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6.1 C.1 Page 3 time, tree removal is necessary. . Roots must be pruned to some degree in almost all cases in order to remove and replace concrete sidewalks (City Standard) adjacent to large, existing trees. Temporary asphalt sidewalks are not an approved City standard. . Staff has both increased the distance from the tree and reduced the depth that root pruning has been performed over the course of the program. The Tree Policy Task Force recommendations in 1999 supported the modification of the public right-of- way to provide the largest space possible for trees, and supported more assertive easement solicitation by staff. . Root pruning of trees does increase the risk of tree failure and dieback in trees. Redwood City's climate provides reduced risk following root pruning due to the drier climate, lack of summer storms when the leaves are in full canopy, and lack of snow or ice loads. . The introduction of rubber sidewalk panels (in lieu of concrete) greatly reduces the need to root prune and allows for acceptable walking surfaces adjacent to trees. The City Engineer has accepted the rubber material for alternative use Public Works Services staff will monitor the performance of the material. History of Sidewalk Proiect The City's sidewalk repair program was initiated in 1984. The stated policy objective was to repair sidewalks without removing all of the trees along a street. The program goals were developed by staff to retain 80% or more of the existing large trees during the sidewalk repair process. The first root pruning began with the first Sidewalk Repair and Tree Program project in 1985. Prior to this program any root cutting performed may have been randomly performed during utility and sidewalk repairs. In 1998, the first public review of the Sidewalk Repair and Tree Program was initiated by the City Council. In November 1999, five policy changes were recommended by the Community Tree Policy Task Force and accepted by Council: 1. Modify planting sites to provide the largest tree growing and planting area feasible; avoid planting small scale trees. 2. Plant trees in vacant planting sites. 3. Better notify the public of work scheduled in their neighborhood. 4. Trees will be planted at the discretion of the City and be watered by the City for the first two years if necessary. 5. Phase necessary tree removals over time and interplant to lessen the impact on neighborhoods where many trees must be removed. Additional changes implemented as a result of the task force recommendations: . The title of the program was changed from Sidewalk Repair and Tree Program to Tree Preservation and Sidewalk Repair Program. . An additional goal was added to avoid removing more than two trees in a row while keeping within the 80% retention goal along a street. . The City pursued sidewalk maintenance easements more vigorously in order to re- construct the sidewalk farther away from the tree to root prune farther from the tree. TreFFailure DaIS Analuysis Page 2 of 6 -- ____,_d___.. .. ,.'~--- .. ...... _. ...~_.~.. ""---'- '-'~-" ,'.-.--.-.------ ---------_. ,--~--,_._.------..~.