The City of Signal Hill is asking residents to share their input on the upcoming plan for local trees by taking an online survey.
From 2023 to 2028, the Street Tree Master Plan will guide the City in deciding which trees will be maintained, and which ones will be removed or replaced. The plan is expected to be finished by May 2023.
Landscape architects SWA Group, Inc. was hired by the City to develop a plan for a fee of $100,000.
The last Street Tree Master Plan was created in 2010. During an April city council meeting, the City’s Associate Engineer Jesus Saldaña said the plan needed a “significant revamp.”
It was discussed that the most common tree type in Signal Hill, Chinese Elms, are too expensive to maintain. The survey asks if residents would like to see similar looking, native Calfiornian or climate resistant trees take the place of Chinese Elms in the city.
The survey starts by asking how individuals are connected to Signal Hill: whether they live, work, own a business, or have other relationships to the city. It then asks if they’ve heard of the Street Tree Master Plan yet and why trees are important.
Along with various questions about tree preferences, the survey also provides information about the benefits of trees such as oxygen production, heat reduction, increased property values and more.
According to the survey, there are currently over 1,000 empty spots in Signal Hill where trees could potentially be placed.
To take the survey, visit https://www.menti.com/alrpo9yrg1ob/0.
To see a map of all street trees in Signal Hill and keep up with the City’s public outreach efforts, visit the City’s Street Tree Master Plan webpage.
