The city maintains parkway trees along residential streets.
You can call, email or submit a service request to report tree-related issues, including damaged or diseased trees, overgrown trees and tree-damaged sidewalks or curbs.
Damaged or diseased trees
The city has a certified arborist on Public Works Department staff to advise on tree maintenance. Staff responds quickly to emergency conditions, such as limbs or trees brought down by wind and rain.
If you suspect your parkway tree is diseased, please report it so it can be evaluated. Trees may be replaced due to age, disease or other city criteria. Replacement trees are selected for Lakewood’s climate, neighborhood conditions and long-term compatibility with streets and sidewalks.
Overgrown trees requiring a trim
The city trims parkway trees on a rotating schedule for tree health and neighborhood safety. The city may send a crew to trim a tree sooner if the tree:
- Has foliage that is too thick.
- Is growing too close to a house.
- Has sucker growth at the base of the tree.
- Is overhanging the sidewalk.
Sidewalk or curb damage
Some parkway trees have reached the limit of their growth and may damage sidewalks or curbs.
The city tracks tree-damaged locations, replaces trees when they meet city criteria and repairs sidewalks, curbs and gutters as quickly as the city’s budget permits.
Tree roots affecting sewer lines
Tree roots can enter a pipe that has cracked or leaked with age, creating a blockage in the sewer line. If this occurs on the sewer lateral that connects home plumbing to the main sewer line, the repair is the responsibility of the homeowner.
A cracked or clogged sewer lateral should be repaired or replaced. You can reduce the chance of future clogs in an aging sewer lateral by having roots removed by a plumber and applying a commercial product to slow root growth in the sewer line. These products are available at home improvement or hardware stores.
Street trees are removed when they meet the city’s replacement criteria. The city will not remove a healthy tree just because its roots have entered a broken sewer lateral.
Learn more about sewer and water line issues.
Neighboring tree encroachment
If a tree or shrub on your neighbor’s property is growing over the fence that divides your properties, the city cannot compel your neighbor to trim it back. This is a civil matter because it is a property dispute between neighbors.
You may want to seek advice from a lawyer for an explanation of your right to cut back the portion of the tree or shrub that encroaches on your property.
For mediation or dispute resolution resources, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at 800-593-8222 or visit the Los Angeles County Dispute Resolution Program.
Vegetation near power lines
Trees, shrubs and other vegetation can cause safety hazards and power outages if they grow into or near power lines.
Southern California Edison regularly trims or removes trees that are dead, dying, diseased or growing near or under power lines.
If you have questions about vegetation near SCE power lines, contact SCE Customer Support at 1-800-655-4555.