San Rafael Street Tree Program
Tree Selection | Adjacent Property Owner | Marin ReLeaf | Application | Seasonal Tree Care
General Information
Street tree programs are basically the same everywhere, with adjustment according to local conditions.
Adjacent property owners (APO) to the planting site will be expected to maintain the tree for the first three years, after which the City will resume responsibility. Tree Stewards can assume the duties for the APO.
Fifteen-gallon tree stock is easy for volunteers to work with, and research confirms that within a couple of years this size tree becomes equal in growth and development of larger stock. Planting will occur on Saturdays with an orientation for volunteers the preceeding Tuesday.
Tree Selection Guideline
- Trees are to be within the 50-food center line of the street.
- All underground and above ground utilities must be considered in the final selection in order to avoid future infrastructure conflicts.
- Only city-maintained streets will be considered.
- See this list for approved Street Trees for City of San Rafael
- For help in tree selection, you can visit the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute website. This site allows you to see photos of the trees, leaves and bark, as well as other attributes such as leaf color and insects. Once at this site, click Tree Selection by Name, either enter the tree’s botanical name if you know it, otherwise enter the common name, then click List Trees. Repeat this set of clicks for all of the trees you wish to examine.
The City Parks Department will have the final decision on location and tree species selection.
Responsibility of the Adjacent Property Owner
- The adjacent property owner will be in charge of the maintenance of the tree for the first three years, after which the City will assume the responsibility.
- Irrigate the site two to three days prior to installation making it easier to prepare the planting hole on planting day.
- Maintain the trees vitality by keeping the root zone moist during dry season.
- Check for disease, pests, or inordinate change in growth.
- Maintain the root zone directly above the root ball free of competing vegetation, debris and toxins.
- Keep the tree properly staked.
While the tree is free, we ask for a donation of $50 to help us pay for planting supplies (stakes, ties and mulch), and our services the three years.
Contractual obligations of Marin ReLeaf
- Work closely with the property owner to help select the species suitable for the location.
- Arrange for all necessary permits and inspections prior to planting
- Select the tree from the nursery that follows the standards for optimal street tree growth
- On planting day bring the tree to the site, provide stakes, ties and mulch.
- Provide volunteers to plant the tree in accordance with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards.
- Provide quarterly tree-care instructions via email to the property owner and Tree Steward.
- Provide quarterly tree inspections the first year.
- Provide annual inspections the second and third year.
Trees will be planted during the late fall-early winter season.
Tree Installation Application
The Tree Application can be filled out on-line and sent directly to us, or you may print the form and mail to our address. All applications must be received in our office by September 30. No exceptions.
Seasonal Tree Care
Your new tree needs special care during the winter. The sap is down in the roots by now providing the sugar needed for root growth.
Remove any leaves on the ground from deciduous trees (those that drop their leaves for winter) and put them into the green can for disposal. Do not put them in a plastic bag before putting them in the can! Decaying leaves may have insects or disease that can "over-winter" and cause problems next year. With proper disposal they will not clog our storm drains leading to contaminants in our bay and ocean.
Weeds growing over the root ball will suck up nutrients needed for growing roots. Remove them either by hand or with an herbicide. Pre-seed emergent are available from local nurseries or hardware stores. I prefer one called simply Weeder, not Preen, which has more fertilizer than pre-seeder. Afterward put down a thin layer of mulch, but keep it 3 inches away from the trunk, the area needed for gas exchange.
While at the store look for an item called a root feeder. It is a long stick with a storage area on top for the fertilizer and an attachment for a hose. Pick up a box of tablets specifically for trees and shrubs. If your tree was planted 2011, you will use this item in January, but no later than the beginning of March. If your tree was planted 2012, don't fertilize until 2014. Your tree was fertilized when it was planted.
Water bags should be lifted by now. If left on the tree the wind will rattle them around damaging the bark on the trunk. It is better to remove the bags completely and store them until about the end of March or middle of April. Keep the top of the root ball moist if there are several days without rain. Otherwise, don't water your tree if the ground appears wet.