Council Adopts Updated Street‑Tree List to Replace 1966 Guidance

The Corte Madera Town Council on May 6 adopted a resolution replacing the town’s 1966 recommended street‑tree list with a staff‑vetted list of 14 species, which staff said better reflects current climate, infrastructure and fire‑safety considerations.

Planning and public‑works staff, with consulting arborist input from Arbor Science, presented a list developed to increase species diversity, reduce sidewalk damage and include drought‑tolerant and fire‑safe species appropriate for Corte Madera’s sidewalk planters. The list highlights three California native trees and five North American natives, and flags six species tolerant of salt‑wet conditions for bayside neighborhoods.

Staff described the selection criteria: drought tolerance after establishment, non‑fire‑prone species, low infrastructure damage potential (sidewalks and utilities), low maintenance and pollinator/wildlife benefits. The town’s consultant and staff reviewed other municipal lists and removed species with known issues (for example, species prone to root damage or heavy fruit drop). The beautification committee reviewed the draft and asked for additions and clearer formatting; Central Marin Fire Department and public works also reviewed and approved the list.

The resolution rescinded the old 1966 list (previously referenced as resolution 814 in meeting materials) and adopted the new list for use as a recommended resource by property owners, the town’s sidewalk‑replacement program and the beautification committee’s street‑tree efforts. Staff emphasized the list is advisory; property owners may select other species when appropriate conditions are met.

Council members praised staff and the beautification committee for thorough outreach. The measure passed unanimously.

Quotes in this article are from Phoebe and Tracy, town staff who led the project, and from consulting arborist Kent Julen.