The City of Irvine proactively maintains our urban forest to ensure public safety, promote tree health, and preserve the long-term benefits trees provide to the community.
Tree Maintenance & Pruning
How the City Maintains Trees
How the City Maintains Trees
A team of certified arborists oversees all tree maintenance activities, including pruning, inspections, and removals. All work is performed in accordance with City of Irvine specifications and ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards, and is carried out by a contracted tree maintenance company under the direction of City staff.
The City uses a proactive approach to care for more than 60,000 City-maintained trees located along streets, in parks, and throughout public spaces.
Four-Year Pruning Cycle
Four-Year Pruning Cycle
City-maintained trees are pruned on a proactive four-year cycle, with Irvine divided into geographic zones. Each year, crews focus on a different zone to provide consistent, citywide care.
Trees on More Frequent Cycles
Trees on More Frequent Cycles
Some tree species require more frequent maintenance due to their growth habits, structure, or location:
• Ficus trees: Pruned regularly to manage size and reduce impacts to sidewalks and infrastructure
• Eucalyptus windrows: Maintained annually to support safety and preserve their historic form
• Palm trees: Trimmed annually for safety, visibility, and appearance
What to Expect During Tree Maintenance
What to Expect During Tree Maintenance
During scheduled maintenance, residents may notice temporary impacts in the work area. These are necessary to safely complete the work and protect both the public and crews.
You may experience:
• Temporary sidewalk closures with pedestrian detours
• Lane closures or traffic control measures to allow safe equipment operation
• Short-term impacts to traffic circulation and parking
• Noise from equipment and crews during working hours
• Increased activity in the area, including trucks, chippers, and work crews
To view the City tree maintenance schedule in your neighborhood, please refer to our annual zone maintenance map.
Why Trees are Pruned or Removed
Why Trees are Pruned or Removed
Pruning helps to:
• Maintain safe clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, and infrastructure
• Improve tree structure and long-term health
• Reduce risk during storms and high winds
• Enhance the overall appearance of the landscape/streetscape
Tree removal may occur when a tree:
• Is dead, dying, or in poor condition
• Poses a safety risk
• Has non-correctable conflicts with infrastructure
• Cannot be effectively restored through pruning or treatment
The City does not remove trees solely due to typical characteristics, such as leaf drop, fruit, bark shedding, or other natural debris. When removals are necessary, the City prioritizes replacement planting to maintain and expand overall canopy coverage.
Frequent Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was my tree pruned?
A: Trees are pruned on a scheduled cycle or as needed to maintain safety, improve structure, and support long-term health.
Q: Why does pruning sometimes look severe?
A: Structural pruning may remove larger branches to correct growth patterns, reduce risk, and ensure the tree develops a strong, stable form over time.
Q: Why wasn’t my tree pruned this year?
A: Your neighborhood may be scheduled in a different zone of the City’s four-year pruning cycle. Check the map at the following link to see when your area is scheduled. (insert map link)
Q: Why was a tree removed near my home?
A: Trees are removed when they are dead, declining, or pose a safety concern. In some cases, removals are also necessary due to infrastructure conflicts or construction.
Q: Will the tree be replaced?
A: Yes. The City prioritizes replacing removed trees whenever feasible to maintain and enhance Irvine’s urban forest.
Q: Why doesn’t the City remove trees that are messy?
A: Trees naturally drop leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, and other debris as part of their normal growth cycle. While this can require routine cleanup, these characteristics are not considered valid reasons for tree removal. The City prioritizes preserving healthy trees due to the many environmental, social, and economic benefits they provide.
Q: Can I request tree maintenance?
A: Yes, residents can submit a service request through the City to report concerns or request an inspection by calling 949-724-7600.
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