Tree Removals / Pruning?

PERMITS ARE NEEDED BEFORE TREE REMOVALS, PRUNING, OR PLANTING

A permit is required for:

Removal or pruning of any street trees in parkways (in the street "right of way" - usually between the curb and sidewalk).

Planting trees in the parkway.

Removal of a “protected tree” anywhere on private property in Los Angeles City, pursuant to the LA City Protected Tree Ordinance which includes the following protected California native species:
- Oak trees – All oak species indigenous to Southern California (excluding scrub oak). There are about 2 dozen oak species indigenous to SoCal. Quercus species (Oaks) have acorns, which is one common identifier. The most prevalent oak in the Palisades is Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak), which can be seen in our parks and in the Santa Monica Mountains, but there are other oak species here too.
- Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
- California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica)
- Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica)
- Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)
- Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

All of Pacific Palisades is in the City of Los Angeles, including Santa Monica Canyon and Rustic Canyon, Paul Revere Charter Middle School, the Polo Fields and Riviera neighborhoods, the Highlands, most of Castlellammare (partly in LA County), and everywhere in between.

IDENTIFICATION

Trees may be identified by:

Entering the tree's characteristics into the selectree.calpoly.edu website, and matching the photos of the trees with those characteristics.

Taking a photo of the tree with a tree identification app (such as Seek by iNaturalist, or PictureThis-Plant Identifier).

Consulting the book A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us by Matt Ritter.

FORMS:

Find online information and permit forms for tree removal and pruning (roots or limbs) on the streetsla.lacity.org website > Divisions > Urban Forestry > Resources.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A TREE AT RISK OF BEING CUT DOWN OR IMPROPERLY PRUNED

QUESTIONS:

Where is it - public or private property? A street tree in the parkway or on private property? What city or county? Pacific Palisades is in Los Angeles City (except for a small part of western Castellammare in LA County).
What tree species? Is it one of the native trees listed in the LA City Protected Tree Ordinance? (See list above).
Is there a real health issue with the tree? Or is it just naturally deciduous, or a big mature tree, or just needs some attention?

TAKE ACTION - ESCALATING OPTIONS:

These action options depend on whether it’s just a threat of removal or if you see the tree being removed now.

Talk to the contractor or owner. Be respectful and neighborly.
Ask to see the removal permit. Read it to be sure it’s a recent permit from Urban Forestry Division (UFD) of StreetsLA (fka Bureau of Street Services) for this specific tree at this address.
If it’s being cut down right now, and no one can show you a valid permit, call LAPD from the tree site:
- LA Police Department non-emergency phone line (877) 275-5273 (877-ask-lapd).
- West LA Station Desk (310) 444-0702.
- Senior Lead Officer (SLO) for Pacific Palisades, Brian Espin, email at 37430@lapd.online or his desk phone (310) 444-0737.
Create a “service request” on MyLA311 app for a tree health inspection by UFD and ask if a permit has been issued. Or call 311. Send a copy of your service request confirmation number to our Field Representative at LA City Councilmember Traci Park’s office (Arus Grigoryan at arus.grigoryan@lacity.org) for follow up.
Organize your neighbors and community. Reach out to some of the following: your neighbors, homeowners association, Palisades Forestry Committee, and/or City Council District 11 Councilmember Traci Park’s office.
Write to the city and testify at the developer/owner’s hearing for permits.

We look forward to hearing your questions, comments, and your interest.

Please feel free to contact the Palisades Forestry Committee at:

palisadesforestry@gmail.com

Please include your:

Full name
Street name
Email address
Your message about a removal or pruning, and the tree's address.

You may also use the Contact Us tab in this website.

The Palisades Forestry Committee is excited to work with you to improve

the quality of life in our community by protecting trees!