The Santa Barbara street tree advisory committee, a city group composed of appointed community members with horticultural and arboricultural experience, has recommended changing the current street tree designation for the 300 to 800 blocks of East Anapamu Street from the Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea) to the California native coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia).

A block’s street tree designation determines what trees will be planted and maintained alongside that particular portion of street. The proposal follows many years of tree decline and failures along the street, as well as a comprehensive safety assessment completed earlier this year. 

No existing trees will be affected by this process, the city said.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to consider the recommendation when it meets Wednesday, Oct. 23 in City Hall Council Chambers, 735 Anacapa St.

The committee recommendation introduces a tree species better suited to the street conditions. Reasons for this change include that coast live oaks grow well in areas adjacent to asphalt, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and overhead power lines.

As they mature, the oaks will recreate the dense canopy that the century-old Italian stone pines once offered, the city said.

In 2001, the city adopted the California native coast live oak as one of its two official city trees.  The City Council selected the oak to symbolize strength, longevity, and historic preservation.

Native to the region, coast live oaks are well-adapted to the local environment and provide valuable food sources and habitat for wildlife.

The parkway, areas between the curb and sidewalk, along East Anapamu Street currently has 46 Italian stone pines, which will receive continued care by the city’s Urban Forestry Program.

Once a final decision on the street tree designation is made, new trees can be planted in the vacant tree wells along the street. There are about 25 locations available for planting. The Urban Forestry Program will replant this winter to begin to restore the tree canopy.

Community members can submit comments to the Parks and Recreation Commission in person, in writing, or by email at CCarlson@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.

Written comments should be received by noon on Oct. 22 to be considered during the Oct. 23 commission meeting.

For more about the project, visit Anapamu Street Italian Stone Pine Pruning and Removals – SantaBarbaraCA.gov/stonepines.