Tree Tips

FAQ’s Parkway Trees

The parkway is the area between the sidewalk and the street curb. Trees in the parkway are known as parkway trees or street trees.
Parkway trees are part of the Los Angeles Urban Forest. As public property, they benefit the entire community and are the shared responsibility of the City and the homeowner. When funding is available the Urban Forestry Division plants and prunes trees. In recent years Urban Forestry’s budget has been significantly cut. For example, the current time gap between tree trimmings is seventeen years. Additionally, many of Urban Forestry’s resources have been redeployed to underserved communities. However, Urban Forestry does respond promptly to fallen trees and large branches that block streets and create homeowner emergencies.
Homeowners are responsible for watering and maintaining their parkway trees once they have been planted. For planting and trimming trees, see below for how homeowners can take action on their own.
Yes!
There are two ways t plant a parkway tree.
Do It Yoursetf: follow our 5 Easy Steps to Plant Your Tree and How to Video
With the Green Team: Find out about our Community Tree Planting.
The City only allows certain tree species to be planted on the parkway. These species are climate resilient, drought tolerant, disease and pest resistant, and appropriately sized for each parkway.
A Permit to Plant from the Urban Forestry Division is required before a homeowner can plant a new parkway tree at their own expense. But first, check with the Green Team to determine if a tree planting is scheduled for your street.
If you decide to plant a parkway tree on your own, find the specified tree on the Holmby Westwood Tree PLan.
Parkway trees are city property and may not be removed or replaced without city permission. A tree removal permit from the Urban Forestry Division is required to remove a tree from the parkway at the homeowner's expense. Reasons for potential removal include
(1) a dead parkway tree
(2) a damaged sidewalk
(3) a curb, driveway, or sewer that cannot be repaired due to a tree
(4) driveway repair or installation prohibited by a tree.
Permits are not granted for removing trees that are still alive (i.e. if the tree has green leaves or needles). Once a removal request is made, an arborist from Urban Forestry inspects the site to make a final determination.
Step 1: Dial 800-996-2489 or visit MyLA311 to obtain a Service Request Number and Removal Permit
Step2: Complete application
Application for Tree Removal Permit
For more information call:
Urban Forestry Division 213-847-3077
Due to limited City funding and staff, parkway trees are currently on a seventeen year pruning cycle. A property owner may prune a street tree at their own expense by obtaining a “no-fee” pruning permit from the Urban Forestry Division as follows:
Step 1: Dial 800-996-2489 or visit MyLA311 to obtain a Service Request Number and applicaton for trimming
Step 2: Complete application
Urban Forestry Division 213-847-3077
Homeowners on the same block are also encouraged to consider joining together to hire a tree trimmer.
Only qualified arborists or tree trimming specialists should be hired to prune trees. A bad trim is worse than no trimming. Poorly made cuts can leave the tree vulnerable to infection or infestation, and excessive pruning can put a tree into shock. See our recommendations here.
To report dead or fallen trees, stumps, and tree-related emergencies, go to:
Dial 311 or (213) 473-3231
Urban Forestry 213-847-3077
Visit the MyLA311 Website to create a service request number
Download the MyLA311 app.
You will need to supply an address for the tree location.
As per L.A. code, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, curb, parkway, and driveway approach. The property owner may request a permit to trim the roots to facilitate the repair of the sidewalk if the tree can be left in a safe condition. This may also require pruning of the tree canopy to minimize wind resistance. The property owner performs the work at their expense. If the tree roots can not be safely pruned, the property owner may request a tree removal permit to be removed at their own expense and may be required to plant a replacement tree.
If you cannot afford to repair sidewalk damage due to tree roots, contact the Bureau of Street Services Request Section at (800) 996-2489 and request a small asphalt repair (SAR) for an off-grade sidewalk condition.

During the first month, newly planted trees need 15 gallons of water twice a week. First test the soil 4 inches down for moisture. If the soil is dry, water the tree. After the first month, give the tree 15 gallons every week.
Watering mature trees 1-2 times a month is a good practice, particularly in the winter and summer months.
This is especially true if the trees are well-established and require less frequent watering than newly planted trees. Adequate watering can help maintain the tree's health, promote proper growth, and prevent stress caused by drought or other environmental factors.
It's important to note that overwatering can also be harmful to trees, so it's recommended to check the soil moisture level before watering and adjust accordingly.
Trees clearly need to be trimmed when branches are damaged, diseased, deranged, or dead. Additionally, they require occasional thinning to protect them from the wind and shaping to enhance their growth. Generally, trees do not need annual trimming.
Never top a tree. Trees that have been topped appear disfigured and can rot from the inside out.
Because the Urban Forestry Division currently has a seventeen-year trim cycle, homeowners may need to do street tree trimming at their own expense.
There are 4 ways to obtain a permit:
Dial 311 or (213) 473-3231
Visit the MyLA311 Website to create a service request
Download the MyLA311 app.
Call Urban Forestry 213-847-3077
Only qualified arborists or tree-trimming specialists should be hired to prune trees. A bad trim is worse than no trimming. Do your research or contact the Green Team for recommendations.
Mulching helps and it can be free!
Mulch retains moisture in the soil, suppresses weeds, reduces water needs, and sustains the tree. Create a mulch “doughnut” around the tree base about a foot from the trunk and six inches high.
Free mulch is available from the City, Mon-Fri, between 7 am-5 pm at the Lopez Canyon Environmental Center at 11950 Lopez Canyon Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342. The site is self serve so bring a shovel and trash bags or empty garbage cans for the mulch.
You guessed it - artificial turf is not recommended for parkways with trees. It is basically plastic that eventually breaks down into microplastic particles. It prevents water from penetrating the soil and causes water runoff. It kills the bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the soil, affecting the food chain of our local animals, birds, and insects. It absorbs and radiates heat and emits toxins. And it retains dog waste and odors.
If you have artificial turf, ensure the edge is at least a foot away from the tree trunk, and hand water the tree at least monthly.
Yes, always water your parkway trees in drought conditions.
Trees are considered an essential part of the city's infrastructure and are a key element in our fight against climate change. Homeowner tree watering is exempt from City water restrictions. Trees will die without watering.
See the comment on watering above.

Newly planted tree Tags

The Green Team gives every parkway tree it plants a tree tag with care and maintenance instructions to help homeowners take care of their trees. Residents can name their new trees.