sfenvironment.org

Trees

Achievements Reports Agencies Partnerships News & Events Public Awareness

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Trees aren't just a pretty addition to urban life; they're a vital component of the ecosystem—most especially in a city. They filter storm water, lessen air pollution and greenhouse gases, help save energy, increase property values, provide wildlife habitat, and benefit human health. San Francisco's urban forest consists of about 668,000 trees, which cover 12 percent of city's surface area. About 108,000 of them are street trees maintained by the Department of Public Works, Friends of the Urban Forest, and individual property owners. A complex network of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals plant and take care of the rest.

Achievements

• The City is currently home to approximately 36,000 city-maintained street trees and 72,000 privately maintained street trees, which provide economic and ecological benefits of $7.5 million annually, including energy savings, storm-water containment, air pollution removal, and property value increases.


• San Francisco's entire urban forest (including backyards, parks, and street trees) is a mosaic of about 668,000 trees providing 12 percent canopy coverage. These trees remove approximately 287 tons of air pollutants each year valued at $1.4 million and 5,100 tons of carbon dioxide each year valued at $94,000 annually.


• San Francisco is also home to one of most successful and robust community-based urban forestry efforts. For the last 25 years, Friends of the Urban Forest and San Francisco residents have taken an active role in tree planting and tree care activities.

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Reports

• Annual Urban Forest Report - The 2009 Urban Forestry Council's annual report on the state of San Francisco's urban forest and activities of urban forest managers


• Urban Forest Effects Model (UFORE) - A Complete Analysis of San Francisco's Urban Forest Cover


• Street Tree Analysis - A Detailed Report on San Francisco's Street Trees


• Urban Forestry Social Survey - How do San Franciscans view their Urban Forest?


• Street Tree Action Plan - 4 Steps to Increasing and Improving San Francisco's Street Tree Population


• San Francisco Bay Area State of the Urban Forest Report -The USDA Forest Service - Center for Urban Forest Research detailed report for the Bay Area


• Urban Forest Plan - April 2006


• List of Landmark Trees

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Agencies

Local

• The Urban Forestry Council advises city departments, including the Board of Supervisors and the mayor.


• Department of Public Works - Bureau of Urban Forestry is responsible for implementing Article 16 of the Public Works code - the Urban Forestry Ordinance - and has jurisdiction over trees and landscaping in the public-right-way. The Bureau is directly responsible for the maintenance and planting of about one third of the total estimated 106,000 street trees, or 36,000 tree sites mostly along major thoroughfares and in some redevelopment areas.



• Recreation & Park Department - plants and maintains the trees in our parks and open spaces.



• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - manages stormwater in San Francisco and the surrounding watershed to supply clean water. Trees and plants are part of this process.



• San Francisco Planning Department - promotes sustainable use of land and quality of life for a diverse community and future generations. Planning, Building Inspection and Public Works coordinate tree protection zones during construction and development.



• Port of San Francisco - promotes maritime, industrial and recreation activities.



• San Francisco International Airport - oversees landscape design and maintenance at one of the world's largest airports.



• SF Environment - works on tree policies and programs in partnership with city government agencies, businesses and the public.



• San Francisco Housing Authority - maintains trees and landscaping for public housing.

State

• California Department of Forestry - coordinates urban forestry grants and projects in California.



• San Francisco Unified School District - manages trees and playgrounds at public schools and educates students about trees and plants.



• University of California, San Francisco - manages trees and open space on Mount Sutro and campuses.

Federal

• Golden Gate National Recreation Area - maintains and restores recreational areas and ecosystems in San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties.



• Presidio Trust - offers recreation, historical sites and unique ecosystems in San Francisco.



• USDA Center for Urban Forest Research - researches benefits of urban trees and provides educational details.

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Partnerships

Friends of the Urban Forest

• Each year, Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) help communities plant more than 1,500 trees. Since 1981, FUF has planted roughly 40,000 trees in San Francisco.


• FUF arborists, volunteers and youth maintain trees throughout the City with proper care and pruning techniques.


• Friends of the Urban Forest seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of the importance of trees to San Francisco. In addition to its newsletter and other periodic publications, it offers tree tours, quarterly pruning workshops, and leadership training. Through the Youth Tree Care Program, FUF trains economically disadvantaged youth in tree planting and tree care.

The Urban Forest Map digitally pinpoints the location of each tree, maintains tree data in a consistent database, and offers web access to the tree data--key for maintenance and planting efforts.

Plant*SF works with community groups and city agencies to design and implement permeable and sidewalk landscaping.

The Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) strives to increase public and private support for, and commitment to, the restoration and improved maintenance of our neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities. In addition to technical assistance and organizing help to our network and new park groups, NPC provides a forum for sharing information and experience at park planning meetings in each District, including educational presentations and workshops with guest speakers and topic experts.

Nature in the City coordinates habitat restoration activities that remove invasive vegetation while cultivating native trees and plants.

Garden for the Environment offers gardening classes that benefit trees as well.

The Garden Project provides horticultural training and therapy for at-risk youth and adults with a criminal background.

University of California Cooperative Extension offers educational and technical support about trees to homeowners and professionals.

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News & Events

For more information about events happening around the City:

• Friends of the Urban Forest



• SF Neighborhood Parks Council



• Nature in the City



• SF Green Connect



• AIDS Memorial



• San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Assocation



• SF Department of Public Works



• Marin ReLeaf

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Public Awareness

Unique Xmas Tree Program (November 30, 2007)




San Francisco Observes Arbor Day (March 7, 2007)

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