Sacramento Faces Tree Maintenance Crisis Amid Growing Backlog

UPDATE: Sacramento is confronting a severe tree maintenance crisis as the city grapples with a staggering backlog of service requests, with response times extending to as long as two years. The “City of Trees” is not only struggling to maintain its existing trees but also plans to increase its tree canopy, further exacerbating the situation.

Residents like Brett Davison from East Sacramento have expressed urgent concerns about the upkeep of city trees, which pose potential safety risks. “I have neighbors where it’s gotten under their roof tiles,” Davison stated. Insurers are taking notice, with some requiring homeowners to manage tree growth or risk losing coverage.

Despite the critical nature of these concerns, the city’s Urban Forestry Division reports that non-emergency requests can often take over a year to address. “At that point, they were booked out for two and a half years for any sort of maintenance,” Davison said, highlighting the frustration many residents are experiencing.

According to KCRA 3 Investigates, Sacramento receives over 500 service requests related to tree issues monthly, a number that spikes significantly during extreme weather events. Emergency calls are prioritized, receiving responses within one hour, but the backlog of non-emergency requests has compounded due to staffing shortages and unprecedented damage from the 2023 storms.

Gabby Miller, a Media & Communications Specialist for the city, attributed the delays to these storms and a lack of personnel. “The City of Sacramento maintains more than 100,000 trees across its 100 square miles,” she noted, indicating that each tree is on a pruning cycle that typically spans five to seven years.

In light of these challenges, city officials are looking to increase tree coverage, aiming to double the tree canopy by 2045. This ambitious plan, however, comes with a hefty price tag, estimated at an additional $12-13 million annually. Residents worry about the city’s ability to manage the existing tree population before expanding it. “You better have enough maintenance crews to handle what you’ve got going on first,” Davison cautioned.

The financial implications of this endeavor are significant, with Councilmember Pluckebaum revealing that the city may need to consider new tax measures to sustain its urban forestry efforts. “We don’t have another strategy in the near term,” he said, indicating that budget cuts may be unavoidable in the coming years.

As Sacramento navigates these growing pains, residents are encouraged to report tree concerns through the 311 Customer Service Center, either by dialing 311 or emailing [email protected]. This system ensures that requests are documented and tracked through to completion, providing a glimmer of hope for those desperate for timely tree maintenance.

With plans to increase tree planting already underway, the urgency for Sacramento officials to address the current backlog is paramount. The city’s identity as a tree haven is at stake, and residents are watching closely to see how the city will manage both its existing trees and those yet to be planted.