08 Addendum.Item #8 - Street Tree Program
PREPARED BY: Nicolle Burnham
Director of Parks and Public Works
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 02/06/2024 ITEM NO: 8 ADDENDUM
DATE: February 5, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive Report and Provide Input on Town of Los Gatos Street Tree Program
REMARKS:
Attachment 2 contains public comments received between 11:01 a.m. Thursday, February 1,
2024, and 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2024.
Attachments received with the Staff Report:
1. Master Tree List
Attachment received with Addendum:
2. Public comments received between 11:01 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2024, and 11:00 a.m.
Monday, February 5, 2024.
ATTACHMENT 2
From: Kevin Arroyo
Date: February 1, 2024 at 10:39:55 PM PST
To: Rob Moore <RMoore@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Re: Master Tree List
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Here's my initial comments and I'd like to request consideration for the following native species. There's
a right tree for a right place and these are also included on nearby City lists:
Ceanothus "Ray Hartman"
Toyon - Heteromeles arbutifolia
Catalina Ironwood - Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus
Hollyleaf Cherry - Prunus ilicitfolia
Catalina Cherry - Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii
Blue Elderberry - Sambucus mexicana
Here's some general notes for the Tree List:
- Reorganize the list to place a higher emphasis on native tree species, specifically Oaks. A paragraph on
why you should choose native versus non native would be very helpful.
- Add notes next to each species. For example, some of these proposed trees may contain berries, which
is worth considering for a location. You can reference San Francisco's Public Works list as a guideline
below:
https://sfpublicworks.org/services/recommended-street-tree-and-plant-lists
From: Kevin Arroyo
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 12:44 PM
To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>; Town PPW <ppw@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Juanita Salisbury
Subject: Upcoming Town Council Meeting - Agenda Item #8 Comment- Street Tree List
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello Town Council & Public Works,
Please see my comments below for the upcoming Council Agenda item #8 regarding the Master Street
Tree List:
- Reorganize the Tree list to place a higher emphasis on planting native species; specifically keystone
species to support wildlife: Quercus, Prunus, Salix, Artostaphylos, Acer.
- Remove invasive, non native species (Bradford Pear, Aristocrat Pear, etc). These trees provide little
wildlife value and can quickly spread into nearby open spaces to displace native habitat.
- Expand the Tree notes to provide guidance with specific characteristics for planting in the right
locations. Juanita Salisbury (CC'd here) is the Director of Friends of Palo Alto Parks and provided the
attached notes for inclusion.
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ATTACHMENT 2
- Add the following native tree species to the Master list. These trees are great candidates for larger
spaces (parks, parklets), contribute greatly to biodiversity, and are already included on neighboring City
Tree Lists:
- Ceanothus "Ray Hartman"
- Toyon - Heteromeles arbutifolia
- Catalina Ironwood - Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus
- Hollyleaf Cherry - Prunus ilicitfolia
- Catalina Cherry - Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii
- Blue Elderberry - Sambucus mexicana
I appreciate your efforts to update this list and your commitment to increase biodiversity throughout
the Town.
Thank you,
Kevin Arroyo
Redacted