Arborists have developed “best practices” for tree care, based on thousands of years of human cultivation of trees and on robust scientific studies. Municipal codes require that tree work follow standards established in ANSI A300, ANSI A300 and certified arborists follow these standards. Short, quick “learning” about healthy tree maintenance, from International Society of Arboriculture:
Throughout the San Diego region (and in all cities nationally), illegal tree maintenance goes undetected, unreported and unresolved. Penalties are not considered, imposed, or collected. The City has no code compliance officer with responsibilities and professional certifications for tree-related compliance
- Property owners and managers have an obligation to hire licensed contractors who follow industry standards and Federal, state and local laws and codes. The topping of trees by an unlicensed contractor is illegal, unethical and unprofessional action by property owners and managers.
- City code requires that trees in permitted developments be maintained in healthy condition. The public can report this code violation to the City departments and elected officials, and continually follow-up until action is taken. §142.0403 (b)
- Trees in street easements are to be maintained by the City, and permit required for any maintenance of street trees by businesses, §62.0604 , Removal of Planting Without Permit Prohibited,
- On about October 25, 2019, about 100 trees in the Ralphs grocery store parking lot, 6670 Montezuma Rd. San Diego, CA 92115, were illegally and unprofessional “topped.” This was done by an unlicensed contractor who was working for the property management contractor, who is under contract with Kroger Corporation. National standards (ANSI A300 for tree pruning) and City of San Diego code was violated. More photos in this Album
How to report code violations in the City of San Diego:
- Report problems with public trees, with the Get-it-Done app, see tab for Tree Maintenance for such problems as branch/tree down, visibility of traffic signs/signals, tree blocking street/sidewalk, dead/unstable trees, and other. Data from Get-it-Done
- Report code violations .
- Are there missing or topped or stunted trees in commercial parking lots in your community? Enter information in form Upload up to 5 photos. (new form so send suggestions to afege@aol.com)
Trees on residential and commercial property matter.
- The City’s Climate Action Plan commits to increasing tree canopy. At the very least, the City is obligated to protect the existing tree canopy, and one of the most cost-effective investments is the assurance that trees that planted on developments are maintained professionally and provide the shade and other benefits approved in their permits.
- Neighborhoods need more healthy trees in parking lots and other commercial areas, to provide shade for vehicles and shoppers, urban cooling instead of heat radiating from large asphalt areas, and carbon sequestration to reduce global climate change. San Diego’s residents and visitors are counting on this.
- Organized public advocacy can pressure on local property managers and Corporate owners to restore healthy trees (maintain properly and replace missing and dead trees) in parking lots throughout the County.
About 100 trees in the Ralphs grocery store parking lot, 6670 Montezuma Rd. San Diego, CA 92115, have been illegally and unprofessional “topped.” This was done by an unlicensed contractor who was working for the property management contractor, who is under contract with Kroger Corporation. National standards (ANSI A300 for tree pruning) and City of San Diego code was violated. More photos in this Album with some comparisons from GoogleEarth street view in 2018.
Photo of topped trees, Jack in the Box, 9380 Mira Mesa Blvd, 10/28/2019