Trees

Trees are integral to meeting San Diego's commitment to climate change, carbon sequestration, stormwater runoff reduction, and water conservation. As part of our urban forest, trees are found on both public and private property and help make our communities more sustainable and livable.

An urban forest is an entire ecosystem that includes trees on both public and private property. However, unlike a natural forest, an urban forest needs help from people to survive. A vigorous and engaged urban forestry program is critical to providing a higher quality of life for residents and visitors in the City of San Diego.

Trees nurtured within an urban environment produce benefits that far exceed the cost of planting and care during the trees' lifetimes. Environmental and aesthetic benefits, such as energy savings, stormwater runoff reductions, cleaner air and higher property values, are consistently many times greater than tree care costs.