Redlands Trees in Public Areas

Redlands' trees are now on the Internet. Ron Mutter, Director of Public Works at the City of Redlands, has spearheaded a new section of the City website, with complete information about trees that are approved for use in public areas of Redlands. The site gives you all the information you need to select a new tree for your yard or identify trees in your area, and is a great resource for student reports.

The City of Redlands, named as Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Association for the past seven years, as a result of our dedication to a healthy and viable urban forest, maintains over 60,000 city-owned street and park trees. The City has an approved list of trees for use along streets and in parks.

General information about the City's ornamental and palms trees is listed in grid format with their botanical and common names, height and canopy spread at maturity, parkway width minimums and speed of growth. Additional specific information is available on each tree including color photography of mature trees, leaves, bark, flowers and fruit. The site also provides links to websites with extensive information about trees. The Cal Poly Selectree for California website allows you to search for trees with particular attributes.

Permits are required before you plant, prune or remove a tree in a public area.

Trees, planted in the 5 or 6 foot wide "parkway" strip next to public streets, belong to the City. The application for a permit, called the "Public Tree Encroachment Permit Application" is available for download from the Street Trees section of the website, or available at the Public Works offices. Citizens who voluntarily wish to plant, prune or remove public trees subject to the City’s approval are not charged a permit fee.

Find the Approved List of Trees by going to Street Trees at the Public Works area of the City of Redlands website at www.ci.Redlands.ca.us.

This article will as lo appear in the Mad About Redlands, Fall 2004.