Made up of community representatives from each Council District and a Mayor’s representative, the community representatives are nominated by City Council members and appointed by the Mayor. Non-voting City representatives include the City Forest Officer and staff from StreetsLA, Urban Forestry Division, City Plants, Recreation and Parks, Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment, Planning, Department of Building and Safety, Bureau of Engineering, and any departments whose work impacts trees.
Table of Contents
- Our Mission
- Tree Protection
- Monthly Meetings
- Agendas & minutes
- Questions About Trees
- News & Events
- Resources Links
Our Mission
Achieve a healthy, safe, and enduring Los Angeles community forest ecosystem for wildlife as well as for the enjoyment and well being of all Angelenos.
Duties of the committee include the following:
- Advise City Council on tree policies, practices and challenges.
- Develop policies to expand and improve Los Angeles's urban forest and enhance biodiversity.
- Advise City Departments on procedures regarding preservation, tree care and tree planting.
- Promote equitable distribution of the benefits and services provided by the urban forest.
- Help community members work with the City on tree issues.
- Advocate for tree-related funding for Departments.
- Review and comment on specific projects in the City.
- Advocate for urban forestry and biodiversity as key city priorities that address public health and the climate crisis.
Tree Protection
What Is Urban Forest Management?
- The protection and enhancement of urban forests and the natural resources and processes on which their health depend.
- UFM is based on scientific principles that govern a natural ecosystem occurring in the midst of, and interacting with, the city and human processes.
- The effective and efficient management of this critical "green infrastructure" through leadership, sensitive planning, pro-active programs and education.
Benefits Of The Urban Forest
- Combat climate change.
- Reduce urban heat island effect by shading pavement and buildings.
- Save energy and reduce cooling costs.
- Improve public health by improving air quality, providing shade and improving mental well-being.
- Reduce health impacts from extreme heat events.
- Slow down and capture rainwater and reduce costs of stormwater management.
- Increase property values, stimulate business,
- Enhance wildlife habitat and support biodiversity.
- Beautify our City.
- Provide environmental equity and access to nature for all communities.
Protected Native Trees and Shrubs
- Oaks native to Southern California
- California black walnut
- California sycamore
- California bay
- Toyon
- Mexican Elderberry
Native Tree and Shrub Protection
The City requires a permit for the removal of any protected native tree or shrub. To request a permit or report suspected illegal removal call: Bureau of Street Services / StreetsLA at (800) 996-2489 during working hours (7:00 AM - 3:45 PM) or use the MyLA311 system online.
Street Tree Protection
A no-fee permit is required to prune a street tree. Pruning must conform to International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Guidelines
To report suspected illegal pruning of a street tree (i.e., topping, hatracking) call the Bureau of Street Services (see above) or use the MyLA311 system online. If possible, safely take photos showing the tree, truck license number and address. Avoid confrontation.
Monthly Meetings
We meet virtually on the first Thursday of every month from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Meeting access codes are provided on each month's agenda. For information on the next meeting, email cfac.cd01@gmail.com. CFAC is comprised entirely of volunteers and we need your help! For more information on how to get involved, email the address above and attend a meeting.
Here you can access the recordings for past meetings spanning back six months.
See bottom of page for upcoming and past meeting agendas:
Questions about Trees
For tree related issues within your Council District please contact your local representative below.
CFAC Council District Representatives Contact List:
- CD 1: Vacant cfac.cd01@gmail.com
- CD 1 Alternate: Lynnette Kampe, cfac.cd01@gmail.com
- CD 2: Joanne D’Antonio, Chair, cd2cfac@gmail.com
- CD 3: Mihran Kalaydjian, Vice Chair Kmihran@hotmail.com
- CD 4: Deanne Paul, deepaulgo@gmail.com
- CD 4 Alternate: Adele Slaughter: Adeleslaughter@mac.com
- CD 5: Charles Miller, charlesallenmiller@gmail.com
- CD 5 Alternate, Mindy Mann, cd5cfacalt@gmail.com
- CD 6: Veronica Lopez, vlopez2531@gmail.com
- CD 7: Pablo Cardoso, pablo.cardoso@tribalconservationcorps.org
- CD 8: Robin Gilliam, cfac.cd8@gmail.com
- CD 9: Vacant
- CD 10: Brent Green, appleseedtreelove@gmail.com
- CD 10 Alternate: Theresa Maysonet, tcmaysonet@gmail.com
- CD 11: Isabelle Duvivier, isabelle@idarchitect.com
- CD 11 Alternate: Carolyn LoBuglio, carolynlobuglio@gmail.com
- CD 12: Marianne King, mkingofchatsworth@gmail.com
- CD 13: Scott Fajack, cd13.cfac@gmail.com
- CD 13 Alternate: Cyndi Hubach, cyndihubach@gmail.com
- CD 14: Jack Smith, cfac.cd14@gmail.com
- CD 15: Gwendolyn Henry, Secretary, gwendolyn_henry@verizon.net
- Mayor’s Representative: Sejal Patel, spatel@risingcommunities.org
FAQs
In the City of Los Angeles, trees, plants and shrubs in streets, parkways and other public ways are planted and maintained by the City of Los Angeles Urban Forestry Division. A permit is required to trim branches or roots of a street tree, or to remove a street tree. Removal is only approved if the tree is dead or dying, or is creating a hazardous condition. If there is any question as to whether your tree is a street tree, contact the Urban Forestry Division at (213) 847-3077.
Please visit the Urban Forestry Division website if you have any questions about street trees, such as what to do if your parkway tree is dead, diseased, hazardous or needs pruning; how to obtain a permit to trim a street tree (properly); how to repair sidewalk damage created by a tree; which trees are approved for street trees; protected tree removal; and the schedule for tree trimming on your street.
If you have questions regarding planting, care and maintenance on trees that are not street trees, we recommend you contact an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). You can search for an ISA certified arborist in your area, and find advice on tree care at the ISA website.
Most arborists charge for their services by the hour. Your local nursery is also a good resource for questions regarding tree types recommended for different planting conditions and care and maintenance for existing trees.
News & Events
12 best drought-resistant plants for dry weather
Resources Links
Valuable Information
- Inventory of trees on streets and in parks (in progress) and Tree Inventory Schedule
- LA County Tree Canopy Map Viewer
- Tree Guarantee Fee Plantings
- Dudek Report: Developing an Urban Forest Management Plan for the City of Los Angeles
- LA Controller Ron Galperin's Tree Maintenance Report
- Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at CalPoly SLO: Tree Selection Guide
- Finding an Arborist (ISA)
- Tree Owner Information (ISA)
- Watering Mature Trees when you let your lawn go gold (US Forest Service)
- Watering Young Trees when you let your lawn go gold (US Forest Service)
Los Angeles City & County Sites
- City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry Division
- Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
- City of Los Angeles Brush Clearance Guidelines
- County of Los Angeles guide to pests
- Office of City Forest Management
- Los Angeles County Arboretum
Los Angeles Based Non-Profit Organizations
- City Plants
- Northeast Trees
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps
- Hollywood / LA Beautification team
- Tree People
- Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC)
Groups And Organizations In California
- California Urban Forests Council
- Street Tree Seminar, Inc.
- California ReLEAF
- California Oak Foundation
- California Register of Big Trees
- California Fire Safe Council
US & State Government Sites
- USDA Forest Service
- USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station
- California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
National Groups And Organizations
Help With Finding An Arborist
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
- The American Society of Consulting Arborists
- Society of Municipal Arborists
Schools And Universities