Q: Why doesn’t the City top the trees so they will remain small?
The topping of trees is strongly discouraged because of many negative effects resulting from this practice. Topped trees will actually need to be trimmed more frequently and topping forces the aggressive growth of “suckers” that originate from the point of each cut. This growth quickly fills the crown of the tree which causes: increased pruning frequency resulting in higher maintenance costs; the formation of a dense crown which makes the tree prone to blowing over in heavy winds; and, trees which develop weak and dangerous branch attachments prone to breakage.

Q: Does the City prune for view?
No, our policy is to prune trees for the safety of the public and the well being and aesthetics of the tree. A tree which is severely pruned to benefit one resident’s sense of view cannot provide the public the many benefits and enhancements that the tree was planted for in the first place.

Q: Can I trim the parkway tree in front of my home?
Yes, with certain provisions. Residents who want their parkway trees trimmed privately or with a greater frequency than provided by the City must get a permit through the Parks Division, tree maintenance office. The tree must be pruned to ISA standards and the cost of pruning is the responsibility of the resident. The property owner may be held liable for any damages inflicted on the tree. In no case should a parkway tree be trimmed without a permit.

Q: Can I plant my own street tree?
Yes. Residents can plant trees in parkways at their own expense through a permit issued by the Parks Division. The tree species and exact location must be approved prior to installation of the tree and residents must follow City guidelines when planting the tree. For more information on Resident Plantings, call 310-318-0687.

Q: I’ve had problems with roots breaking up my sidewalk in the past. Why plant again?
In the past, developers built homes without considering which tree was the right one for the right place. As a result, some trees grew much bigger than the parkway where they were planted. Planning and planting the right tree is now dependent on parkway size, soil and neighborhood conditions. Trees may also be planted with root barriers as well.

Q: Who maintains and prunes my trees, other than making sure they are watered?
The Public Works/Parks Division is responsible for maintenance of public property trees. When new trees are planted in City parkways, residents are encouraged to water the trees to aid in their establishment. Literature on the care of young trees is provided to residents who receive a new tree in their parkway.

Q: What if I want a tree removed?
So that Redondo Beach does not lose its tree population faster than it can replant new ones, the City does not allow trees to be removed simply for the sake of removing them. Trees must be dangerous or diseased without remedy or be contributing to a hazardous condition. A City inspector will analyze and determine if a tree needs to be removed. Because of the value placed on larger trees, damage to sidewalks and curbs are routinely repaired in lieu of removing established trees.

Q: What happens if tree roots damage my sewer or water line?
When tree roots invade sewer lateral lines, the vast majority of the time, the roots enter through the clay pipes that leak water and attract root growth. A common misconception is that roots will actively seek out sewer pipes in their search for moisture and then damage the pipe. This is almost never the case. The homeowner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the sewer lateral line from the residence to the sewer main located in the street.

Q: Whom do I call for tree-related problems?
When a resident has a concern about a street tree, or would like to report a hazardous condition, the resident should call the Parks Division office at 310-318-0687. The staff is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer questions. After hours, residents will be referred to a 24-hour emergency line so an immediate response to a tree-related emergency can be coordinated.

Q: Who clears branches from around my power lines?
The tree maintenance crew directed by the Parks Division will maintain clearance around all electrical lines in Redondo Beach that are impacted by limbs from City owned trees. In cases where City tree trimming crews need to enter private yards; every attempt is made to contact the owner of the property in advance.