Tree Trimming Begins Monday Along Park Street

Workers will be trimming street trees along Park Sreet for about three weeks, beginning Feb. 25, according to a Cty of Alameda press release. The work will have some impacts on parking and trafric.

Mature street trees are trimmed every five years, while younger ones are pruned more often to establish proper structure, the release says.

Here's the schedule, as provided by city staff:

Phase 1: February 25 - March 1.

• Park Street from Lincoln Avenue to San Jose Avenue
• Santa Clara Avenue from Oak Street to Park Avenue
• Central Avenue from Oak Street to Park Avenue

Description of Work: The trimming will focus on structurally pruning the young street trees. This work will require removal of some lower branches and eliminating or pruning other branches that will affect the future shape of the tree. This work will be performed from the sidewalk. 

Detour/Parking Impacts: No lane closures will be required. However, the contractor will post “No Parking” signs 72 hours in advance to reserve a few parking spaces for their vehicles within each block. Once the trimming of that block has been completed, the “No Parking” signs will be removed. 

Schedule: Work will take place from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Feb. 25 to March 1.

Phase 2: March 4 – March 6.

• Park Street from Blanding Avenue to Lincoln Avenue

Description of Work: The trimming will consist of pruning approximately 20 established trees. This work will require removal of some large branches to eliminate conflicts with buildings and to reduce the weight of the limbs and the canopy, especially on the large Ficus trees. 

Detour/Parking Impacts: The parking lane and the travel lane closest to the curb will be closed during this work. The contractor will post “No Parking” signs 72 hours in advance. Traffic delays, parking impacts, and increased noise from chain saws and other equipment will occur.

Schedule: Work will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting on March 4 and is expected to take about three days to complete.

Phase III: March 7 – March 15.

• Park Street from San Jose Ave. to Shoreline Drive

Description of Work: The trimming work will consist of pruning approximately 45 established trees and approximately 20 younger oak trees. For the established trees, the work will require removal of some large branches to reduce the weight of the limbs and the canopy. Trimming of the younger oak trees will focus on structural pruning and will require removing some lower branches and eliminating or pruning other branches that will affect the future shape of the tree. 

Detour/Parking Impacts: The parking lane and the travel lane closest to the curb will be closed during this work. Traffic will be detoured to the two-way left turn lane so both directions of traffic are maintained. The contractor will post “No Parking” signs 72 hours in advance. Traffic delays, parking impacts, and increased noise from chain saws and other equipment will occur.

Schedule: Work will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, and is expected to last about seven days with work being completed by Friday, March 15, weather permitting.

Contact Todd Williams, Public Works supervisor, at (510) 747-7900 with any questions regarding the tree trimming.