Forest and Beach Commission reviews tree‑removal catch‑up plan, inventory gaps and wildfire inspections

The Forest and Beach Commission reviewed a year‑end Forrester’s report in May that staff said shows progress on a multi‑year catch‑up plan to address deferred tree maintenance while also identifying gaps in the city’s tree inventory and data reporting.

Justin, the city’s forester, and Tom, a staff member, told the commission they aimed to prioritize the largest and most hazardous trees first and to “get the worst 128 trees” in the first year of a three‑year plan. Staff reported removing 147 dead or very poor trees and grinding 386 stumps so far in the fiscal year, figures staff presented to show work completed against the catch‑up target. Tom emphasized that some trees included in the original inventory have since changed condition (for example, trees listed as ‘‘very poor’’ that later displayed viable canopy), and that staff review each tree before removal.

The discussion…