Urban Forest Management Program

The City’s Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining, protecting, and expanding the City’s Urban Forest. Placentia’s urban forest is a valuable segment of the community’s infrastructure and ecosystem. The City’s urban forest is comprised of over 7,000 trees located along public streets or within public parks and property. These trees provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to City residents and visitors, from shade and beauty to air quality, carbon reduction, and stormwater management. A healthy, sustained urban forest, carefully managed and cared for, will contribute significantly to the economic and environmental well-being of the City.

Urban Forest Management

Recognizing the value and benefits of the Urban Forest, the City developed a coordinated and adaptive approach to the care and maintenance of our trees. On May 7, 2019, the City Council adopted the City’s first Urban Forest Management Plan. The Plan identifies long-term preservation and enhancement objectives and key management considerations including pruning standards, forest expansion, infrastructure maintenance, environmental resources, land use, aesthetics, and community objectives. This guiding document includes best practices, technologies, and city policies while allowing for future revisions to maintain its relevance for the next 20 years. The Plan will be evaluated and revised periodically to reflect evolving conditions, new information, and updated best management practices. By planning for the urban forest, the City will ensure that it maintains this valuable resource, an investment that will provide consistent returns well into the future. Through the implementation of this Plan, the City strives to promote a safe, healthy, and diverse urban forest by preserving, managing, and enhancing tree resources, while promoting active community participation through public education and outreach.

To view and download the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan, please visit:

Urban Forest Management Program - Adopted May 2019

Urban Forest Protection Ordinance

On July 2, 2020, the City Council adopted the Urban Forest Protection Ordinance via Ordinance No. O-2020-04 amending Title 14 of the Placentia Municipal Code and, thereby codifying the Urban Forest Management Plan in an enforceable Citywide ordinance. This ordinance regulates the planting, removal, and maintenance of City trees. City trees are defined as any tree which is located in a place or area under the ownership or control of the City including but without limited to streets, parkways, open space, and City-owned property. Under this ordinance, removing any City requires City review and approval. Below are links to a copy of the Urban Forest Protection Ordinance and informational handouts regarding the tree regulations and protections including the tree removal request process.

For additional information regarding the Urban Forest Protection Ordinance or questions about Tree Removal Requests, please contact the Public Works Department at (714) 933-8148 or email us at urbanforest@placentia.org.

Forms and Guides

Expand the Forest Program

The City of Placentia is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for its new Expand the Forest Program! This program adopted as part of the City’s Urban Forest Management Program, provides residents with an opportunity to purchase and dedicate a tree to commemorate a loved one or special event. Planting a tree in a City Park is a special way to honor a loved one and also provides a gift to the whole community by contributing to the expansion of the City’s Urban Forest.

An Information Handout under Application and Guides is available to help participants learn more about the program.

Participation and Application

An application is required for participants of the Expand the Forest Program. There is a City Park Guide that includes approved tree planting locations and species for available City parks. Each park has a predetermined number of allowable tree species based on the types of trees currently located at the park. Submit a completed application indicating your park preference and tree location ID # (see City Park Guide), along with payment for the Expand the Forest Tree to the Public Works Department. The current cost is $390 for a 24-inch box tree. Once a location is selected and payment for the tree has been received, a staff member will arrange to have the tree planted by the City’s landscape maintenance contractor and contact you to schedule the planting. All participants will receive a certificate signed by the Mayor in appreciation for their tree sponsorship. Once planted, the tree would be added to the City’s urban forest inventory and maintained by the City.

If you have additional questions or concerns please see the information under Application and Guides or contact us at (714) 993-8148 or urbanforest@palcentia.org.

Application & Guides

Tree Maintenance

The City’s Facilities, Parks, and Landscape Maintenance Division provides tree care and maintenance for City-owned trees in the public right-of-way and City Parks including routine trimming, planting, and removal of dead and diseased trees. Tree trimming is performed to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased limbs and remove potential hazards to pedestrians, cyclists, vehicular traffic, buses, and emergency vehicles. The Facilities, Parks, and Landscape Maintenance Division organizes, plans, and oversees the annual tree maintenance program.

Tree Pruning Schedule

In 2017, the City implemented a new four-year tree grid pruning cycle. Please use the map below to look up the City’s current pruning schedule by address: