(Reprinted from 2021)

Maintaining 27,000 trees and planning additional plantings is no small task. Fortunately for the City of Tracy, this task has been entrusted to Public Works Director Don Scholl, Park Supervisor Larry Fisk, certified arborist David Murphy, relatively new hire Urban Forestry Supervisor John Newman, and two city-employed maintenance staffers.

Urban tree forestry provides multiple benefits. Trees provide shade during hot summers, reduce the urban heat island, sequester carbon and produce oxygen, and add value to homeowners' property.

Like many cities during the economic downturns in the early 2000's, the City of Tracy (Tracy) eliminated its in-house tree crew and significantly reduced its budget for street tree care. How did this City go from minimal tree care to becoming a Tree City, USA designee within a decade?

According to Don Scholl, Public Works Director, Tracy's commitment arose from a concerted effort in the early 2000's to improve the state of its urban forest. Tracy had seen rapid growth in residential development, and these developments added numerous trees to the inventory. The established parts of the city also had thousands of mature trees in need of more consistent care. Programs for needed removals and replanting were accelerated. Volunteer groups engaged in a variety of tree planting projects and one group formed the Tracy Tree Foundation. Community and Council support has continued to grow.

It was Scholl and Senior Maintenance Worker Larry Fisk (now a Parks Supervisor) who spearheaded Tracy's street tree responsibilities and as the economy recovered, they increased programmed pruning and other tree services. Funding and tree species selection were initial challenges.

Five years ago, Scholl and Fisk planned Tracy's first Arbor Day event. Thirteen trees were planted on a small court in Tracy. It was the final task required for Tracy to apply for a Tree City USA designation. Subsequent Arbor Day events have seen 300+ volunteers participate each year in planting approximately 100-150 trees each time. These successes have helped build strong support from the Council and among numerous volunteer organizations throughout the community.

Along with non-profit Tree Tracy, the city applied for and received a Cal-Fire grant for $300K which was matched by $116K of Tracy funds. These funds enabled Tracy to plant 634 trees, hire an Urban Forestry Supervisor and two additional maintenance workers and to hire Davey Resource Group (DRG) to help it create an Urban Forestry Management Plan.

In May 2019, DRG conducted a community outreach session to solicit residents' opinions about the City's greenspace canopy. After presenting information on comparables to other cities, based on geography (for climate considerations), acreage, and population, resident input was solicited for concerns and opinions on locations for growing the urban canopy.

Almost four years ago Tracy became a Tree City USA designee, an annual distinction bestowed on cities for their excellence in urban forestry management. Tracy is proud to receive this annual designation for its commitment to its trees and community and intends to renew and meet the commitments required to keep this distinction.

Scholl states, "My vision for Tracy's urban forest is to create a healthy, sustainable, and diverse tree canopy that enhances the environment and creates a sense of 'place.' The beauty of our trees will continue to add to the quality of life in our city and contribute to Tracy's economic development. Through best management practices, trained and dedicated staff, and community support, I am certain we will attain these goals."

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Many thanks to Robin Kloepfer, John Newman, and Don Scholl, City of Tracy Department of Public Works, for their input and time, in writing this article.