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Community Forest Advisory Committee

Made up of community representatives from each Council District and a Mayor’s representative, the community representatives are nominated by City Council members and appointed by the Mayor. Non-voting City representatives include the City Forest Officer and staff from StreetsLA, Urban Forestry Division, City Plants, Recreation and Parks, Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment, Planning, Department of Building and Safety, Bureau of Engineering, and any departments whose work impacts trees.

Table of Contents

Our Mission

Achieve a healthy, safe, and enduring Los Angeles community forest ecosystem for wildlife as well as for the enjoyment and well being of all Angelenos.

Duties of the committee include the following:

  • Advise City Council on tree policies, practices and challenges.
  • Develop policies to expand and improve Los Angeles's urban forest and enhance biodiversity.
  • Advise City Departments on procedures regarding preservation, tree care and tree planting.
  • Promote equitable distribution of the benefits and services provided by the urban forest. 
  • Help community members work with the City on tree issues.
  • Advocate for tree-related funding for Departments.
  • Review and comment on specific projects in the City.
  • Advocate for urban forestry and biodiversity as key city priorities that address public health and the climate crisis.

Tree Protection

What Is Urban Forest Management?

  • The protection and enhancement of urban forests and the natural resources and processes on which their health depend.
  • UFM is based on scientific principles that govern a natural ecosystem occurring in the midst of, and interacting with, the city and human processes.
  • The effective and efficient management of this critical "green infrastructure" through leadership, sensitive planning, pro-active programs and education.

Benefits Of The Urban Forest

  • Combat climate change.
  • Reduce urban heat island effect by shading pavement and buildings.
  • Save energy and reduce cooling costs.
  • Improve public health by improving air quality, providing shade and improving mental well-being.
  • Reduce health impacts from extreme heat events.
  • Slow down and capture rainwater and reduce costs of stormwater management.
  • Increase property values, stimulate business,
  • Enhance wildlife habitat and support biodiversity.
  • Beautify our City.
  • Provide environmental equity and access to nature for all communities.

Protected Native Trees and Shrubs

Native Tree and Shrub Protection

The City requires a permit for the removal of any protected native tree or shrub. To request a permit or report suspected illegal removal call: Bureau of Street Services / StreetsLA at (800) 996-2489 during working hours (7:00 AM - 3:45 PM) or use the MyLA311 system online.

Street Tree Protection

A no-fee permit is required to prune a street tree. Pruning must conform to International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Guidelines  

To report suspected illegal pruning of a street tree (i.e., topping, hatracking) call the Bureau of Street Services (see above) or use the MyLA311 system online. If possible, safely take photos showing the tree, truck license number and address. Avoid confrontation.

Monthly Meetings

We meet virtually on the first Thursday of every month from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Meeting access codes are provided on each month's agenda. For information on the next meeting, email cfac.cd01@gmail.com. CFAC is comprised entirely of volunteers and we need your help! For more information on how to get involved, email the address above and attend a meeting. 

Here you can access the recordings for past meetings spanning back six months.

See bottom of page for upcoming and past meeting agendas: 

 

Questions about Trees

For tree related issues within your Council District please contact your local representative below.

CFAC Council District Representatives Contact List:

FAQs

In the City of Los Angeles, trees, plants and shrubs in streets, parkways and other public ways are planted and maintained by the City of Los Angeles Urban Forestry Division. A permit is required to trim branches or roots of a street tree, or to remove a street tree. Removal is only approved if the tree is dead or dying, or is creating a hazardous condition. If there is any question as to whether your tree is a street tree, contact the Urban Forestry Division at (213) 847-3077.

Please visit the Urban Forestry Division website if you have any questions about street trees, such as what to do if your parkway tree is dead, diseased, hazardous or needs pruning; how to obtain a permit to trim a street tree (properly); how to repair sidewalk damage created by a tree; which trees are approved for street trees; protected tree removal; and the schedule for tree trimming on your street. 

If you have questions regarding planting, care and maintenance on trees that are not street trees, we recommend you contact an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). You can search for an ISA certified arborist in your area, and find advice on tree care at the ISA website.

Most arborists charge for their services by the hour. Your local nursery is also a good resource for questions regarding tree types recommended for different planting conditions and care and maintenance for existing trees.

News & Events

12 best drought-resistant plants for dry weather

Valuable Information

Los Angeles City & County Sites

Los Angeles Based Non-Profit Organizations

Groups And Organizations In California

US & State Government Sites

National Groups And Organizations

Help With Finding An Arborist

Schools And Universities

Meeting Agendas:

CFAC Agenda March 7, 2024
CFAC Agenda February 1, 2024
CFAC Meeting Cancellation January 4, 2024
CFAC Agenda December 7, 2023
CFAC Agenda November 2, 2023
CFAC Agenda October 5, 2023
CFAC Agenda August 3, 2023
CFAC Agenda July 13, 2023
CFAC Agenda June 1, 2023
CFAC Agenda May 4, 2023
CFAC Agenda April 6, 2023
CFAC Special Meeting Agenda March 28, 2023
CFAC Agenda March 2, 2023
CFAC Agenda February 9, 2023
CFAC Agenda December 1, 2022
CFAC Agenda November 3, 2022
CFAC Agenda September 1, 2022
CFAC Agenda August 4, 2022
CFAC Special Agenda July 7, 2022
CFAC Agenda May 5, 2022
CFAC Agenda April 7, 2022
CFAC Agenda March 3, 2022
CFAC Agenda February 3, 2022 Special Meeting
CFAC Agenda January 6, 2022
CFAC Agenda November 4 2021
CFAC Agenda October 7, 2021
CFAC Agenda September 9 2021
CFAC Agenda September 6, 2021
CFAC Agenda August 5, 2021
CFAC Agenda July 1, 2021
CFAC Agenda June 3, 2021
CFAC Agenda May 20, 2021
CFAC Agenda May 6, 2021
CFAC Agenda March 4 2021
CFAC Agenda February 4 2021
CFAC Agenda January 7 2021
CAFC Agenda October 1, 2020

Past Meeting Minutes

CFAC Meeting Minutes - December 7, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - November 2, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - August 3, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - July 13, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - June 1, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - May 6, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - April 6, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - March 2, 2023
CFAC Meeting Minutes - December 1, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - November 3, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - October 6, 2022
CFAC Special Meeting Minutes - September 15, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - September 1, 2022
CFAC Special Meeting Minutes - August 25,2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - August 4, 2022
CFAC Special Meeting Minutes - July 7, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - May 5, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - April 7, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - March 3, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - February 3, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - January 6, 2022
CFAC Meeting Minutes - December 2, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - November 4, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - October 7, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - September 9, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - August 5, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - July 1, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - June 3, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - May 6, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - April 1, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes March 4, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - February 2, 2021
CFAC Meeting Minutes - January 7, 2021

Past Policy Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes - June 28, 2022
Meeting Minutes - June 16, 2022
Meeting Minutes - May 19, 2022
Meeting Minutes - April 21, 2022
Meeting Minutes - January 20, 2022
Meeting Minutes - October 21, 2021
Meeting Minutes - September 23, 2021
Meeting Minutes - August 19, 2021
Meeting Minutes - July 15, 2021
Meeting Minutes - June 17, 2021
Meeting Minutes - May 20, 2021
Meeting Minutes - April 15, 2021
Meeting Minutes - March 18, 2021
Meeting Minutes - February 18, 2021
Meeting Minutes - January 21, 2021

Past CFAC Building Around Trees (BAT) Committee Minutes

CFAC Building Around Trees (BAT) Committee Minutes - January 27, 2022
CFAC Building Around Trees (BAT) Committee Minutes - November 18, 2021
CFAC Building Around Trees (BAT) Committee Minutes - October 28, 2021
CFAC Building Around Trees (BAT) Committee Minutes - September 14, 2021
CFAC Building Around Trees (BAT) Committee Minutes - August 26, 2021