The City of Woodland recently adopted new education requirements related to some large trees on residential properties with the goal of preventing unnecessary tree removal. These new requirements are part of the updated Tree Ordinance and will protect and grow Woodland’s tree canopy as well as improve energy savings, air quality, carbon dioxide emissions, and more.

The updated ordinance requires property owners to submit a Tree Modification Review Form along with bids from a company if they want to remove trees on their property or conduct trimming, pruning, cabling, or any other similar act on branches over 3-inches in diameter or greater. Specifically, a form and bids will be required before any work on the following types of trees:

1. Heritage Oaks (valley oaks 33-inches in diameter or greater at breast height) located anywhere on a single family residential parcel, and
2. Any type of tree 24-inches in diameter or greater at breast height located within 20-feet back of walk (20-feet measured from the back of the sidewalk).

The new requirements will help inform residents about various tree maintenance alternatives and ultimately prevent unnecessary removal of trees. If the contractor recommends tree removal, the City now requires that the resident submit a statement from the contractor stating such. This statement may be noted on the quote. 

There is no cost to the resident to submit these forms. Diameter at breast height (DBH) is measured at 54 inches above ground level. The diameter can be calculated by use of the following formula: DBH = circumference at breast high (54 inches above ground level) divided by 3.14.

The requirements also state that only those companies that have a City of Woodland business license and an ISA certified arborist on staff can perform work on trees regulated by the new ordinance. 

Preserving and maintaining trees in the City benefits everyone with energy savings, air quality improvements, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, water quality improvements, and benefits to wildlife. For more information, visit www.cityofwoodland.org/trees or call the Community Services Department at (530) 661-2000.