Winter/Spring 2019 NapaRecWinterSpring2019 Final Web | Page 50

Guide City of Napa Urban Forestry Program The City of Napa has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a “Tree City USA” for the past 29 years. The City has strived to maintain this honor through its tree preservation, maintenance, and planting programs. There are a number of ordinances that regulate the care of both public and private trees. The Department works with the Tree Advisory Commission to update and manage this program. STREET TREES A street tree is any tree growing within the public right-of-way. Generally, they fall into one of these categories: • They are located in the planting area between the sidewalk and street • They are within ten feet of the curb • They may be located adjacent to the road in areas where curbs and sidewalks do not exist. 50 Street trees are protected by ordinance and are considered public property. The maintenance, removal, and planting of street trees is the responsibility of the City. The City does not prune for aesthetic purposes, but instead prunes for street and sidewalk clearance, removing dead, weak, or hazardous limbs. Pruning may be performed by the property owner with a permit from the Parks & Recreation Services Department. Contact our department to verify if you have a street tree. PROTECTED NATIVE TREES Protected native trees are specific species of trees located on private property that fall into one of these categories: • Property one acre in size or larger zoned for residential or agricultural purposes • Located on property zoned for commercial or industrial purposes. In establishing this protection of specified trees, it is the City’s intent to promote a healthy urban forest that contributes to clean air, soil conservation, energy conservation, scenic beauty, enhanced property values, and a quality of life ensuring that Napa will continue to be a desirable place to live and work. Section 12.45 12.45 of the municipal code regulates protective native trees. SIGNIFICANT TREES The Significant Tree Program was created to both honor and protect trees of historic significance, that are unique or rare specimens, that possess unique physical characteristics, are Napa Valley natives, or trees with special or unique habitat value. Significant trees are regulated under section 12.45 of the municipal code. Currently there are over 45 entries on the Registry of Significant Trees within the City of Napa. For information on nominating a tree please contact us. For more information on any of these programs, please contact us: 1. Call the Parks & Recreation Services office at 707-257-9529 2. Enter your request through our online service center at www.cityofnapa.org 3. Download applications from the tree page on the City website at www.cityofnapa.org/parksandrec