Commission to Consider Planting Native Tree Species on East Anapamu Street

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October 8, 2024

City advisory group recommends that all future plantings on the 300 to 800 blocks are California native coast live oaks rather than Italian stone pines.

On Thursday, October 3, the Street Tree Advisory Committee, a City advisory group composed of appointed community members with horticultural and arboricultural experience, recommended changing the current street tree designation for the 300 to 800 blocks of East Anapamu Street from the Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea) to the California native coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). A block's street tree designation determines what trees will be planted and maintained alongside that particular portion of street. This proposal follows many years of tree decline and failures along the street as well as a comprehensive safety assessment completed earlier this year.

No existing trees will be affected by this process.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to consider this recommendation on Wednesday, October 23.

Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Council Chambers, City Hall
735 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

The Committee recommendation introduces a tree species better suited to the street conditions. Reasons for this change include that coast live oaks grow well in areas adjacent to asphalt, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and overhead power lines. As they mature, the oaks will recreate the dense canopy that the century-old Italian stone pines once offered.

In 2001, the City adopted the California native coast live oak as one of its two official City trees. The City Council selected the oak to symbolize strength, longevity, and historic preservation. Native to the region, coast live oaks are well-adapted to the local environment and provide valuable food sources and habitat for wildlife.

The parkways along East Anapamu Street currently house 46 Italian stone pines, which will receive continued care by the City's Urban Forestry Program. Once a final decision on the street tree designation is made, new trees can be planted in the vacant tree wells along the street. There are approximately 25 locations available for planting. The City's Urban Forestry Program will replant this winter to begin to restore the tree canopy.

Members of the public are welcome to submit comments to the Parks and Recreation Commission in person, in writing, or by email at [email protected]. Written comments should be received by 12:00 p.m. on October 22 to be considered during the October 23 Commission meeting.

More information about this project can be found on Anapamu Street Italian Stone Pine Pruning and Removals - SantaBarbaraCA.gov/stonepines.

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