Public Public Works Recaps State of Urban Forestry Before City Commission: 300 New Trees to Be planted Across Pasadena in 2023

Pasadena’s Public Works Department will report on the status of the city’s urban forest before the Northwest Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 10, starting at 6:30 p.m.

A preliminary report by Public Works Administrator Eric Mirzaian said the presentation prepared by the Department’s Urban Forestry Section will include an update on Capital Improvement Program and maintenance projects.

It will also include the current state of the urban forest distribution in Pasadena, recent tree plantings in the Northwest area, current tree maintenance practices and the tree planting program of the city.

The update will mention how the Public Works Department manages sidewalk repair when damage is caused by growing trees or tree roots, the report said.

Throughout the Northwest Pasadena area, up to 85 trees were planted in fiscal year 2022. Projected this year is a total of 35 trees to be planted there. All across Pasadena, 300 trees are planned to be planted in 2023.

Planting projects are prioritized based on requests received through the Citizen Service Center. Requests are also inspected for planting viability, such as when the activity could impact public utility lines or would have landscaping impacts.

As far as sidewalk repair calls due to street trees, the Pasadena Municipal Code says the owner is responsible for any permanent repairs or damaged sidewalk along the property frontage. A reimbursement program for such repairs is available through the city, the report said. To learn more about this program, visit:

https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-works/street-maintenance-waste-management/streets-sidewalks.

The report will also include updates on the Amigos De Los Rios tree plantings, and on a City Tree Watering Study, for which a contract was awarded in December and could be completed in the first quarter.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Northwest Commission will be in person at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, at 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadena.