Tree Program

Our purpose is to champion Healdsburg’s green spaces through proactive tree protection measures and community-driven tree planting initiatives. We are committed to enhancing the urban tree canopy, preserving biodiversity, and fostering a deeper connection between people and nature.

Trees are amazing for the myriad benefits they offer:

·      Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, which helps cool the planet. In one year, a mature tree can absorb forty-eight pounds of carbon.

·      Trees provide valuable shade in hot weather and help to lower the temperature in our city by as much as ten degrees.

·      Trees help to reduce flooding by absorbing rainwater and using it to grow.

·      Trees create oxygen for us to breathe. One mature tree creates enough oxygen for two people.

·      Trees help us feel serene, peaceful, restful and tranquil, and support our overall health.

·      Trees provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The City of Healdsburg’s Climate Mobilization Strategy includes Measure CS-1 stating the intention to “Increase carbon sequestration by preserving existing mature trees and planting 500 new trees...” We applaud the City’s commitment and we have pledged our support to assist city staff in fulfilling the actions outlined in Measure CS-1. These actions are:

·      Develop a Street Tree Master Plan

·      Develop a new Tree Protection Ordinance

·      Establish an adopt-a-tree or adopt-a-street program

·      Prioritize low-income areas of the city with less existing tree canopy for tree plantings

·      Explore urban and community forestry grant programs

Tree Planting Program

Our small group of dedicated volunteers has developed a Tree Planting Program to encourage the use of shade trees in our community by supplying and planting trees at no charge.

Free of charge, we will:

·      Assess the property to determine the best location(s) to plant a tree.

·      Outline steps for the applicant to prepare the site for tree planting.

·      Suggest drought-tolerant trees that will perform well in our climate.

·      Source, procure and deliver the tree(s) to the planting site.

·      Plant the trees with a team of local volunteers.

·      Provide oversight and pruning for two years to establish optimal tree growth and structure.

For information about enrollment in our Tree Planting Program, email your name, phone number and property address to: healdsburgclimate@yahoo.com

Did you know that Sonoma County passed a new Tree Protection Ordinance in 2024? Some of the following statements are taken from that document:

Forest and woodland resources and the benefits they provide have been greatly diminished in the last ten years in Sonoma County.  Approximately 23% of Sonoma County's land area has been affected by wildfire just since 2017. 

Forest and woodlands draw down carbon and store it in trees, root systems, the forest floor and soils.  Live trees have the highest carbon density.  Existing mature trees help sequester carbon in greater volume than young trees or saplings.

The destruction of these forests and woodlands has adversely impacted various species and ecosystems. The ability of these trees, woodlands and ecosystems to recover is at a precarious tipping point.  We want to stop the further removal of these trees whenever possible.

With that in mind, your support helped our community preserve a blue oak woodland within the Healdsburg city limits that was threatened with removal. A recent City of Healdsburg Planning Commission decision on May 28, 2024 would have allowed for the expansion of a parking lot at the Montage Resort by removing 107 blue oaks. Immediately, our Tree Planting and Protection Action Group (now called "Green Healdsburg") studied the 357 page proposal. After concluding that there were major flaws in the various documents that had been submitted, Climate Action Healdsburg filed an appeal with the City on June 10. We were told it would be heard by the City Council in August. More details can be found here in Christian Kallen's excellent article from the Healdsburg Tribune.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ON THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024, WE WERE INFORMED BY THE CITY THAT MONTAGE FORMALLY WITHDREW ITS APPLICATION!

The oak woodland is preserved for now and the appeal fee of $1667 was returned to our organization.

However, Montage plans to work on a revised plan and submit it to the Planning Commission at a later date. We have to remain vigilant and informed. Email us at healdsburgclimate@yahoo.com to get on our mailing list.