San Rafael Street Tree Program
Tree Selection | Adjacent Property Owner | Marin ReLeaf | Application
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.