Trees
Saratoga is primarily a residential community where the economic values of properties are closely tied to the rural attractiveness of the city, much of which is attributable to the trees. The intent of the City's Tree Regulations is to provide a sustainable urban forest and to balance the rights of property owners with basic standards for the maintenance, removal and replacement of trees.
Protected Trees
All trees are protected if they have a trunk diameter of 10 inches or more (31 inches in circumference measured from 4.5 feet above the ground), regardless of species.
Additionally, the following native trees are also protected if they have a diameter of 6 inches or more (or 19 inch circumference or more measured at 4.5 feet above ground):
| Common Tree Name | Botanical Tree Name |
|---|---|
| Big Leaf Maple | Acer macrophyllum |
| Black Oak | Quercus kelloggii |
| Blue Oak | Quercus douglasii |
| California Buckeye | Aesculus californica |
| Coast Live Oak | Quercus agrifolia |
| Coast Redwood | Sequoia sempervirens |
| Douglas Fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii |
| Scrub Oak | Quercus dumosa |
| Tan Oak | Lithocarpus desniflorus |
| Valley Oak | Quercus lobata |
Permits are needed before the removal of a tree protected by City Code, or pruning that is not consistent with International Society of Arboriculture pruning guidelines. Tree preservation plans are needed before any construction work is performed under protected trees.