City Tree Inventory to Begin in El Cerrito

Starting the week of Feb. 25, four tree inventory specialists from Davey Resources Group will be inspecting more than 16,000 city-owned trees along El Cerrito streets and in city parks, according to a city press release. The specialists will be wearing yellow safety vests and carrying electronic instruments.

The City of El Cerrito has contracted with Davey Resources Group for a municipal tree inventory as part of an urban forestry management plan adopted by the city in 2007, the release says. The information collected by the tree specialists will be used to evaluate tree maintenance needs, count vacant tree sites and quantify the environmental and economic value of the trees.

The Municipal Tree Inventory project includes:

1. A physical inventory of an estimated 16,250 city trees and vacant tree sites that will update the condition of the trees since the last inventory in 2007.

2. An economic analysis of El Cerrito’s urban forest that includes descriptive resource benefits, quantified environmental values and a report on the composition and condition of our urban forest

3. Tree management software featuring work planning, work orders, budget reporting capabilities and general urban forest management

4. Public access to general and specific information on El Cerrito’s urban forest and individual trees including environmental qualities and value assessment.

The city received a tree inventory grant from the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CalFire) to conduct the survey. The grant will cover 75 percent of the $74,338 cost of the project.

In the spring, the city will host a public meeting that will includepresentation of the inventory findings, a dis0lay of the Tree Keeper software and a question and answer session.

For general information about the tree inventory process, visit http://www.davey.com/services/urban-forestry/tree-inventory.aspx

For questions about the tree inventory in El Cerrito or to request notification of the date of the community meeting, call the Public Works Department at 510-215-4369.