Glendale staff presented an update on the city's urban forest and tree-maintenance efforts at a Nov. 25 workshop, telling council the municipal inventory totals about 39,400 trees across parks and rights-of-way. Transportation and parks staff said the city has lost approximately 3,255 trees over the past five years and planted about 2,571 in that same period; rights-of-way inventory currently stands at roughly 18,000 trees with a plan target of 22,000 by 2030.

Context: Staff described a seven-year plan (now in year three) to increase overall tree canopy and to prioritize drought-tolerant and native species after noting that some older pines and other species have struggled in recent heat and drought conditions. The city noted it recently received its 30th consecutive Tree City USA designation.

Funding and grants: Staff said the city has secured approximately $3,800,000 in grants to support tree-planting and right-of-way work, including roughly $800,000 from a state legislative grant and approximately $3,000,000 from a separate package (referenced in subsequent right-of-way discussion as connected to WIFA-related grant activity). Council members asked how many grants have been applied for and what additional funding or staffing might be needed; staff said at present they do not anticipate additional staffing or funding beyond what is planned but will return with more detail in later updates.

Operational questions: Council asked how the city will address attrition and whether replacement planting will keep pace with losses. Staff said recent heavy planting in the last two years makes comparisons to five-year loss figures appear lopsided and expressed confidence the program can meet plan targets. Staff also said trees removed for safety or infrastructure reasons will not always be replanted in the same spot and that in constrained spaces the city will substitute shrubs or other low-maintenance vegetation.

Next steps: Staff will provide a more detailed inventory and follow up on the composition of the tree counts (for example, whether Thunderbird Conservation Park acreage is included) and will continue to report progress under the seven-year plan. Councilmembers asked staff to preserve five large historic trees at Mission Park while other site-planning (including Fire Station 154 considerations) continues.