Fall 2008 Edition

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Free Air Conditioners!

Do you want to reduce your energy bill? Plant a tree in your yard where it will block the afternoon sun. Strategically planted shade trees can reduce air conditioning demand - and costs - up to 30%. Fueled by sun, soil and water, trees are nature’s air conditioners!

That’s the point of “Shade & Save,” a new PG&E energy conservation program currently offering 500 free shade trees for home yards through Our City Forest. This private property tree program complements Our City Forest’s familiar public tree programs for streets, parks and schools.

At the program launch in October, San José Mayor Chuck Reed joined PG&E and Our City Forest in planting a 5-gallon Zelkova serrata in the front yard of Michael and Millie Coleman’s South San José home. As the 50+ onlookers and television camera crews sweltered in the intense afternoon sun, the tree had an easy time making its case as an air conditioner.

Mayor Reed praised PG&E and Our City Forest for working on San Jose’s Green Vision, including the 100,000 tree planting goal. He also applauded the efforts of OCF’s hard-working Tree Amigos.

San José residents who have air conditioning and sufficient yard space may apply for one free tree. OCF staff will assess each request to determine an eligible yard location, then plant the tree and provide tree care instructions. Residents are encouraged to join in the planting.

Shade & Save applications are available at ourcityforest.org/pge or by calling 408-998-7337 x111. First-come, first-served. Apply now!

Environmental Service Corps Shines

Twenty-two new full-time Tree Amigos have arrived at Our City Forest from around the country to serve San José for 10 months. With several weeks of intensive training under their belts, they are busy delivering and planting trees, giving planting demos, conducting public outreach and so much more.

As AmeriCorps members they receive a living stipend, rather than pay, in return for their service. Members also believe that the experience will enrich their lives. New member Manki Wong shares, “I signed up with Our City Forest because I wanted to do something meaningful and also help the environment.”

Supported with AmeriCorps funding and matching State and City grants, OCF offers excellent green job training while also providing extensive urban forestry and educational services throughout the city.

If you should see any of these green-shirted Tree Amigos in your neighborhood, be sure thank them for helping grow a greener, healthier San José! Donations or discounts to help stretch their living stipends are most appreciated. Contact Monica at 998-7337 x108

Deloitte Employees Dig In

Deloitte, a world renowned financial services firm with offices in downtown San Jose, recruited 90 of its own employees to join Our City Forest Tree Amigos in a planting that added 38 trees to Kelley Park and 27 blue oaks to barren median strips on Senter Rd.

In addition to donating their time, the Deloitte volunteers also donated $3,675. According to Brandon Davis, OCF project manager and arborist, “The money donated by Deloitte will help with our costs for hand-watering the trees and providing maintenance.” Due to a lack of irrigation along the median, hand-watering is necessary. OCF dedicates 40 hours to the care of these trees each month.

As the median trees mature and grow larger, they will help shade drivers from the glaring sun, remove hazardous airborne pollutants, beautify the landscape and encourage drivers to slow down. Thanks to the generosity of Deloitte, hundreds of commuters will enjoy a more scenic trip down Senter Road. OCF salutes Deloitte for its contribution to the greening of San José – and for setting an example for other Silicon Valley corporations.

Healthy Trees Program

Last year, the California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection awarded Our City Forest its first-ever tree care grant. A total of 4,833 young shade trees in 98 neighborhood areas and schools have received tree care, including pruning. OCF is on target to reach the goal of 8,000 before the grant expires in early 2009.

OCF designed its “Healthy Trees” program to focus on trees 7 years or younger in areas throughout San José. Research indicates that trees should be structurally pruned at least twice when still young because early intervention prevents structural failures and reduces the need for pruning as they mature. Cities can save millions of dollars by ensuring the pruning of young trees by trained specialists.

OCF Arborist Christian Bonner understands the importance of tree care funding. “The Healthy Trees grant has increased our capacity to ensure the survival of many trees, as well as develop good structure, reduce future maintenance costs, and increase tree care knowledge throughout San José.”

Healthy Trees has also made possible a public information campaign. OCF provides materials in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and has developed a creative way to reach the public with its Tree-Mobile. This mobile education and outreach center allows OCF to bolster its planting and tree care services with an interactive educational program for people of all ages.

Green Makeover Empowers Youth

The five-acre county property housing Muriel Wright Residential Center, a correctional facility for youth ages 12 to 18, was a barren piece of land one year ago. Thanks to the commitment of nearly 100 hard-working volunteers over 4 days of work, the facility now boasts a lush green estate with 136 shade trees.

Muriel Wright’s residents were key to the project’s success. Jennifer Albin, OCF staff coordinator for the event, commented, “These young people are great and incredibly hardworking.” Indeed, they didn’t hesitate to dig in and help out throughout the transformation.

Also lending their time were 42 Intel employees and students from Wilcox High, Pioneer High, S.J. City College and West Valley College.

Special thanks are due to the Intel volunteers who donated a total of 235 hours to the project. No strangers to hard work, they have assisted OCF in four projects over the past two years.

Funding for the trees and stakes was provided through OCF’s State Deptartment of Forestry & Fire Protection grant. As for who will be looking after the trees, the youthful residents will care for them with a little help from their counselors.

Engaging as many people as possible in the greening of San José produces intangible as well as tangible results. To quote one of the residents: “Planting these trees makes me feel like I can make a difference. I can help make the world a better place.”

Speaking Out For Trees

Before	After
Prior to Pruning	Winter reveals illegal topping

Planting trees is important, but saving the mature ones we already have is even more so due to the vast economic and environmental benefits they provide. That’s why volunteer tree advocates go into action when they see what appears to be a healthy tree wearing an ominous “pink slip.” They know that the tree is likely headed for the chopping block unless some one intervenes. Here we highlight a few recent advocacy efforts led by some persevering residents.

June Cooley
June worked with fellow residents and city officials for 10 months attempting to save 41 Eucalyptus at her Hamilton Corners condominium complex. Their efforts saved 23 of the original trees and forced the city to address illegal tree removals in the area. In addition, the trees will now be replaced with larger specimens – 36’’ boxes vs. 15.’’ What Cooley discovered in the process is that there is much confusion and lack of awareness concerning tree removal permitting for multi-family housing. She notes “It is extremely important to take note when your homeowner association starts talking about removing trees. There may be policies to protect them.” Without Cooley’s diligence in obtaining clarification regarding tree policies, all 41 trees may have been removed without residents even knowing there was a choice.

Dan and Camilla Cochran
This couple didn’t waste any time trying to save three rare cork oaks accused of breaking up the sidewalk and dipping too low. An integral part the of area’s history, these trees are each over 125 years old. The Cochrans paid to replace the lifted sidewalk and offered to install extra safety precautions, such as speed bumps, to mitigate any potential driver issues. Thanks to their advocacy and the City’s support, these oaks are safe for now. This advocacy tale illustrates how preserving history and neighborhood integrity are important considerations in tree removal decisions.

Richard Bruni
This observant resident just couldn’t ignore removal notices on six sycamores lining Rhodes Avenue. The trees appeared perfectly healthy, but a construction project threatened their survival. His swift call to action prevented the trees’ unnecessary removal and highlights the need for citizens to stay involved and ask questions!

Anonymous
This resident went above and beyond, advocating for an ordinance-sized tree by collecting signatures and educating area residents on laws protecting trees. “It takes time, but it’s a good thing” she said, after knocking on over thirty doors, contacting city officials and attending removal hearings. Thanks to her hard work and the support of OCF Tree Amigo and unofficial Tree Advocacy Mentor Doris Livezey, the tree is still standing today. More importantly, it is now backed by a neighborhood full of newly educated supporters that will hopefully go on to save trees themselves.

Our quality of life depends on a healthy urban forest and the urban forest depends on the actions of tree heroes like these. For more information on how you can be a Tree Advocate, visit www.ourcityforest.org or call (408) 99-TREES.

How To Be A Tree Advocate

If a Tree Is Posted For Removal:

If a Street Tree Is Being Pruned Or Removed:

Read posted notice - if removal is “by owner request,” due to “sidewalk damage,” etc., consider advocacy. Talk to the homeowner - suggest alternative actions. Write a letter/email of objection to the City Arborist (arborist@sanjoseca.gov); encourage others to as well. Start a petition protesting the tree removal. Attend the tree removal hearing and present your petition, tree benefits and/or removal alternatives. Even if the tree removal permit is denied, continue to monitor the tree for potentially illegal action.

Politely approach the person and ask if they have a permit. If so, be sure he/she is following City or OCF guidelines. If not, respectfully explain that a permit is required to prune or remove street trees, and that continuing without one is illegal. You may contact the SJPD at (408) 277-8900, Code Enforcement at (408) 277-4528, the City Arborist at (408) 277-2762 or call (408) 277-4373 for tree emergencies.

Tree Maintenance Services Message from S.J. Dept. of Transportation

There are approximately 250,000 street trees throughout the City of San José. With storm season upon us, the City would like to encourage everyone to make sure that trees on your property, including street trees, are well maintained. You can reduce the risk of costly tree failures by ensuring that trees receive structural pruning and adequate water. As a reminder, effective July 1, 2008, the City of San José is no longer able to provide emergency tree services and corrective tree maintenance for street trees at no cost to the property owner. If immediate tree/limb removal or pruning must occur in order to ensure safety in the public right-of-way, the City will use a tree contractor to take the necessary corrective action, and the property owner will then be billed for this work by the City.

Although budget cuts have resulted in the elimination of the City’s Tree Crew, the City’s Arborist’s Office (408) 277- 2762 is a great resource if you would like advice on optimal maintenance for your trees. The Arborist’s Office manages the health and condition of street trees by assisting property owners with obtaining tree permits for removal, planting and pruning, offering tree care advice, overseeing certain types of contractual and private tree-related work, and coordinating with our Urban Forest partners such as Our City Forest on tree planting, education and advocacy efforts. The City of San José also provides a website that can help San José residents with tips about how to care for your trees and information on how to contact the right City or County office for help with tree-related issues. Consult www.sanjoseca.gov/tree for information on tree issues and links to all of the City departments and other tree-related services. Help ensure a thriving, sustainable Urban Forest in your community that will improve quality of life, beautify neighborhoods, and contribute to a healthier environment for everyone. - by Diane Milowicki, City of San Jose