South Pasadena’s Oak Tree Trimming Season Begins June 1st

California Oak Trees (Photo – Nicolás Boullosa)

South Pasadena’s oak tree pruning season is approaching. Plan ahead.

By Shahid Abbas

The South Pasadena Public Works Department would like to remind residents and business owners in South Pasadena that the City has a permitting process to prune protected trees. Oak Tree trimming season is from June 1 to September 30. Permits must be obtained for trimming or pruning more than 10% of the live canopy of an oak tree.

A private property tree trimming permit can be obtained in four easy steps:

1. Visit our website (click here), select the “Private Property Tree Trimming” application and complete the form.
2. Send the completed application including required documentation to this email.
3. Public Works will review your application for completeness and send you the online payment portal.
4. Inspections are planned for Thursday mornings 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Once the inspection is complete and the arborist approves your application, the permit will be issued electronically.

Please make sure to plan your Oak tree trimming during the approved window of June 1 to September 30. Only hazard trimming of Oak trees shall be allowed from October 1 through May 30.

If you ever need assistance, we are available Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at 626-403-7240 to assist with questions related to any Public Works related matter. Our inspectors and field crews are still out in the City performing work in the community.  In an effort to keep everyone safe, please respect a minimum of 6’ to 10’ social distancing with staff in the field.

Shahid Abbas is South Pasadena’s Public Works Director.