City of Menlo Park, CA

08/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/10/2026 13:50

Help protect Menlo Park’s heritage trees

Help protect Menlo Park's heritage trees

Published on August 10, 2026

Did you know that Menlo Park has thousands of trees and that many are protected? You can help preserve Menlo Park's urban canopy by learning about the City's Heritage Tree Ordinance and ensuring any major tree work on your property is reviewed and permitted by the City. Mature trees do far more than beautify our community. They cool our neighborhoods, filter air pollutants, reduce energy costs, prevent soil erosion during heavy rains, and provide essential habitat for native wildlife.

In Menlo Park, we have many heritage trees; these are trees that are protected based on their species and trunk diameter (measured 4.5 feet above the ground). For native California oaks, like Coast Live Oaks and Valley Oaks, the trunk needs to be at least 10 inches in diameter. For all other species, the trunk diameter must be 15 inches or greater. If a tree has multiple trunks, the measurement is taken just below where the main stems branch off. Because of their benefits, heritage trees cannot be removed, heavily pruned or disturbed without approval and an issued permit.

Before removing any heritage tree or undertaking major pruning (removing more than 25% of the tree's foliage or root system in a 12-month period), you must apply for a heritage tree permit. This process allows the City to evaluate tree condition, explore options to retain the tree and address concerns with tree health and safety, and confirm there is good cause for removal. The City also requires replacement trees when a heritage tree must be removed.

Routine maintenance that involves pruning less than 25% of the canopy does not require a permit, provided your contractor adheres to municipal standards and proper arboricultural techniques that maintain the tree's health and structure.

If you are planning construction near a heritage tree, you will need an arborist report with a tree protection plan from a City-approved consulting arborist to maintain the tree's long-term viability and safety.

For more information on heritage trees and the heritage tree ordinance visit menlopark.gov/trees.

City of Menlo Park, CA published this content on August 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 10, 2026 at 19:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]