Welcome to the City of Grand Terrace Tree Program
Discover how trees enhance our community’s beauty, health, and sustainability. Learn about planting, maintenance, and care guidelines, and your role in preserving our urban forest.
Benefits of Street and Parkway Trees
- Improved Air and Water Quality
- Shade and Cooling
- Increased Property Value
- Enhanced Neighborhood Beauty
Resident Responsibilities for Parkway Trees
As a property owner, you play a vital role in maintaining parkway trees:
- Watering: Keep trees hydrated regularly.
- Cleanup: Remove leaves, seeds, and debris to maintain clear sidewalks.
- Report Hazards: Notify the Public Works Department about damaged or hazardous trees.
Approved Tree Planting & Maintenance Guidelines
- Only trees from the Approved Tree List can be planted.
- Planting in the city’s public right-of-way requires an encroachment permit (no cost).
- Ensure minimum clearances:
- 8 feet above sidewalks
- 15 feet above streets
Prohibited Actions:
- Unauthorized tree removal or pruning.
- Paving parkways.
- Planting without prior city approval.
How the City Supports You
The City of Grand Terrace is committed to maintaining a thriving urban forest:
- Tree Planting: If funding is available, residents may choose two trees from the residential approved tree list. After completing an Agreement for Tree Planting in the Public Right-of-Way, the City will plant one tree in the resident’s City right-of-way, if there is currently no tree in the right-of-way. Please submit the completed agreements to [email protected].
- Tree Pruning and Removal by Residents: City trees are pruned on a five-year cycle, but residents may opt to prune or remove trees sooner for aesthetic purposes, at their own expense, by completing a Pruning or Removal of a City Tree by Property Owner Agreement. This work must be guided by a licensed landscaper or arborist. Residents agree to cover all associated costs, including labor, equipment, and disposal fees, and accept full liability for any damage or injury caused, including to public property. If work is improperly performed, residents are responsible for the cost of corrective actions by the City.
- Tree Replacement: For every tree removed, we plant two new trees in high-priority areas.
- Hazard Management: Removing trees that are diseased, hazardous, or damaging infrastructure.
Key Tree Policies
- Tree Removal: Homeowners must obtain a no-cost permit for approved removal. Replacement is required within 60 days.
- Groundcover Guidelines: Use approved vegetation or rocks under 12 inches in height for parkways.
- Tree Maintenance: Pruning outside city schedules requires a permit and must be done by licensed professionals.
FAQs
Q: Can I plant a fruit tree in the parkway?
A: No, fruit trees are not permitted in public right-of-way areas.
Q: What should I do if a tree near my property is hazardous?
A: Report the issue to the Public Works Department for evaluation at Report a Concern.
Q: Can I remove a volunteer or palm tree on my parkway?
A: Yes, but only with a no-cost Agreement for Tree Pruning and Removal, handled by a licensed professional.
Contact Us
For questions about tree planting, permits, or reporting hazards, reach out to Public Works at 909-954-5195.