Valley Oak volunteer tree

[Tim Haley]

Hi Julie - Adding your Note to the Discussion Forum since it may need to be referenced later on.

-----------------------------

Here is the email from the Arborist who looked up the regs for the Valley Oak. As below, he came to the conclusion that he was able to remove a Valley Oak that was not in a stand of 4 or more, without a permit. He also verbally told me that the tree would have to be removed to prevent splitting in half and falling onto fence and street.

Julie,

It was a pleasure meeting you on Friday. I've attached a proposal regarding everything we discussed (I think I got it all!). I included the removal of the Valley Oak after reviewing the requirements for a tree removal permit in Contra Costa County. Valley Oak is listed as indigenous, but apparently only requires a permit to remove if it's part of a "stand of four or more trees". I've included the text from the county below.

Please write or call with any questions at all - I'm happy to speak with you.

Yours,

James H. Riddle
Bartlett Tree Experts
Certified Arborist #WE-10276A
ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ORDINANCE:

A permit is needed to remove a tree under the following conditions:

Trees on any property within the unincorporated area of the County that meet the following description:
• Any tree required to be planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree
• Any tree shown to be preserved on an approved tentative map, development or site plan
• Any tree designated as Heritage
• Any Tree required to be retained as a condition of approval
• Any tree that is part of a riparian, foothill woodland or oak savanna area
• Any tree part of a stand of four or more trees and is 6.5 inches in diameters measured 4 ½ from ground level and is included in the following list of indigenous trees:

• Arroyo Willow • Coast Red Elderberry
• Bigleaf Maple • Coast Redwood
• Black Cottonwood • Digger Pine
• Blue Oak • Fremont Cottonwood
• Box Elder • Interior Live Oak
• California Sycamore • Knobcone Pine
• California Buckeye • Madrone
• California Juniper • Tanoak or Tanbark Oak
• California Black Oak • Toyon
• California Bay or Laurel • Valley Oak
• California Black Walnut • White Alder
• Canyon Live Oak • Yellow Willow
• Coast Live Oak

Section 2

Or any tree measuring 6 ½ inches diameter measured 4 ½ from ground level, or any multi-stemmed tree with the sum of the circumferences measuring 40 inches or larger, measured 4 ½ from ground level, or any significant grouping of trees, (groves of four or more trees) that is locate on any of the properties specified below
• Any developed property within any commercial, professional office or industrial district
• Any undeveloped property within any district or private property that can be subdivided.
• Any area designated on the general plan for recreational purposes or open space;
• Any area designated in the county general plan open space element as visually significant riparian or ridge line vegetation and where the tree is adjacent to or part of a riparian foothill woodland or oak savanna area. (Ords. 94-59, 94-22)

Permit Process: For application please call: Community Development for permit 925-335-1381