Tree maintenance and concerns
City maintenance of Lakewood’s urban forest
Keeping Lakewood’s street and park trees healthy is a big job. The city has a certified arborist on Public Works Department staff to advise the city on tree maintenance.
Staff responds quickly to emergency conditions and removes limbs and trees if they are brought down by wind and rain.
The city contracts with West Coast Arborists to trim city trees on a regular schedule. Street trees are typically trimmed about every four years, though some may be trimmed more often depending on growing conditions and tree species.
You can report an issue or make a service request for:
- Tree trimming if a city tree is overgrown
- A damaged or diseased city tree
- Tree-damaged sidewalk or curb
Caring for your parkway tree
The parkway is the area between the sidewalk and the street in front of a residence. Parkway trees are city trees, and the city is responsible for trimming them when needed.
Residents should not trim parkway trees on their own. Residents may request trimming if a tree needs attention. Trimming a city tree without permission can harm the tree, affect the appearance of the neighborhood and may result in penalties.
Need help submitting a request? Contact Public Information at service1@lakewoodca.gov or call 562-866-9771, ext. 2140.
What to do about other tree-related issues
Neighbor’s tree encroaching on your property
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.
Tree roots invading 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.
Keeping vegetation away from 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.
SCE contact numbers for other issues