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Office of Forest Management Post-fire Tree Information

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This is intended to provide preliminary information on trees and urban forest considerations during the fire recovery. This includes resources for those with properties that were impacted by the fires and those who are in high fire severity zones and are considering how to prepare for future fires. This is not meant to be exhaustive and will continue to be updated as more information and recommendations become available. This page was last updated on March 7,2025

Please refer HERE for City resources and official information for residents in the affected areas and refer HERE for information from Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) Urban Forestry Division (UFD) on wildfire recovery permitting.

Post Fire Tree Care

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Q: Can trees recover from fire damage and how long does it take?

A: Yes, trees are very resilient and can recover from fire damage. However, it may take months (or sometimes up to two years) for signs of recovery to be clearly visible. Some trees will have been too badly damaged to recover, but many that look damaged now can make a full comeback. It is important to have a qualified professional inspect your trees to determine whether they will recover (so should be retained), might recover (so should be retained and monitored), or will not recover (so can be removed). See below for further information on finding a qualified professional. 

Q: There are white spray paint markings on the trees on my property, what do they mean?

A: The white spray paint markings on trees was done by the EPA, during the evaluation of hazardous materials phase. These markings were done for situational awareness of personnel during hazardous debris removal activities. Additional inspections are needed to determine tree pruning or tree removal needs.

Q: What do the colored markings done by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) contractors on my trees mean?

A: These markings are done by USACE contractors as part of the Phase 2 debris removal program for private property. See below for more information on the criteria used by USACE for “hazard tree” and the process for property owners to request the retention of these tree(s) on their property.

  • Blue dot and bar code - The USACE contractors deemed the tree a “hazard tree” that will be removed as part of the program. 
  • Yellow dot and ribbon (bar code removed) - The USACE contractor marked a “hazard tree” for retention per the property owner’s request through the Tree Waiver form (see more below on how to use the waiver).
  • Brown dot (bar code removed) - The USACE contractors re-inspected a “hazard tree” and determined that it does not actually meet their criteria - so is not considered a “hazard tree” and is not eligible for removal.

Q: [Participating in USACE Phase 2 debris removal program] What if I do not want certain trees removed? How can I provide USACE with information about trees I want retained on my property?

A: As of Monday, March 3rd, there is a Tree Waiver that property owners can use to request the retention of trees on their property that have been marked as a “hazard tree” per USACE’s definition above. See the USACE first media release on the tree waiver HERE. On Friday, March 7th USACE released a media release clarifying the tree waiver process (see HERE).

If you would like to retain tree(s) on your property you must sign the waiver and include a sketch and list of the trees you don’t want removed. Currently property owners can provide a hard copy of the form to the USACE contractor during your 360 walk-through or submit the form by email to Palisadescallcenter@ecc.net. If you submit a hard copy, you are able to make and retain your own copy of the form for your records. 

Take advantage of the contact you have with the USACE contractor to discuss your tree(s) and tree concerns. USACE contractors call property owners 72 hrs before and 24 hrs before the 360 walk-through. If you are having trouble getting in contact with USACE contractors related to tree(s) you wish to retain, see HERE for contact information. 

The TreesAreGood.org website includes resources that you can use to inform yourself for the conversation and decision-making process regarding what trees marked as a “hazard tree” you may want to retain using the waiver. 

Note: it was initially rumored that this waiver was for use only within unincorporated County areas. That is not true, this form can be utilized by City property owners.

Q: [Participating in USACE Phase 2 Debris removal program] I’m nervous about signing the waiver to retain tree(s) that have been deemed a “hazard” by the USACE contractor.

A: The FEMA definition of “hazard tree” that USACE is required to adhere to uses a 5-year timeframe for likelihood of tree death or failure. After a disaster, it is very difficult to determine if a tree will fail within that timeframe without first giving the tree time to show or not show recovery indicators. It is important to understand that the hazardousness of a tree is determined based on both its likelihood of failure AND the potential targets (ex: humans, structures, and vehicles) that a tree or branch might impact upon failure. 

As a property owner, you can hire your own ISA Certified Arborist with TRAQ certification to provide an inspection of your tree(s). Your contracted Arborist will be able to discuss your level of risk tolerance and any concerns, allowing you to make an informed decision about your tree(s). FEMA, in their instructions to USACE, is using a conservative definition of risk. If you hire an Arborist, they can provide you with information about specific hazards posed by your tree(s) - both specific types of failure (branch or whole tree) and the targets that are likely to be impacted by that failure. That Arborist can also advise on an appropriate timeframe for monitoring the tree for recovery or increased risk of failure based on your risk tolerance. 

Many trees can recover from fire damage. An expert can provide you with information so you can make an informed decision. If people, structures, or equipment will be present within the vicinity of trees or branches identified as an immediate high hazard for failure, you should consider removing the tree or branch. However, the longer you are able to give a tree before deciding to remove or retain it, the more clear its likelihood of recovery will be. 

Q: [Not participating in USACE Phase 2 debris removal program] Once inspected, should I immediately remove all trees and prune all branches tagged as hazardous or damaged?

A: It depends. If people, structures, or equipment will be present within the vicinity of trees or branches identified as an immediate high hazard for failure you should consider removing them immediately.  However, the longer you are able to give your trees before removing them, the more clear their likelihood of recovery will be. It is important to understand that the hazardousness of a tree is determined based on its likelihood of failure AND the potential targets (ex: humans, structures, and vehicles) that a tree or branch might impact upon failure.

Q: [Not participating in USACE Phase 2 debris removal program] I have an ISA Certified Arborist inspecting the trees on my private property, should I have them also inspect the street trees in front of my private property?

A: You can have them inspect the street trees. However, final determination for any street tree removals will be done by UFD . See HERE for more information from UFD on wildfire recovery permitting.

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Q: How can I protect trees that I am retaining on my property during debris removal and rebuilding?

A: You should protect trees by creating a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) around each tree to be preserved in place.  

  • Create a TPZ using the larger of the following measurements: 5 feet out from the dripline* or 15 feet from the trunk. Clearly mark the TPZ by installing a temporary fence along the edge. 
  • Ensure all contractors and workers with access to your property are informed about working outside of the TPZ.
  • The following guidelines should be followed within the TPZ:
    • No storage of any construction equipment or vehicles. 
    • No stockpiling of building materials or refuse/waste material. 
    • No objects of any kind shall be attached to any existing trees including nails, grade stakes, etc.
    • No excessive water or heat from equipment or utility line construction.
    • No excessive flooding or erosion in or around the tree root system resulting from dewatering, washing, or other operations.
    • No disturbance of soil or grade by heavy equipment unless under direction and supervision of the arborist of record and/or BSS/UFD.
    • Vehicle and equipment use shall be minimized to the extent possible to prevent soil compaction.

See below for more resources related to TPZs: 

Q: Should I water the trees on my private property?

A: Yes! Your trees have just experienced a stressful event and watering will help promote recovery. 

  • Water your trees by applying water slowly and consistently and allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. 
    • Young trees (less than 3-5 years old) may need 10-15 gallons of water weekly. 
    • Mature trees should be watered using a soaker hose or hose sprinkler attachment on low to apply water to the area within the tree’s dripline* once the top 6 inches of soil is dry. 
  • It is especially important to water trees that previously had consistent access to water from irrigation that is currently turned off. These trees have essentially entered a sudden drought.
Q: Should I water the street tree in front of my private property?

A: Yes, you can provide water to the street trees in the same way that you do trees on your private property. 

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Q: When should I plant trees on my private property?

A: Not yet. Do not plant new trees until after all hazardous waste and debris removal is completed. If your property will require construction work to rebuild, consider when to plant new trees based on their proximity to the work.

Q: I want to help plant trees in areas impacted by fires. Are there volunteer opportunities?

A: Not at this time.

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Q: I live in a high fire severity zone not directly impacted by the fire. Do I need to remove all trees on my private property to prevent future fires?

A:  No. Maintaining healthy trees is important. There are many important factors to consider in protecting your property, many of which are focused on the buildings and structures on your property rather than the trees. There are many resources on how to protect and prepare for fire (see resource section below). Trees provide us with many benefits and it is important to note that in hillside areas, trees and other vegetation play a huge role in stabilizing the hillside and preventing erosion.

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