Editor’s note: This article was originally published August 2017. It has been updated with the most recent information.
Russian Hill neighbors were barking mad about the possibility that a backyard redwood tree near Lombard Street might become one of San Francisco’s leafy elite, joining the ranks of the city’s landmark tree program. Which had us wondering about out city’s sanctioned trees.
Starting in 2007, Public Works began extending special protections to city trees dubbed “the best,” but just what does that mean?
There are a few technical qualifications, to wit: “Significant trees are within 10 feet of the public right-of-way and also meet one of the following size requirements: 20 feet or greater in height, 15 feet or greater canopy width, 12 inches or greater diameter of trunk measured at 4.5 feet above grade.”
But there must be more to it than merely measurements. In honor of Arbor Day, here’s a closer look at the city’s arboreal all-stars.
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