TO: TREE COMMITTEE
FROM: JEREMY SWAN, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
DATE: MARCH 18, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
REQUEST FOR TREE REMOVAL - 2243 N INDIAN HILL BOULEVARD
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SUMMARY
The property owner at 2243 North Indian Hill Boulevard is requesting the removal of one City-owned California sycamore tree located within the right-of-way in front of the property. The resident cites ongoing property damage, infrastructure concerns, health issues, and nuisance debris. The property owner’s request is included as Attachment A.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Tree Committee recommend that the Community and Human Services Commission deny the request for the removal of the California sycamore tree at 2243 North Indian Hill Boulevard.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Recommend that the Community and Human Services Commission approve the request for the removal of the tree at 2243 North Indian Hill Boulevard and the replanting of two trees, as required by the Tree Policies and Guidelines Manual, at the property owner’s expense, for an estimated total cost of $1,820.
B. Refer the matter back to staff for additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The removal cost of a tree is determined by its diameter at breast height (DBH). The cost to remove the tree in question is $49 per DBH. The tree measures approximately twenty inches DBH, for an approximate removal cost of $980. If approved for removal, two replacement trees will be planted, as required by the Tree Policies and Guidelines Manual. The cost to plant two 24”-box-sized trees is $840. The total estimated cost of removal and replacement is $1,820.
The staff cost to prepare this report is estimated at $1,650 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The property owner at 2243 North Indian Hill Boulevard is requesting the removal of one California sycamore tree adjacent to his property. There is one viable planting site at this property, in which the tree in question is currently planted. The sycamore tree is located in the center of the front yard of the property, within the City right-of-way. The owner is requesting that the tree be removed due to ongoing property damage, infrastructure concerns, health issues, and nuisance debris. Photos of the tree are included as Attachment B.
The property owner states, “Since moving into this home, we have had to file three separate claims for driveway replacement or removal due to damage caused by the tree roots.” Additionally, the property owner is concerned that the roots will cause further damage to infrastructure such as plumbing and sewer lines. The property owner reports that they have had four floods in the home for various reasons and that they are concerned with the potential for future property and infrastructure damage.
The property owner has filed four claims for damage against the City. In 2008, the property owner filed a claim for damage to the driveway, presumably caused by City tree roots. The City settled the claim in the property owner’s favor, paying $12,568 to the property owner. In 2014, the property owner once again filed a claim for tree root damage to the driveway. The City settled the claim, paying $2008 to the property owner. In 2019, the property owner submitted a third claim for driveway and sewer damage due to City tree roots. The claim was settled in favor of the property owner in the amount of $6,000. The most recent claim, in 2025, was for tree root damage to the driveway and front porch. The City settled the claim, paying $27,500 to the property owner. Payments for the four property damage claims, all settled in the property owner’s favor, total $48,076.
The property owner also states, “We have recently learned that we suffer from severe allergies to the pollen and other materials produced by this specific tree.” The Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute cites allergies as a potential health issue for the California sycamore; however, the property owner did not provide any documentation to support such health concerns.
Finally, the property owner claims that the tree makes it difficult to park cars on their property due to nuisance debris, because the tree drops sap and honeydew on their vehicles. The driveway is U-shaped, with ample areas to park away from the tree. The tree is likely suffering from lack of water, which attracts various insects to feed off the tree. The sap or honeydew is a byproduct of the pest. Proper watering of the tree will help the tree to fend off pests, lessening the sap and honeydew droppings.
In accordance with the appeal process, the City Arborist conducted a Level I inspection on the California Sycamore tree at 2243 North Indian Hill Boulevard and noted the following:
Tree F-1 has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of approximately 20 inches and a height of 30-45 feet. The tree is in good health with no observable structural defects. The tree was pruned in January 2024 as part of routine grid trimming. The approximate value of the tree is $6,080.
Per the Tree Policies and Guidelines Manual, reasons not valid for tree removal include:
• Nuisance debris.
• Messy fruit.
• Nuisances created from non-lethal pests and diseases.
• Roots getting into the sewer lines resulting from deteriorating infrastructure.
• Hardscape damage if a feasible, economic solution exists to save the tree.
• General dislike of certain species or variety of trees.
• Surface root intrusion.
• Converting to water-wise landscaping.
Based on the above-mentioned conditions, the tree would not be considered for removal. For this reason, staff recommends denying the request for removal. However, Claremont Municipal Code Section 12.26.020 authorizes the Community and Human Services Commission to grant approval of such requests, if it finds that not removing the tree would result in a burden on the property owner that substantially outweighs the benefit to the public of maintaining the tree. If the request for removal is granted, the City Arborist will work with the resident to select the best viable planting sites and species for replanting.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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 paper copy, please contact the Community Services Department.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Jeremy Swan Cari Dillman
Community Services Director Community Services Manager
Attachments:
A - Request from Property Owner - 2243 N Indian Hill Boulevard
B - Photos of California Sycamore Tree - 2243 N Indian Hill Boulevard