Walnut Pushes to Prevent Vandalism of Public Trees

  The city of Walnut has a new ordinance and manual designed to protect trees in the public rights-of-way from vandalism and prohibit unauthorized planting.

Crews maintaining Walnut's green spaces have reported that public trees have been severely trimmed or removed by homeowners or contractors not employed by the city, said Hector Kistemann, deputy director of community services.  They also found that trees have been planted in public spaces without city authorization.
Staff suggested amending the city's existing ordinance to the City Council in April at a study session.

Last week, the council voted 5-0 to approve a first reading of the ordinance and a corresponding tree policy manual.
Mayor Pro Tem Antonio "Tony" Cartagena said that some members of the community might not be aware of city's concerns about the trees.

"It is imperative for us to be able to disseminate the information on our policies on trees," he said. "We have some residents planting trees on the (Lighting and Open Space Maintenance Districts). Perhaps they don't know because they come from other cities who are not as stringent."

Kistemann said Walnut already has an ordinance in place that protects heritage trees, specifically oak and walnut. 

"This is for trees of all varieties that in our public spaces," he said. 

Another benefit of the new law is that the city would be recognized as a Tree City USA, which would aid in making Walnut eligible for tree grants in the future.

Outgoing Mayor Tom King recalled introducing the city's woodlands ordinance some years ago to protect oak trees.  That was in relation to new development going in, he said.

When the city trims trees, it is done under the supervision of an arborist, he added.

"The problem we are getting is we have unscrupulous laborers who basically come in and just cut trees off at the top," he said.  "And with certain types of trees....they kill the tree. That's why these ordinances are so important."