The Tree Commission is an advisory body to the Director of Public Works, City Manager, Planning Commission, and City Council. The commission shall make recommendations to the Director of Public Works, City Manager, Planning Commission and the City Council as appropriate on matters involving care and maintenance of City-owned trees and trees on private undeveloped property. The responsibilities of the Tree Commission include the following:

1. Review requests to remove City-owned trees and shall review development plans and tree surveys (pursuant to the City’s CEQA guidelines) processed through the City’s Department of Public Works and Development Services;
2. Review requests from owners or occupants of undeveloped property regarding removal, substantial trimming, or construction around any protected tree;
3. The commission shall make recommendations to the Director of Public Works or the Planning Commission relative to the removal of trees and the mitigation measures to be implemented by the applicant;
4. Responsible for the development and promotion of educational activities within the City relative to the care, planting, and preservation of trees on public and private property within the City;
5. Develop and maintain a list of trees native to the Sierra Madre area;
6. Develop and maintain a street landscaping plan for the City. The street landscaping plan shall include a list of trees suitable for planting in the City’s parkways especially favoring the recommendation of native species where possible;
7. Identify and recommend to the City Council sites on public property suitable for the planting of native trees.

The commission normally meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The week before the commission meeting, commission members will receive a packet of the agenda items and the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Public Works Director is responsible for staffing the Tree Commission.