HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5a. 2025 Engineering Standards Update to the Street Trees Major List
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: 2025 ENGINEERING STANDARDS UPDATE, STREET TREES MAJOR
LIST (8020)
FROM: Walter Gault, Urban Forestry Program Coordinator / City Arborist
Phone Number: (805) 781-7578
Email: wgault@slocity.org
1.0 RECOMMENDATION
Review proposed updates to the Street Trees Major List (Engineering Standard 8020)
and provide recommendations to the City Arborist.
2.0 BACKGROUND
Municipal Code Section 12.24.040 states that the Tree Committee, with the assistance of
the Public W orks and Community Development departments, has developed and will
maintain a Street Tree Master List and a Street Trees Major Streets List which shall be
adopted by resolution of the City Council and shall be on file in the Public Works
Department, Engineering Standards. These documents shall specify the species of trees
suitable and desirable for planting in certain areas in order to establish a diverse urban
forest.
3.0 DISCUSSION
The City is updating its Engineering Standards in 2025. Updates to the City’s Master Tree
List (Attachment A) that were reviewed by the Tree Committee in October 2022 but have
yet to be reflected in the Street Trees Major List (Attachment B). Staff is proposing the
changes proposed to the Street Trees Major List below (and highlighted in Attachment C)
to correct errors on the document, update cultivars to reflect nursery availability , and
make some minor revisions based on staff observations. Additionally, some species on
the Street Trees Major Lists are either no longer available or are no longer suitable for
the City’s climate or urban environment.
Below is a list of the recommended changes proposed by staff. Links are provided that
give more detailed information about the tree species discussed below.
Replace Platanus x hispanica
It’s widely used on the list, but it is no longer in nursery production
Replace with Platanus x acerifolia ‘Columbia’, a more anthracnose resistant
cultivar than ‘Bloodgood’
At creek crossings use Platanus racemosa
Meeting Date: 2/24/2025
Item Number: 5a
Time Estimate: 30 minutes
Page 25 of 35
Item 5a
Remove Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle)
No longer on the Street Tree Master List
Update Ginkgo references
Ginkgo is utilized as a specific ‘Fairmont’ cultivar and then broadly
Adjust all to be Ginko biloba ‘Princeton Sentry’, a faster growing cultivar
Remove Metrosideros excelsa
Not a performer in SLO’s climate
Remove it from Downtown accent trees list
Remove Magnolia grandifolia ‘little gem’ and Magnolia ‘Majestic Beauty’ for all entries
Not a suitable street tree due to root damage
Susceptible to aphids and scale
Consider replacing ‘Little Gem” with Michelia doltsopa, a similar looking species
with low root damage potential.
Remove Fagus sylvatica (European Beech)
High water use, not suitable for climate
Remove Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine) and Hesperocyparis macropcarpa
(Monterey Cypress)
Not desirable as street trees
Adjust Quercus (oak) entries to be broader (e.g. Quercus sp. “evergreen”)
Quercus ilex (Holm Oak) is susceptible to sooty mold on its leaves and has
epicormic sprouts along trunk
Quercus rubra (Red Oak) and palustris (Pin Oak) are eastern oak species
4.0 ACTIONS
4.1 Recommend support of the proposed updates to the Street Trees Major
Streets List (Engineering Standard 8020) and propose adjustments. This action
may include recommendations to modify the proposed updates.
4.2 Continue the review to a hearing date certain, or uncertain. An action continuing
review of the updates to the Street Trees Major Streets List (Engineering
Standard 8020) should include direction to staff on pertinent issues.
5.0 ATTACHMENTS
A - Updated Proposed Master Tree List
B - Street Trees Major Streets Engineering Standard 8020
C - Engineering Standard 8020 Highlighted
Page 26 of 35
All Trees for San Luis Obispo Botanical Name Existing
City Tree
New Addition
City Tree
Private
yard ok
MULGA Acacia aneura x
BAILEY ACACIA Acacia baileyana x
BLACKWOOD ACACIA Acacia melanoxylon x
WEEPING ACACIA Acacia pendula x
SHOESTRING ACACIA Acacia stenophylla x
PINEAPPLE GUAVA Acca sellowiana x
BIGLEAF MAPLE Acer macrophyllum x (native)
BOX ELDER Acer negundo x
EVERGREEN MAPLE Acer paxii x
CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE Aesculus californica x
AFRICAN FERN PINE Afrocarpus falcatus x
PEPPERMINT TREE Agonis flexuosa x
SILK TREE Albizia julibrissin x
SYDNEY RED GUM Angophora costata x
MARINA MADRONE Arbutus 'Marina'x
KING PALM Archontophoenix cunninghamiana TC ?
QUEENSLAND PITTOSPORUM Auranticarpa rhombifolia x
HONG KONG ORCHID TREE Bauhinia x blakeana x
FLAME BOTTLE TREE Brachychiton acerifolius x
QUEENSLAND LACEBARK Brachychiton discolor x
KURRAJONG Brachychiton populneus x
MEXICAN BLUE PALM Brahea armata TC ?
GUADALUPE PALM Brahea edulis TC ?
PAPER MULBERRY Broussonetia papyrifera TC ?
PINDO PALM Butia odorata TC ?
LEMON BOTTLEBRUSH Callistemon citrinus x
WEEPING BOTTLEBRUSH Callistemon viminalis x
INCENSE CEDAR Calocedrus decurrens x
CAPE CHESTNUT Calodendrum capense x
GOLD MEDALLION TREE Cassia leptophylla x
RIVER SHE-OAK Casuarina cunninghamiana x
City of San Luis Obispo — Master Tree List
Page 27 of 35
All Trees for San Luis Obispo Botanical Name Existing
City Tree
New Addition
City Tree
Private
yard ok
City of San Luis Obispo — Master Tree List
BRAZILIAN CEDARWOOD Cedrela fissilis x
ATLAS CEDAR Cedrus atlantica x
DEODAR CEDAR Cedrus deodara x
FLOSS SILK TREE Ceiba speciosa x
EUROPEAN HACKBERRY Celtis australis x
NETLEAF HACKBERRY Celtis reticulata x
CHINESE HACKBERRY Celtis sinensis x
CAROB TREE Ceratonia siliqua x
EASTERN REDBUD Cercis canadensis x
WESTERN REDBUD Cercis occidentalis x
MEDITERRANEAN FAN PALM Chamaerops humilis x
DESERT WILLOW Chilopsis linearis x
CHINESE FRINGE TREE Chionanthus retusus x
CAMPHOR TREE Cinnamomum camphora x
GHOST GUM Corymbia aparrerinja x
LEMON-SCENTED GUM Corymbia citriodora x
RED FLOWERING GUM Corymbia ficifolia x
SPOTTED GUM Corymbia maculata x
SMOKE TREE Cotinus coggygria x
CARROT WOOD Cupaniopsis anacardioides x
INDIAN ROSEWOOD Dalbergia sissoo x
HOP BUSH OR A'ALI'I Dodonaea viscosa x
TRIANGLE PALM Dypsis decaryi TC ?
TEXAS EBONY Ebenopsis ebano x
JAPANESE BLUEBERRY TREE Elaeocarpus sylvestris x
BRONZE LOQUAT Eriobotrya deflexa x
JAPANESE LOQUAT Eriobotrya japonica x
SOUTH AFRICAN CORAL TREE Erythrina caffra x
NAKED CORAL TREE Erythrina coralloides x
COCKSPUR CORAL TREE Erythrina crista-galli x
SILVER DOLLAR TREE Eucalyptus cinerea x
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All Trees for San Luis Obispo Botanical Name Existing
City Tree
New Addition
City Tree
Private
yard ok
City of San Luis Obispo — Master Tree List
RED-CAP GUM Eucalyptus erythrocorys x
WHITE IRONBARK Eucalyptus leucoxylon x
NICHOL'S WILLOWLEAFED PEPPERMINT Eucalyptus nicholii x
SILVER DOLLAR GUM Eucalyptus polyanthemos x
RED IRONBARK Eucalyptus sideroxylon x
SWAMP MALLEE Eucalyptus spathulata x
CORAL GUM Eucalyptus torquata x
EDIBLE FIG Ficus carica x
INDIAN LAUREL FIG OR CHINESE BANYAN Ficus microcarpa x
RUSTY-LEAF FIG Ficus rubiginosa x
AUSTRALIAN WILLOW Geijera parviflora x
MAIDENHAIR TREE Ginkgo biloba x
SILK OAK TREE Grevillea robusta x
GOLDEN TRUMPET TREE Handroanthus chrysotrichus x
PINK TRUMPET TREE Handroanthus heptaphyllus x
SOUTH AFRICAN WILD PLUM Harpephyllum caffrum TC ?
TECATE CYPRESS Hesperocyparis forbesii x
MONTEREY CYPRESS Hesperocyparis macrocarpa x
TOYON Heteromeles arbutifolia x
SWEETSHADE Hymenosporum flavum x
JACARANDA Jacaranda mimosifolia x
CHINESE FLAME TREE Koelreuteria bipinnata x
GOLDENRAIN TREE Koelreuteria paniculata x
PRIMROSE TREE Lagunaria patersonia x
SWEET BAY Laurus nobilis x
AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE Leptospermum laevigatum x
BRISBANE BOX Lophostemon confertus x
CATALINA IRONWOOD Lyonothamnus floribundus subsp. Aspleniifolius x
SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA Magnolia grandiflora x
MAYTEN TREE Maytenus boaria x
HEATH MELALEUCA Melaleuca ericifolia x
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All Trees for San Luis Obispo Botanical Name Existing
City Tree
New Addition
City Tree
Private
yard ok
City of San Luis Obispo — Master Tree List
FLAXLEAF PAPERBARK Melaleuca linariifolia x
PINK MELALEUCA Melaleuca nesophila x
PAPERBARK OR CAJEPUT TREE Melaleuca quinquenervia x
PRICKLY MELALEUCA Melaleuca styphelioides x
CHINABERRY Melia azedarach x
DAWN REDWOOD Metasequoia glyptostroboides x
NEW ZEALAND CHRISTMAS TREE Metrosideros excelsa x
SWEET MICHELIA Michelia doltsopa x
OLIVE TREE Olea europaea x
DESERT MUSEUM PALO VERDE Parkinsonia x 'Desert Museum'x
CANARY ISLAND DATE PALM Phoenix canariensis TC ?
PYGMY DATE PALM Phoenix roebelenii TC ?
FRASER PHOTINIA Photinia x fraseri x
CANARY ISLAND PINE Pinus canariensis x
MONDELL PINE Pinus eldarica x
ALEPPO PINE Pinus halepensis x
ITALIAN STONE PINE Pinus pinea x
TORREY PINE Pinus torreyana x
CHINESE PISTACHE Pistacia chinensis x
MEXICAN SYCAMORE Platanus mexicana x
CALIFORNIA SYCAMORE Platanus racemosa x
YEW PINE Podocarpus macrophyllus x
HOLLYLEAF CHERRY Prunus ilicifolia x
EVERGREEN PEAR Pyrus kawakamii x
COAST LIVE OAK Quercus agrifolia x
ENGELMANN OAK Quercus engelmannii x
HUNGARIAN OAK Quercus frainetto x
HOLLY OAK Quercus ilex x
VALLEY OAK Quercus lobata x
BUR OAK Quercus macrocarpa x
CORK OAK Quercus suber x
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All Trees for San Luis Obispo Botanical Name Existing
City Tree
New Addition
City Tree
Private
yard ok
City of San Luis Obispo — Master Tree List
ISLAND OAK Quercus tomentella x
SOUTHERN LIVE OAK Quercus virginiana x
INTERIOR LIVE OAK Quercus wislizeni x
SILVERLEAF OAK Quercus hypoleucoides x
PEPPER TREE Schinus molle x
AFRICAN SUMAC Searsia lancea x
FIREWHEEL TREE Stenocarpus sinuatus x
QUEEN PALM Syagrus romanzoffiana TC ?
BRUSH CHERRY Syzygium australe x
TIPU TREE Tipuana tipu x
WINDMILL PALM Trachycarpus fortunei TC ?
WATER GUM Tristaniopsis laurina x
CHINESE ELM Ulmus parvifolia x
CALIFORNIA LAUREL Umbellularia californica x
CALIFORNIA FAN PALM Washingtonia filifera TC ?
MEXICAN FAN PALM Washingtonia robusta TC ?
CHITALPA x Chitalpa tashkentensis x
SHINY XYLOSMA Xylosma congesta x
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Revised List
Revised List
New Border
MAY 2018
STREET TREES
MAJOR STREETS
8020
KH MH 1‐18
BL BL 11‐06
JDL WAP 1‐98
Page 1 of 2
Note: Percentages refer to mixture of tree types in project area
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT %
Ficus microcarpa 10
Quercus ilex 20
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 30
Gingko biloba 'Fairmont' 30
Olea europaea 'Swan Hill'-grafted
fruitless 10
Downtown Accent Trees
Jacaranda mimosifolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Corymbia ficifolia
Cassia leptophylla
Metrosideros excelsa
Lagerstroemia hybrid*
BROAD STREET %
Monterey St. to Pacific St.
Lophostemon confertus 60
Gingko biloba 'Fairmont' 40
Pacific St. to High St.
Platanus x hispanica 40
Pistacia chinensis 40
Ginkgo biloba 'Fairmont' 20
High St. to City Limits
Platanus x hispanica 30
Quercus palustris 20
Pistacia chinensis* 20
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 15
Lophostemon confertus 15
*Substitute-south of Orcutt
At creek crossings
Platanus x hispanica 100
CALIFORNIABLVD. %
Cal Poly to Mill St.
Koelreutaria bipinnata 25
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 25
Cinnamomum camphora 30
Ulmus parvifolia 20
Mill St. to San Luis Dr.
Ulmus parvifolia 30
Metrosideros excelsus 40
Lophostemon confertus 30
San Luis Dr. to Johnson Ave.
Quercus agrifolia 60
Ulmus parvifolia 40
At creek crossings
Platanus x hispanica 100
FOOTHILL BLVD. %
Magnolia "Majestic Beauty" 30
Koelreutaria bipinnata 30
Platanus x hispanica 40
At creek crossings
Platanus x hispanica 100
GRAND AVENUE %
Magnolia 'Majestic Beauty' 50
Platanus x hispanica 50
HIGUERA STREET (east end) %
California Blvd. to Santa Rosa St.
Use Downtown Accent Trees
HIGUERA STREET (Downtown) %
Santa Rosa St. to Nipomo St.
Use Downtown District
HIGUERA STREET (west end) %
Nipomo St. to Madonna Rd.
Use Downtown Accent Trees
Madonna Rd. to City Limit
Pinus canariensis 30
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 30
Hymenosporum flavum 20
Quercus (Red Oak subgenus)1 20
JOHNSON AVENUE %
Hwy. 101 to SPRR underpass
Magnolia 'Majestic Beauty' 20
Pistacia chinensis 30
Quercus palustris 30
Hymenosporum flavum 20
UPRR underpass to Laurel Lane
Quercus agrifolia 20
Pistacia chinensis 20
Ulmus parvifolia 20
Hymenosporum flavum 20
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 20
Laurel Lane to Orcutt Rd.
Koelreutaria bipinnata 20
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 20
Ulmus parvifolia 20
Jacaranda mimosifolia 20
Hymenosporum flavum 20
LAUREL LANE %
Platanus x hispanica 50
Quercus suber 20
Jacaranda mimosifolia 15
Gingko biloba 15
LOS OSOS VALLEYROAD %
Lophostemon confertus 20
Quercus tomentella 20
Fagus sylvatica 20
Quercus agrifolia 20
Pinus caneriensis 20
MADONNA ROAD %
Pinus canariensis 25
Pistacia chinensis 25
Quercus agrifolia 25
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 25
MARSH STREET %
Use Downtown District
MARGARITA AVENUE %
Platanus x hispanica 30
Hymenosporum flavum 30
Quercus palustris 40
MONTEREY STREET %
Use Downtown District
ORCUTTROAD %
Pistachia chinensis 60
Lophostemon confertus 20
Quercus agrifolia 20
At creek crossings
Platanus x hispanica 100
PRADO ROAD %
Platanus x hispanica 40
Pinus canariensis 30
Quercus palustris 30
SANTA ROSA STREET %
Highland St. to Murray St.
Quercus agrifolia 80
Pistacia chinensis 20
Murray St. to Marsh St.
Pistacia chinensis 30
Koelreutaria bipinnata 20
Ficus microcarpa 10
Lophostemon confertus 30
Jacaranda mimosifolia 10
At Creek intersections
Platanus x hispanica 100
SOUTH STREET %
Tristaniopsis laurina 20
Jacaranda mimosifolia 20
Ginkgo biloba 'Fairmont' 20
Platanus x hispanica 20
Quercus palustris 20
TANKFARM ROAD %
East of Broad St.
Platanus x hispanica 50
Lophostemon confertus 20
Eucalyptus torquata 30
West of Broad St.
Platanus x hispanica 25
Cinnamomum camphora 25
Quercus agrifolia 25
Quercus rubra (Q. coccinea) 25
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