The mountains, foothills and valleys of Los Angeles County were once home to majestic oak forests. The Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning has created a handy brochure for residents who live among oak trees, particularly in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“The brochure contains helpful information about protecting trees in residential areas, the importance of oak forests to Los Angeles County’s natural heritage, the benefits of oak forests to communities, and how to protect, restore and preserve these amazing trees,” says Kathryn Barger, district manager of Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, whose district includes the Santa Clarita Valley.
The Los Angeles County General Plan, which guides the county’s future development, establishes a policy to ensure there is no net loss of existing oak and native forests. Oaks face many threats, including drought, climate change, and development pressures.
To achieve this goal of preserving and sustaining oak forests, homeowners can contribute by maintaining existing oak trees while protecting and planting new oak seedlings that will form the oak forests of the future.
Oak trees are regulated in Los Angeles County. One way to save time and avoid fees and fines is to incorporate oak trees into your project design and avoid removing oak trees. Cutting down or damaging an oak tree requires a permit. Homeowners should be aware of the need for permits before considering pruning or cutting down oak trees.
Read the regulation on oak protection here.
To download the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning’s oak tree informational pamphlet, visit https://planning.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Oak-Tree-Informational-Pamphlet-ver2.pdf.
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