City of Albany, CA
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Albany’s Urban Forest
Albany strives towards being a green city. Trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants are a big part of that. As well as the trees and plants on your property, Albany has approximately 6,000 publicly-owned trees along our streets, in our parks and other public spaces.
- Individuals, blocks, and neighborhoods can have a great impact on Albany's Urban Forest by applying to have new street trees planted.
- Construction and remodeling projects generally require owners to apply to have a street tree planted as part of the project completion.
- Anytime a street tree is removed, at least one new tree is required to be planted (exceptions may occur).
The Benefits of Trees
Trees are good for communities in many ways. Trees beautify neighborhoods and increase property values. During the summer, they promote energy savings through shading. During the winter, leaves and tree basins intercept wind and water run-off and limit flooding. In addition, trees reduce noise pollution, create privacy, furnish homes for birds, supply fresh air and offset the impacts of car exhaust. Carbon sequestering in trees helps to lower the effects of global warming.
Plant a tree today!
Individual property owners can apply to have a street tree planted by the City in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property
Street tree planting is now FREE for residents! Fees for planting will be covered by the City as per Resolution No. 2021-102.
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Review the Accepted Street Tree List and pick out a tree. Research the tree species you are requesting. Consider the mature size of the tree, water and other maintenance requirements. Look around your neighborhood to see which species are doing well and seem appropriate for the space you have. You can consult the City's Urban Forester regarding a proper species and location.
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Be sure you have a location suitable for street tree planting or creation of a tree basin. It needs to be clear of trees or other landscape plants and materials. Pavers, rocks, etc. will need to be removed by the property owner. If you have an existing tree, live or dead, you will first need to apply for street tree removal before your application can be accepted. Consider where car doors open as well, since we don't want doors banging into new trees or passenger having to step into a tree basin when exiting a vehicle. Locations within 3' of utilities or driveways, 5' of a fire hydrant, 15' egress or 25' ingress of an intersection, or locations that already have a tree or other plantings may be rejected.
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Complete the Street Tree Planting Application and mail to: Albany Public Works, 540 Cleveland Ave. Albany, CA 94710. Alternately, you can complete the form on your computer, then 'Save as' using your address as the file name and email it as an attachment to Urban Forestry.
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Fees for street tree planting, including concrete removal to create a tree basin, have been waived as per Resolution No. 2021-102.
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The City will have the tree(s) planted during the proper season and when availability allows. Trees are ordered from a nursery and planted by a tree care contractor on a project basis.
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NOTE: Street Tree Planting applications received after October 31st will be considered for the current season's planting project but may need to be added to the next season's planting list.
Once your new Street Tree is planted you agree to:
- Water the tree according to the instructions provided by the City.
- Keep the tree basin free of weeds and well mulched.
- Request training, pruning or re-staking of young trees by using our online service request form.
- Understand the liability issues with trees (Albany Municipal Code 14-1.4 : Trees).
In turn, the City will handle pruning and care of the young street tree.
Mature trees are pruned as needed with priority given to emergency and other urgent pruning. This includes pruning for street and pedestrian clearances and visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.