Commission to Consider Planting Native Tree Species on East Anapamu Street
The Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to consider a recommendation to restore the tree canopy on the 300 to 800 blocks of East Anapamu Street with native coast live oaks instead of Italian stone pines.
Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Council Chambers, City Hall
735 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
On Thursday, October 3, the Street Tree Advisory Committee, a City advisory group composed of appointed community members with horticultural and arboricultural experience, recommended changing the current street tree designation for the 300 to 800 blocks of East Anapamu Street from the Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea) to the California native coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). A block’s street tree designation determines what trees will be planted in the parkway, the area between the curb and sidewalk. This recommendation follows many years of tree decline and failures along the street and a comprehensive safety assessment completed earlier this year.
No existing trees would be affected by this change.
The Committee recommendation introduces a tree species better suited to the street conditions. Reasons for this change include coast live oaks growing well in areas adjacent to asphalt, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and overhead power lines. As they mature, the oaks will recreate the dense canopy that the century-old Italian stone pines once offered.
In 2001, the City adopted the California native coast live oak as one of its two official City trees. The City Council selected the oak to symbolize strength, longevity, and historic preservation. Native to the region, coast live oaks are well-adapted to the local environment and provide valuable food sources and habitat for wildlife.
The parkways along East Anapamu Street currently house 46 Italian stone pines, which will receive continued care from the City’s Urban Forestry Program. Once a final decision on the street tree designation is made, new trees can be planted in the vacant tree wells along the street. There are approximately 25 locations available for planting. The City’s Urban Forestry Program will replant this winter to begin to restore the tree canopy.
Members of the public can submit comments to the Parks and Recreation Commission in person, in writing, or by email at CCarlson@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. Written comments should be received by 12:00 p.m. on October 22 to be considered during the October 23 Commission meeting.
More information about this project can be found on SantaBarbaraCA.gov/StonePines.
