Sacramento Faces Tree Maintenance Backlog as City Expands Canopy

UPDATE: Sacramento is grappling with a significant backlog in tree maintenance, with non-emergency service requests taking up to two years to address. As the city plans to expand its tree canopy by 2045, the workload is expected to increase, raising concerns among residents about safety and city services.

Residents in the “City of Trees” are voicing urgent concerns about the upkeep of over 100,000 trees that line Sacramento’s streets and parks. Brett Davison, an East Sacramento resident, highlights the dire situation: “I have neighbors where it’s gotten under their roof tiles. I just think of it as a safety issue.” This issue has drawn the attention of insurance companies, with some conducting drone assessments of properties due to tree-related risks.

As Sacramento experiences a growing backlog of tree maintenance requests, the city’s Urban Forestry Division is struggling to keep up. “Requests deemed non-emergencies often come with a wait time of at least one year,” Davison explained. KCRA 3 Investigates confirmed this alarming trend, revealing that the city receives more than 500 service requests each month, with numbers spiking during severe weather.

In a statement, Gabby Miller from the city’s Urban Forestry Division noted that staffing shortages and damage from severe storms in 2023 have exacerbated the backlog. “Emergency calls are responded to within one hour, 24/7, but non-emergency requests are often delayed,” she stated. The city has made efforts to address these issues by hiring more staff and increasing tree care service contracts, yet significant challenges remain.

Councilmember Pluckebaum emphasized the need for better resources, stating, “Our only answer is to figure out how to either reduce costs and/or raise revenue to provide for that level of service.” However, he revealed that funding solutions may involve new tax measures, with budget cuts anticipated over the next three years.

Sacramento’s city council has voted to double the tree canopy by 2045, focusing on areas lacking tree cover. Yet, Pluckebaum cautioned, “Voting to increase the tree canopy is like voting for puppy dogs or apple pie; it’s popular, but we need to discuss how to fund it.” The newly adopted Sacramento Urban Forest Plan estimates that achieving this goal will require an additional $12-13 million annually.

For many residents, the current situation is a cause for concern. “I’m all about more trees. Bring it on. I love the trees, but you better have enough maintenance crews to handle what you’ve got going on first,” Davison remarked. With the city still recovering from the impacts of last year’s storms, residents are left wondering how Sacramento will manage both current maintenance needs and future growth.

As the city navigates these challenges, residents are encouraged to report tree concerns through the 311 Customer Service Center by calling 311 or emailing [email protected]. This system documents and tracks requests, but many still face long delays for non-emergency issues.

This developing story highlights the urgent need for Sacramento to balance its identity as the “City of Trees” with the pressing need for effective tree maintenance. As the city prepares for an ambitious expansion of its urban forest, residents are left questioning whether the necessary resources will be in place to ensure both safety and sustainability.