Frequently Asked Questions
If you have general questions about street or island trees, please let us know.

Reach us at board@sanmateopark.org

 

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If I pay for it, may I plant whatever tree I like in my sidewalk strip?

The short answer is sorry, but no. Planting (as well as removing or pruning) a tree in the public right of way (aka sidewalk) requires a permit from the City. The Park has a master
plan for our street and island trees which was developed specifically to perpetuate the species and the feel of The Park’s original landscape.

 

Whether the City provides one for free or you purchase your own ‘sidewalk’
tree, the City will issue a permit only for the type of tree designated in this
master plan. (For more about this plan and maps showing the type of tree designated for
each block and island here, please return to the Home page and click on
Trees & Islands.)

The neighborly thing to do: please don’t go ahead anyway and plant a ‘non-
conforming’ tree in your sidewalk. The long-standing, long-term neighborhood aim is to fully restore the cohesive stands of trees that originally lined our streets: and we need everyone’s help! If neighbors plant random types of street trees here and there, that goal is undermined.

 

The good news! You are free to plant flowers or shrubs, as you like, in the
sidewalk strip so long as you do not block the path for pedestrians in this
right of way area. This is a great way to put your personal stamp on your street curb front.

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What might be going on with my street (or private) tree?

 

Do my street trees need water?

• If the leaves on your street tree are limp or starting to turn brown, the tree needs immediate water.

• A new tree is like a potted plant: if the top inch or two of the soil around the tree is dry and hard, it’s time to water.

• A good watering program is an investment that more than pays off in trees that grow more quickly, develop good form, and increase property values.

 

Watering Methods:  

• Leave a hose running slowly enough that water does not run away from tree — for about 45 minutes.

• Attach a hose to a probe (these are inexpensive and readily available at Home Depot and elsewhere) and water in a few places around the drip line of the tree.

• Build a berm of dirt around the tree and fill the well with water 3x until each fill of water drains.

 

I suspect my big oak tree is sick. It is dropping a lot of green leaves. What do I do? 
 

Oaks do experience infestation by cynipid gall wasps. – some years more heavily than others.  They can be found attached to the underside of the leaves and eventually — as they progress through their life cycle — they cause those leaves to fall.  In years with a major infestation, we’ll notice an unusual amount of leaf fall from our oaks. The good news is these gall wasps do not cause long-term harm to oaks and become beneficial in that they dine on whitefly, aphids.  So arborists may not recommend spraying to eradicate them.  If an oak is majorly denuded of its leaves, fertilizer at the appropriate time to encourage leaf regrowth might be warranted.

Note: We are not arborists, and although this input comes from such licensed pros, it is not a diagnosis.  When in doubt it is prudent to arrange a consult with one.