Our Public Trees

City street trees in the public right-of-way

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

PLANTING 

The City provides and plants the trees in our ‘sidewalk’ areas, for free.   What type of tree is planted conforms to the master planting plan for The Park, developed in collaboration between the City and SMPNA.  (Please see the opening of this website’s Trees & Islands section for more background about this, as well as maps showing what trees will be planted, where.)  Fyi, homeowners may not plant in the ‘sidewalk’ area (the public right-of-way) without a permit.

SMPNA does look to identify open spaces along our streets that could be appropriate planting locations.   If we see these, we contact homeowners at those locations to determine their interest in having the City plant the designated species in their sidewalk area.  No one must have street trees in front of their home, but tree-lined streets are an important element of The Park’s and our homes’ appeal, so we hope neighbors will host them!

If you have a spot where you’d like to see a street tree, please get in touch: board@sanmateopark.org.

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WATERING

The City provides water support during the dry season for street and island trees for their first two years after planting.  That’s enough to keep these trees alive, but likely not enough for them to thrive and reach their best form. 

• Homeowners are expected to supplement water for their street trees as well.

  • How to tell whether your street tree needs water?  Please see the first entry in our Q&A.

• SMPNA arranges and funds water supplements for our island trees for their first 3 – 5 years., thanks to our members’ generous contributions.

MAINTENANCE 

Please refer to the tab, “Maintaining Public Trees” in this Trees &Islands section of our website.

REMOVAL 

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Age, drought or disease will cause some of our trees to fail.  SMPNA maintains a list with the City of dead street and island trees.  If they are not an imminent hazard, the City removes these trees in batches under citywide contracts, which often results in some delay. Typically, stumps are not taken out until just before replacement trees are planted.

 If you have a dead street tree, let us know:  we will make sure it is on the City’s list.  Or, you can request an inspection by the City’s arborist:  theartquist@cityofsanmateo.org or 650-522-7420.

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