAL FIRE)

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

8. REFERENCES
SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN | 110

8. REFERENCES
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climatechange/summershade.cfm
City of San Luis Obispo. 2023. City of San Luis Obispo Community Forest Plan. April 4, 2023. https://www.slocity.org/home/ showpublisheddocument/34110/638180257639170000.

Clark, J.R., N.P. Matheny, G. Cross, and V. Wake. 1997. “A Model of Urban Forest Sustainability.” Journal of Arboriculture 23(1):

January 1997. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/rp_
urban_ecasustainability_model_clark.pdf
Hauer, R. and W. Peterson. 2016a. Municipal Tree Care and Management in the United States: A 2014 Urban &
Community Forestry Census of Tree Activities. Special
Publication 16-1, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Accessed March 3, 2021. https:// www.uwsp.edu/cnr/Documents/MTCUS%20-%20Forestry/
Municipal%202014%20Final%20Report.pdf.Langenheim,
Nano, Marcus White, Nigel Tapper, Stephen J. Livesley, Diego Ramirez-Lovering. 2020. Right tree, right place, right time:

A visual-functional design approach to select and place trees for optimal shade benefit to commuting pedestrians, Sustainable Cities and Society, Volume 52, https://doi. org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101816. https://www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S2210670719316130
McBride, J.R., and I. Lacan. 2018. “The Impact of Climate-Change Induced Temperature Increases on the Suitability of Street Tree Species in California (USA) Cities.” Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 34: 348–356.

OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment). 2018. CalEnviroScreen 3.0 [online software]. June 25,
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calenviroscreen-30.OEHHA. 2021. CalEnviroScreen

4.0. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard
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that%20causes%20climate%20change.

Richards, N.A. 1983. “Diversity and Stability in a Street Tree Population.” Urban Ecology 7(2): 159–171.

Tree City USA. 2019.

USFS (U.S. Forest Service). 2018. Urban Tree Canopy in California [map]. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/
FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd645759.html.

USFS. 2020. i-Tree Eco [online software]. https://www.itreetools. org/tools/i-tree-eco.

USDA. 2023. iTree. https://www.itreetools.org/about
Wolf, K.L. 2010. “Safe Streets.” College of the Environment, University 111 | SANTA MARIA URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
of Washington. Accessed January 28, 2021. https://depts. washington.edu/hhwb/Thm_SafeStreets.html.

Goss, M., D. Swain, J. Abatzoglou, A. Sarhadi, C. Kolden, P. Williams, and N. Diffenbauh, 2020. “Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme autumn wildfire conditions across California.” Environmental Research Letters. 15, 094016.

Griffin, D. and K.J. Anchukaitis. 2014. “How unusual is the 2012-2014 California drought?” Geophysical Research Letters. 41(24).

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REFERENCES
Australian Bottlebrush (Melaleuca citrina), Cypress Street, Santa Maria, CA Prepared by

Santa Maria City CouncilJune 4, 2024

Santa Maria City Council
June 4, 2024