Dave Sandage is Palo Alto's Managing Arborist; he supervises the Public Works Department's Tree Section. Here are the questions he's most often asked--and most often answers. We hope this information saves you and him a phone call. If your tree question isn't answered here, let Canopy know and we'll try to get the answer for you.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

When will the City perform my tree work?

When you call the City Tree Section (650-496-5953) with tree concerns and an inspection is necessary, a work request will be entered into the system and a copy sent to the appropriate employee. It is the city’s goal to respond to requests by making an inspection within 10 working days. The tree section does not make appointments for inspections. The inspection enables the tree section to see the extent of the work that needs to be done, and judge the crew, equipment, and time needed for the job. The work is assigned a priority and in most cases a postcard reply will be sent to inform the resident of the inspection and approximately when the work will be done.

When the tree inspectors makes a visit they usually do not leave a note. They may speak to the homeowner if available. If not home they will send them a postcard, or in some cases contact by phone, to tell the resident which trimming priority has been assigned, or what needs to be done to the tree.

There are three work priorities after inspection:

• PRIORITY 1: City personnel will respond within 10 days. (Imminently dangerous conditions are responded to within an hour.)
• PRIORITY 2: City personnel will respond within 90 or 120 days (depending on workloads) In most cases the work is performed well before the time limit.
• PRIORITY 3: Routine maintenance – City personnel will do what needs to be done for the tree when they come through on their regular 6-year pruning cycle.

Most requests are assigned priority 2.

What can the City do to reduce the litter produced by the tree in front of my house? 

There’s not much that can be done about tree litter. Trees shade our houses and streets, and they shed leaves; the two are inseparable. Tree litter is a small price to pay for the many benefits trees offer.

A street tree's roots are ruining my lawn or garden; will the City take care of this? 

No. Surface roots are a natural result of a variety of factors. The City Tree Section does not prune roots. If you feel you have a surface root problem please call the City and they will inspect the situation. If anything can be done they will advise you on what is most effective for you and does the least amount of damage to the tree. A permit from the City is needed to cut any part of a City owned tree above or below ground.

A street tree's roots have broken my driveway or the sidewalk or are threatening my foundation; what can be done? 

If you have root damage to a driveway, walkway, or patio that you suspect is due to a city tree, and that you will be repairing, please call the City Tree Section (650-496-5953) and they will inspect and advise you on how to do the repair so it is most effective for you and does the least amount of damage to the tree.

As mentioned in the answer about root damage to lawns, the City does not repair root damage on private property. The City does repair public sidewalks. Repairs may include full removal and replacement, patching with asphalt or concrete grinding.

Driveway, sidewalk, and patio slabs are usually just four inches thick with some rock underneath. They are surprisingly vulnerable to root damage. If you’re putting in a new slab in the vicinity of a tree, install a plastic root barrier at the edge to protect the slab. Plastic is better than a concrete barrier because it won’t crack; all a root needs to penetrate concrete is a small crack.

Simply cutting the roots won’t work for long; the stub will sprout new roots under the slab. As the roots below a slab grow in diameter, they will lift the slab. The soil displaced by the growing roots has to go somewhere; the pressure exerted outward by a root is considerable.
The perimeter foundation under your house is deeper than driveway slabs and usually repels roots by acting as its own root barrier.

And remember that a permit is needed before you cut any roots on a city owned tree. Call the Tree Section at 650-496-5953.

Street trees are blocking the sun; how can I get more sun on my lawn? 

Most tree species cannot be thinned enough to affect the lawn without causing damage to the tree. Trees and grass are both plants and need light. You can’t have it both ways.

Contact the City Tree Section if you think your tree needs thinning. 650-496-5953.

What about sap drips on my walk or car? 

Some sap drips are seasonal, but often they are evidence of an insect problem; see the next question.

Will the City get rid of the insects infesting my street tree? 

If you suspect insect problems with your tree, call the City Tree Section (650-496-5953) to arrange for an inspection. If needed and possible, the City Tree Section will apply appropriate control measures, or arrange to have them done. However, relief may not be immediate. Some insects are only vulnerable at certain stages of their lives, and in other cases treatment may not be effective until the following season.

May I ask for a city tree to be planted in front of my house? 

You may request the City Tree Section plant a tree by calling 650-496-5953. The Tree Section will come out and inspect the site, taking into consideration factors such as site conditions and proximity of underground utilities and will make a determination if the site is suitable for a street tree. The City will also choose what kind of tree will be planted. The City Tree Section will plant the tree during their seasonal planting, or may have Canopy arrange for a neighborhood planting day.

Can I move or remove a City tree for a new driveway, walkway, utility, or streetlight? 

First, ask the City to evaluate the tree. The City removes trees that are dead, dying, or what they judge to be in a hazardous condition. If a City owned tree seems to be “in your way,” try rethinking your design; perhaps you can work around the tree – reverse the locations of the house and driveway, for example. In some cases, the City will allow you to remove a tree if you plant several others. However, don’t expect the City to be sympathetic to a trade unless you’ve exhausted the alternatives and have a serious issue. A large tree represents a significant investment and provides a canopy that several small trees won’t duplicate for many years.

My private or City-owned tree is growing into the overhead utility wires; will the City trim the tree? 

The City operates and maintains its own electric utility (also gas, water and wastewater). If you believe your own tree(s) and vines or the City’s tree(s) are growing into the overhead electric wires (usually the mid-level and upper wires), call the Tree Section at 650-496-5953 for an inspection. If vegetation needs to be cleared away from the electric wires as required by State law, arrangements will be made to have the City’s contractor do the clearing. There is no charge for this service.

Please note that the City will not clear telephone or cable TV wires as they do not belong to the City.

If you are planting a tree under or near overhead electric wires, please select a species that will not grow up into the wires. Contact the City Tree Section or Canopy for a list of suitable species for your situation.

Can I hire someone to work on a City-owned tree? 

Possibly, but only if you get a permit first. The permit is free; apply for one by calling the Tree Section at 650-496-5953. On the application you will be asked to explain why you want to prune the tree and give a detailed description of the work you propose to do. They will inspect the tree and may meet with your contractor to be sure the work is done in a way that doesn’t harm the tree. The City will not permit topping a tree or cutting its limbs back to bare stubs. It is a violation of municipal code to perform or have any work performed on a city owned tree without a permit.

My neighbor's tree is causing me problems; what can I do about it? 

Neighbor conflicts over private trees are unfortunately frequent. But they are not the City's business any more than conflicts over dogs or fences are. The law is not simple; five chapters of Neighbor Law (Cora Jordan, Nolo Press, 1994) are devoted to it. If a neighbor's tree is bothering you, first read this book; it's available at most library branches. It will not only describe the law, but encourage you to try hard to settle your dispute out of court. Taking a neighbor to court, even small claims court, is unneighborly. Don't damage your neighbor's tree; doing so may trade a minor tree problem for a major liability problem.