Tree Technical Manual

 "Sustaining trees in Palo Alto’s developed environment presents a challenge, requiring careful planning and vigilant maintenance. The vestiges of the City’s original abundant oak and redwood environs, so well adapted to much of this region, are increasingly vulnerable after more than a century of development. Meeting this challenge, the Tree Preservation and Management Regulations were codified in 1997, adding Chapter 8.10 to Title 8 - Trees and Vegetation of the Palo Alto Municipal Code. The ordinance complements the City’s Tree Management Program for street and parkland trees.

Tree Preservation and Management Regulations are the City’s primary regulatory tool to provide for orderly protection of specified trees, to promote the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for the residents of the City, to protect property values and to avoid significant negative impacts on adjacent properties. By assuring preservation and protection through regulations and standards of care, these resources will remain significant contributions to the landscape, streets and parks — and continue to help define the unique character of Palo Alto.



The Tree Technical Manual is a separately published document issued by the City Manager, through the Departments of Planning and Community Environment and Public Works to establish specific technical regulations, standards and specifications necessary to implement the Ordinance, and to achieve the City’s tree preservation goals."

(June, 2001 First Edition)

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Tree Technical Manual

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