TO: COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
FROM: JEREMY SWAN, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: DECEMBER 3, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
CLARABOYA PINE TREE PROACTIVE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Body
SUMMARY
The severity of recent wildfires and rapid spread due to high winds is an issue of particular concern to those residents close to the foothills. The City of Claremont takes public safety very seriously and works closely with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and other local agencies to ensure responsible management of our urban forest and open spaces. Although the City meets or exceeds the safety requirements set forth by these agencies, the Grand Prix Fire damaged structures and personal property in the Claraboya area in 2003, and residents of the neighborhood have expressed fears related to the pine trees lining their streets.
There are 207 pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood, with the Canary Island pine tree being the predominant species. During the windstorms of January 2022 and January 2025, the Canary Island pine tree ranked in the top three species of trees that failed. Mountain Avenue serves as the sole means of ingress and egress for the neighborhood, and should one of these trees fall during a catastrophic event, that roadway would likely be blocked. Any obstruction to Mountain Avenue may prevent residents from evacuating the area and emergency vehicles from entering.
In January 2025, the City Council directed staff to develop a proactive removal and replacement program for all of the pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood. In August 2025, staff sent a survey to all Claraboya property owners and posted the survey on the City website. In September 2025, staff held a community meeting to collect additional community input and discuss the survey responses collected to that point. The results of the survey and the input received at the meeting did not align. The survey indicated that the neighborhood residents support a planned proactive removal and replacement program, while the input received at the meeting demonstrated the opposite.
On November 19, 2025, this item was presented to the Tree Committee, along with five possible recommendations. After substantial public comment and a lengthy discussion by the Committee, the Tree Committee approved Option 1 (Keep with Standard) - No trees will be removed unless they meet City standards, and trees will be trimmed according to the five-year tree trimming schedule.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Community and Human Services Commission approve Option 1 (Keep with Standard) - No removals will occur unless the tree meets one or more of the required standards for removal, and trimming will continue with the five-year grid trimming cycle.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there is the following alternatives:
A. Approve an alternate option.
B. Refer the matter back to staff for additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial impact would depend on the measures implemented. If no additional measures are implemented, there will be no further financial impact. If removal is recommended, the financial impact will range from $390,000 if all trees are removed at the same time to $420,000 if tree removals are phased over three years. If a three-year trim cycle is implemented, an additional $30,000 every three years would be necessary.
To fund the additional $30,000 every three years for the enhanced trimming cycle, the City would be required to allocate additional funding from future budgets. As an alternative, the City could initiate a Proposition 218 process to create a special assessment district of residents in the Claraboya neighborhood to fund the more frequent trimming of pine trees in the area. Residents would pay an annual assessment to cover the cost of trimming the trees every three years, as opposed to the established five-year cycle. The process to initiate the Proposition 218 process is estimated to cost $5,000 and requires a no-contest vote process.
The staff cost to prepare this report, conduct the community input meeting, and present the item to the Tree Committee is estimated at $4,400 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Services Department.
ANALYSIS
Wildfires and windstorms have become matters of great concern for communities close to the foothills. The safety of the community and preservation of property, including the urban forest and open spaces, are of the utmost importance to the City of Claremont. The City works closely with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LA County Fire), Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights & Measures, CAL FIRE, and other local agencies to ensure compliance with all fire protection requirements.
The City of Claremont, West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA), and LA County Fire all have the means to respond in an emergency. In any natural emergency, the City is first to respond. WCA is the City’s tree maintenance contractor. Because of the City’s long-standing positive relationship with the company, WCA is quick to provide assistance during an emergency when City resources are not sufficient, as evident during the two recent windstorms. During an emergency, LA County Fire will respond in accordance with the severity of the situation and its assigned priority. Should LA County Fire lack the necessary resources to restore ingress to/egress from the neighborhood, they will call for mutual aid assistance.
City staff has discussed with LA County Fire the pine trees in Claraboya neighborhood, and during these conversations there was no indication of specific concern relating to the Canary Island pines in that area.
Of the 207 pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood, 187 are Canary Island pines. Torrey, Aleppo, and Japanese Black pines make up the remaining twenty. On average, the pine trees in this area have a diameter at breast height of 25-30 inches and measure 45-60 feet tall. These trees are considered healthy; stable; and free from pests, disease, or any structural defects. The trees were planted as part of the development of the neighborhood, not by the City.
Over the past few years, the City has experienced two significant wind events. During the January 2022 windstorm, the City lost approximately seventy pine trees. The cost to the City for removal, disposal, and stump grinding was approximately $90,000. During the January 2025 windstorm, the City lost approximately five pine trees. The cost to the City for removal, disposal, and stump grinding was approximately $6,100. No signs of decay, structural weakness, or other deficiencies that would lead to tree failure were present. The City does not have record of any whole tree or large pine branch failures in the Claraboya area during either windstorm. It should be noted, however, that due to the scope of the January 2022 windstorm, LA County Fire and other agencies assisted the City with clearing trees and other debris. In the interest of restoring access to streets and other private and City property quickly, not all tree or branch failures may have been documented.
Following the January 2022 windstorm, the City Council directed staff to complete a citywide urban forest assessment to identify any trends or underlying issues that may have contributed to tree failures during the windstorm. The assessment indicated that the Italian Stone pine, Red Ironbark eucalyptus and Canary Island pine trees had the highest frequency of failure. Based on the findings in the assessment, the City Council directed staff to develop a proactive removal and replacement plan for these species. In February 2023, the Tree Committee reviewed the plan and recommended that the Community and Human Services Commission recommend its approval to the City Council. After considerable negative response from the community, the plan did not move forward. During the January 2025 windstorm, those three species again had the highest frequency of failure.
Over the years, residents from the Claraboya neighborhood have spoken before the Tree Committee, Community and Human Services Commission, and City Council regarding the City-owned pine trees located within the easements in front of their homes and the public rights-of-way. Many of these residents expressed concern about the safety of the pine trees, particularly after the January 2022 windstorm. Topics of concern included risk from wildfires and windstorms, and damage caused by nuisance debris. Mountain Avenue is the sole point of ingress and egress for the area, which poses a challenge for residents and emergency vehicles in the event of an emergency. A fallen tree blocking the street could prohibit evacuation efforts. Due to these concerns and comments from residents, the City Council directed staff to develop a proactive removal and replacement plan for the Claraboya neighborhood.
Per the City’s Tree Policies and Guidelines Manual, the Community and Human Services Commission must adhere to policies approved and adopted by the City Council pertaining to the care and maintenance of the urban forest. The Manual prohibits the removal of a street tree unless it is dead, in a state of severe decline, or poses an immediate hazard. However, the Manual recognizes that, on occasion, unique conditions may exist that could warrant a more proactive removal and replacement program that allows for the removal of a number of large, healthy, well-established trees that would otherwise not be considered for removal. The pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood may qualify for such a program. Before a planned proactive removal and replacement program is approved, the Manual requires a robust community input process.
Community Input
In August 2025, the City conducted a survey to solicit feedback regarding the pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood. Staff sent over 270 letters including the survey directly to all property owners in the area and posted the survey on the City website for input from the larger community. The survey response period was open for thirty days. By the end of the survey period, 158 responses were submitted. The majority of respondents indicated that the negative impacts of the pine trees outweigh the benefits they provide and that they would like to see the pine trees removed as soon as possible. The comments greatly focused on nuisance debris, not on public safety. The complete survey results are included as Attachment A.
In September 2025, the City held a community meeting to discuss the pine trees in the Claraboya area. At the meeting, staff shared preliminary survey results and facilitated open conversation. Approximately thirty community members attended the meeting. The overwhelming majority of input received at the meeting supported preserving the pine trees. Comments at the meeting included that the pine trees were purposely planted to shield the homes on the hillside; that they are iconic to the Claraboya neighborhood; and that they provide an abundance of environmental, economic, and ecological benefits. While a few residents in attendance supported the immediate removal of all of the pine trees, most requested enhanced maintenance over removal. Since the community meeting, several residents who opted for immediate removal of the trees on the survey have reached out to the City indicating they have since changed their mind regarding the removal of the pine trees.
Care and Maintenance of the Urban Forest
Historically, the City was divided into twelve geographical grids for tree maintenance. Grids were trimmed on a 7-8 year cycle, with 1-2 grids being completed each year. Tree trimming standards at the time were very conservative, contributing to heavy tree canopies, recurring clearance issues, and higher instances of tree/branch failure. Following the January 2022 windstorm, the City Council approved a five-grid, five-year trimming cycle. City trees are now trimmed every five years, in keeping with industry standard. Current trimming practices follow the natural growth and structure of the tree, and approximately 20-25 percent of the canopy is removed. This practice has reduced heavy tree canopies, clearance issues, and tree/branch failures. The updated trimming cycle and practices also encourage healthier growth, leading to a thriving urban forest.
Excessive tree trimming that removes a large portion of a tree’s canopy is counterproductive and may compromise the tree’s overall health. Photosynthesis, the process by which a tree feeds itself, occurs within the tree’s foliage. Overpruning, or removing a significant amount of foliage, shocks the tree and weakens its ability to fight off disease, pests, and stresses of the urban environment. The tree reacts by pushing rapid new growth known as water sprouts. These sprouts are a natural survival mechanism and an effort by the tree to replace lost foliage and continue photosynthesis quickly. Because this growth occurs rapidly, they are usually weak attachments prone to breakage. Trees that are overpruned require more maintenance to address the excessive weak growth and shabby appearance.
Outside of the regular trimming cycle, property owners may pay or obtain a permit to have a private arborist trim a City tree. The City Arborist must approve the tree trimming before either takes place. Through the Residential Pay Program, the City will pass their contracted rates on to property owners for tree trimming. The City’s contractor will then trim the tree at the City’s negotiated rate according to City trimming standards. Additionally, property owners may obtain a free permit and have City trees trimmed by a private tree care company. The permit must be approved by the City Arborist, and the City Arborist must be on site when work is being done. Under each program, City standard trimming practices are required. Neither of these programs allow for topping, lion tailing, thinning out, etc. For liability reasons, the City must approve and monitor trimming of all City trees.
Claraboya Neighborhood Street Tree Options
At the November 19, 2025 Tree Committee meeting, the Tree Committee was presented the following options:
Option 1 - Keep with Standard
No removals will occur unless the tree meets one or more of the required standards for removal. Continue with five-year grid trimming cycle. No significant budget impacts.
Option 2 - Three-Year Removal and Replacement Program
Develop a three-year removal and mandatory replacement program of all pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood. Under this program, approximately 70 trees will be removed and replaced annually over the next three years. The estimated annual cost for a three-year phased removal is $110,000, plus $15,000 annually for replanting of 15-gallon size trees, for an estimated total of $125,000 annually. The total cost of the removal and replacement of all pine trees under this option would be approximately $375.000. Larger, 24-inch box size trees may be planted in place of 15-gallon size trees for approximately $30,000 each year, bringing the total to $140,000 annually for three years. The total cost of the removal and replacement of all pine trees under this option would be approximately $420,000.
Option 3 - Immediate Removal of all Pine Trees
Under this option, staff would schedule the immediate removal and replacement of all pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood. This option would incur a one-time cost of approximately $350,000 for the removal and replacement of 207 pine trees in the Claraboya area. This plan includes replacement with 15-gallon size trees. In place of 15-gallon size trees, 24-inch box size trees may be planted for an approximate one-time cost of $390,000.
Option 4(a) - Increase Trimming Cycle to Three Years
Pine trees can tolerate trimming every three years. Trimming every three years will lessen the weight and density of the tree branches, reducing risk of branch failure; however, increased trimming frequency will not necessarily reduce the risk of whole tree failure. Additionally, increased trimming will remove pinecones from the trees, reducing the risk of cones falling and damaging property. This option will increase trimming costs by approximately $30,000 every three years.
Option 4(b) - Increase Trimming Cycle to Three Years (With Assessment District Funding)
Pine trees can tolerate trimming every three years. Trimming every three years will lessen the weight and density of the tree branches, reducing risk of branch failure; however, increased trimming frequency will not necessarily reduce the risk of whole tree failure. Additionally, increased trimming will remove pinecones from the trees, reducing the risk of cones falling and damaging property. This option will increase trimming costs by approximately $30,000 every three years.
The City could form a special assessment district under the Landscape and Lighting District (LLD) for the shortened trimming cycle. Through a special assessment district, the fees for increased trimming would be assessed through an annual LLD assessment and used for the three-year trimming cycle. The creation of an assessment district would cost about $5,000 and requires a Proposition 218 no-contest vote process. If this option is selected, staff will bring back the required elements to initiate this option.
Claraboya Pine Tree Benefits
Throughout the community input process, staff received questions regarding the environmental benefits of the pine trees in the Claraboya neighborhood and the subsequent loss of benefits should the trees be removed. This information is gathered using the i-Tree Eco tool and includes carbon storage, carbon sequestration, avoided water runoff, and pollution removal data. The complete Benefits Summary of Trees by Species is included as Attachment B.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
COMMITTEE REVIEW
On November 17, 2025, the Sustainability Committee received and filed this report. The Committee requested that environmental benefit information be included with this item moving forward. Members of the Sustainability Committee also requested information regarding avian activity in the Claraboya neighborhood. Additionally, the Committee expressed that they were not in favor of Option 3 (Immediate Removal of all Pine Trees). An excerpt of the draft November 17, 2025 Sustainability Committee Meeting minutes is included as Attachment C.
On November 19, 2025, the Tree Committee unanimously recommended Option 1 (Keep with Standard). An excerpt of the draft November 19, 2025 Tree Committee Meeting minutes is included as Attachment D.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jeremy Swan Cari Dillman
Community Services Director Community Services Manager
Attachments:
A - Claraboya Neighborhood Street Tree Survey Results
B - i-Tree Benefits Summary of Trees by Species
C - Excerpt from the Draft 11-17-25 Sustainability Committee Meeting Minutes
D - Excerpt from the Draft 11-19-25 Tree Committee Meeting Minutes