Urban Forestry 

The City’s Park Division oversees the planting and maintenance of trees in City parks, public grounds, median islands, and in parkways (the area between the curb and sidewalk) along City streets. Current tree maintenance inventory includes over 7,000 various trees.  The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the City of El Cajon as Tree City USA.  We urge all residents to support efforts to protect our trees and support the City’s Urban Forestry Program.  The City of El Cajon Parks Division will oversee the planting and maintenance of parkway trees (free of charge) for property owners, providing the parkway can accommodate trees and the property owners sign a Parkway Tree Planting Agreement. 

Planting 

Upon receipt of a signed Parkway Tree Planting Agreement, City staff will inspect the planting site and determine the suitability for planting. A follow-up letter from staff will indicate the findings of the site inspection. If the planting site is suitable, a permissible tree list will be included for the property owner(s) to select the desired tree(s) for planting. Parkway trees may be planted with 20- to 30-foot spacing. Trees may not be planted within 10  feet of a fire hydrant, 15 feet from utility structures, 5 feet from underground utilities, 8 feet from sewer lines, 20 feet from intersections, 30 feet from street signs, and 8 feet from driveways.

Tree Selection 

The City of El Cajon's Permissible Parkway Tree List provides tree selections that are compatible with the planting location, thus preventing damage to public and private improvements while ensuring species diversity.   

Maintenance 

Although property owners are responsible for watering parkway trees, the City provides all the pruning care. The City’s Parks Division prunes parkway trees to improve structure and vigor of the trees.  Parkway trees are also pruned to ensure proper vertical clearance for vehicular (13.5 feet),  pedestrian (7 feet) traffic, and to remove visibility obstructions for motor vehicles.  Typically parkway trees are only removed when they are dead, diseased or dying.  Likewise, a parkway tree will be considered for removal when it presents an immediate concern for public safety.  Occasionally, parkway trees may be removed when planted too close to an existing sewer lateral and there is documented evidence provided by the property owner confirming the tree is causing a sewer obstruction. 

Responsibilities of Property Owners 

Property owners are responsible to maintain all trees behind the sidewalk or along the roadway in unimproved areas (no sidewalk). Additionally, property owners are responsible for watering their parkway trees.  Newly planted trees need regular watering.  More frequent watering is necessary when it is hot; and less watering, when it is cool or it rains.  Since soil and environmental conditions vary, periodically check the soil to see that is not too wet or too dry.  Furthermore, property owners should refrain from activities which may damage parkway trees, and under no circumstance should a property owner trim or remove a parkway tree. 

Additionally, if you observe sidewalk offsets or curb damage as a result of tree root activity, please use the Report an Issue form, selecting Vegetation Overgrowth and Tree Trimming/Issues, to contact the Department of Public Works. 

For further information concerning the community’s Urban Forestry Program, including plantings of parkway and memorial trees, please complete the Request a Free Tree form.