1	NEW IDEAS FOR SIDEWALK MANAGEMENT IN LOS ANGELES
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7	History of Sidewalk Repair in the City of Los Angeles
8	Program Objectives To provide a safe, acceptable walking surface for pedestrians. To decrease the City’s exposure to liability. To maintain a healthy, safe and sustainable urban forest.
9	Program Goals To retain as many large mature desirable trees, as possible, while repairing damaged sidewalks and streets. Ensure potential alternative options have been explored prior to tree removal. Modify planting site to provide the largest rooting area feasible. On streets where many trees will be removed, implement tree removal in phases to enable continued canopy coverage.
10	Program Goals Replant those street tree sites where existing trees cannot be safely retained. Plant in all surrounding vacant planting sites. To ensure that all trees planted are the largest species appropriate for the site. Include the residents in the review process of alternative options/tree removals. Promote urban forest education and foster neighborhood involvement.
11	Program Overview 52 Street Tree Division Support
12	Program Overview Completed 324 miles of sidewalk. Approximately 20,600 trees were impacted. Approximately 11,600 trees were root pruned. Alternatives sidewalk repair options were used adjacent to about 9,000 trees. Approximately 910 trees were removed. Approximately 7,500 trees were planted.
13	Benefits of Preserving the Urban Forests Psychological and physical benefits Recreation Wildlife habitat Aesthetics Increase neighborhood pride Creates a sense of place Reduces noise levels Energy Conservation Environmental Economic
14	Energy Conservation Benefits
15	"Filter water entering waterways/aquifers" Filter water entering waterways/aquifers.
16	Improves Water Quality Stormwater Control
17	"Increase Property Values" Increase Property Values
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19	"Trees Revitalize Business Districts" Trees Revitalize Business Districts.
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21	Trees are the only infrastructure element that increases in value over time.
22	Psychological Benefits
23	YEAH BUT… I HAVE A TREE PROBLEM!!!
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25	Tree Evaluation Grade all trees into one of five classes:
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27	"Healthy trees that have exceptional..." Healthy trees that have exceptional historical, aesthetic and/or environmental qualities and are structurally stable.
28	"Tree is healthy" Tree is healthy, structurally stable and has a useful lifespan over of 5 years.
29	"Tree is declining" Tree is declining, is creating extensive structural damage, improper species/size for the site.
30	"Tree is declining" Tree is declining, is structurally unsound, has a high failure potential and is senescent.
31	"Tree is dead" Tree is dead.
32	Three Options for Dealing with the Trees Tree Preservation Minimize the impact on the trees’ growing environment. Do not cut roots Do not compact soils Do not change drainage or grade within tree root zone. Tree Retention Limit the amount of root pruning. Implement sidewalk construction options. 3. Tree Removal Last Resort
33	Prior to Root Pruning Trees are pruned to provide: Crown Cleaning Crown Thinning Crown Raising Crown Reduction
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38	Root Pruning Comes at a Price Trees may experience branch dieback. Potential for instability. May impact future growth rate. May increase root regrowth. Trees may be more susceptible to drought conditions/insect and disease/decay or environmental stress.
39	Post Root Prune Evaluation Root pruned trees are re-evaluated at: 6 months 18 months 40 months 78 months (Depending on available funds)
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54	Standard Specifications Standard specifications for the various sidewalk repair options currently do not exist in the industry. The City of Los Angeles has developed its own standard specifications to efficiently implement sidewalk repair options.
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57	Tree Removal All tree removals must be approved by the Board of Public Works. Trees are posted for at least 30 days. Tree removals may be challenged at public hearings.
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59	Tree Hazard Evaluation Perform tree evaluation utilizing the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Hazard Evaluation Form to assess the tree’s failure potential.
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61	Tree Removal To avoid drastic canopy loss on neighborhood streets, the goal is to remove no more than 20 percent of the trees in one year. Avoid removing trees from three consecutive residences in one year.
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69	Groups Opposed to Tree Removal Audubon Society Western Field Ornithologists Sierra Club Heal the Bay Friends of the Los Angeles River
70	Regulatory Groups California Fish and Game U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service California Coastal Commission
71	Laws Protecting the Birds California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorically exempt, repair, maintenance or alteration to existing highway, street or sidewalk.
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80	Conclusions Protect your City’s investment in its Urban Forest.
81	For Further Information
82	For Further Information
83	Presented By: