by Steven Felsschundneff | steven@claremont-courier.com
A number of observant readers contacted the Courier this week after learning that Claremont had lost its Tree City USA status.
The recognition comes from the Arbor Day Foundation, which according to its website “has recognized green communities across America since 1976.”
To be designated Tree City USA, a community must maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day. It is also up to the city to reapply every year. The city continues to meet all four requirements and recently held its 2023 Arbor Day, according to Community Services Director Jeremy Swan.
For 2021, 3,652 cities were recognized, but Claremont wasn’t on the list because it hadn’t applied, according to Lauren Weyers, program operations manager at the foundation.
“Claremont did not complete a 2021 recognition application, so they were not recognized,” Weyers said. “They have completed an application for 2022 which is currently under review. If they meet the standards in 2022, they should be eligible for 2022 recognition within the next few weeks.”
Still, the revelation that Claremont has lost its status comes at a rather awkward time amid controversy over its recently released municipal forest audit, which called for the removal of thousands of mature trees.
After last year’s devastating storm, the City Council authorized West Coast Arborist to conduct an urban forest condition assessment to identify any trees that could potentially fall due to storm damage. West Coast Arborist also provided an overall assessment of the health of trees on Claremont’s city properties.
The mitigation plan identified Italian stone pine, red ironbark eucalyptus and Canarian pine as the most vulnerable to failure in the event of another storm. In addition, it was recommended that these three tree species be removed and replaced with other species over a period of five to ten years.
Some Courier readers have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest by asking West Coast Arborist to conduct an investigation if that company will benefit from tree felling. In response, the WCA, through the Department of Community Services, said the employees who conducted the audit are all certified arborists.
City of Claremont maintenance workers Richard Martinez, Victor Morales, Jessie Campos and Kyle Jennings clean eucalyptus branches along Forbes Avenue in Claremont on Tuesday. Since the epic storm swept through the area on Jan. 21, city crews have been sweeping through Claremont’s neighborhoods, removing fallen trees and other storm debris. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
“The assessment was also overseen and the final report prepared by WCA’s Plant Health Care Manager, who is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and an ISA Qualified Risk Assessor,” says Swan.
In response to public criticism of the audit and the recommendation that tree removal is the primary solution to problem trees, the Department of Community Services withdrew the plan from the March 1 agenda of the Community and Human Services Commission. Community Services staff will review WCA’s audit and resulting mitigation plan.
On Wednesday, Swan said his staff is still working on their WCA audit recommendations and should have an update next month.
“The city’s urban forest sits comfortably atop about 25,000 trees,” according to a Swan employee report. “A city forest of this size can be managed with the city’s current sources of funding and available areas. In recent years, the city has made great strides in developing best urban forest management practices, including but not limited to: switching from a 7- to 5-year cross-hatch cycle, removal of trellis, diversification of street trees, and responsible tree planting. With these improvements, the city’s urban forest is healthier and better equipped to conserve the natural environment of the urban community.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Municipal Services is currently shelving its spring 2023 reforestation program ahead of the hot summer months. Requests for new street trees will be accepted through Wednesday, March 29 for planting this spring. All requests received after this date will be scheduled for fall planting.
Residents living in sites where a tree was removed in the past year will automatically receive a letter offering a replacement tree. Anyone else can request a tree for their location, provided the proposed location is considered viable. A city official will review the site for adequate growing space, possible disruptions to utility lines, open to traffic, and verification of an adequate and consistent water source.
To request a new tree, contact Community Services Manager Cari Dillman at (909) 399-5431.
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