Department of Parks and Recreation

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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION​

Ka ʻOihana Mālama Pāka a me nā Hana Hoʻonanea

Department of Parks and Recreation > Division of Urban Forestry

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About the Division of Urban Forestry

The City and County of Honolulu Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) is under the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DUF is comprised of three branches; Administration, Horticulture Services, and the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. DUF prides itself on its skilled and experienced staff. Almost all DUF employees hold at least one credential in nationally and internationally recognized arboriculture, horticulture, or other plant or trade-related fields. These include the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists and Certified Tree Workers, the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) Registered Consulting Arborists, Commercial Driver’s Licenses, and many others.

Check out the History of Division of Urban Forestry here!

The DUF’s Administrative Section and the Horticulture Services Branch employ ISA Certified Tree Workers, ISA Certified Arborists, ISA Municipal Specialists, ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborists,  Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators, National Green Infrastructure Certification Holders.

DUF Administration includes various roles that are vital to DUF, with a focus on guiding and managing the work that is conducted for our urban forest. This includes budgeting, purchasing, personnel, logistics, pubic communications, and correspondence to manage and maintain City trees around Oʻahu.

Learn about DUF's branches

Horticulture Services

Click Here

Honolulu Botanical Gardens

Click Here

Community Forestry

Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General

  • The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has jurisdiction over all trees growing in the City right-of-way, including along City streets and City parks. Within DPR, the Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) is responsible for the maintenance of nearly 250,000 street and park trees.
  • Initially, newly planted City trees are watered and maintained by DUF Nursery and Landscape Section. After the maintenance period, responsibility for the care and maintenance of street and park trees is transferred to DUF Arboriculture Section. Our crews then manage and maintain our mature trees to maintain their longevity and the benefits they bring to us.
  • No, Na Ala Hele Trails are managed by the State of Hawaiʻi in the Department of Land and Natural Resources. You can find more information about the Na Ala Hele Hawaiʻi Trail and Access System here.
  • DPR/ DUF does not have hiking trails in our parks. Within DUF, Honolulu Botanical Gardens have walking paths for recreational activities. View the Honolulu Botanical Gardens page here.

Please refer to the Contact Us section below.

  • No, unfortunately, we cannot provide trees to the public. All trees grown in our nurseries are dedicated to planting or replacing trees in the public right-of-way or other City properties to grow tree canopy in these spaces.
  • Yes, the City’s tree acquisition program takes donated trees from the public, government agencies, private developers, etc. However, at this time the City is only accepting Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) or Cook Island Pine (Araucaria columnaris) tree donations for the Honolulu City Lights.
  • The tree must be inspected and approved by DUF before acceptance by the City and is considered as a gift to the City. The tree and site are inspected for size, species, condition of the tree, accessibility, overhead lines, etc. Once accepted, the tree becomes the property of the City and will be removed by the Horticulture Services Branch if deemed necessary.

Planting

  • If the tree is on your private property, then you can plant the tree. We love to see our friends and neighbors with trees in their yards, brightening up their houses and providing benefits to the whole ʻohana. Need some tips on how to successfully plant a tree? Watch our step-by-step tutorial by clicking here.
  • If you want to plant in the right-of-way planting strip or on City property, you must receive permission first. A resident can request a street tree planting from DUF, but only if it fronts their own property. DUF will investigate if the right-of-way abutting your property can become home to a street tree. DUF will inspect the proposed site and if suitable, plant the proper tree for the site. We do ask if you are requesting a tree that you can commit to watering the tree to best ensure the early establishment of the new tree. Proper watering is the key to the survival of newly planted trees. Water needs for trees vary with species, if you have questions about your tree, DUF can recommend a watering routine. When a resident requests a street tree planting from DUF, there is often a waiting period because we receive many requests.
  • However, it is also possible to obtain a permit to plant a tree yourself. You must submit a right-of-way, you must submit a Surface Encroachment Variance (SEV) application (PDF) to the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). Please note that not all SEVs are approved due to limiting factors.
  • While you can suggest which tree you would like to see in front of your house, it is ultimately up to the DUF forester to decide which tree species is most appropriate. During DUF’s required site visit, they will take into account the location’s surrounding conditions, potential conflicts, and their knowledge of each type of tree’s particular growth habits. Their primary objective during this process is to select a tree that will thrive and grow safely to provide the best level of benefits to your neighborhood. Species diversity is also crucially important to the health and longevity of the overall urban forest.
  • DUF does not plant trees on private property. If there is an area on private property where you want to plant, we suggest talking to the property owner and seeing if they would be interested in tree planting. We also support the annual Arbor Day tree giveaways around the island at the beginning of November where community members can receive a free tree. 
  • The City may not be able to keep up with the fruiting season of all fruiting trees. Therefore, fallen fruit may become a safety concern. It is also for the same reason that the City does not allow coconuts to grow to maturity; falling coconuts are a danger to people and property.
  • The City generally does not plant native street trees because they struggle to grow in most urban areas. Sidewalks often have small planting areas and harsh growing conditions that make up the current reality of urban planting spaces. Urban soils are often altered in ways that are unfavorable to tree growth; they lack an organic layer, can be compacted, have altered drainage, variation in pH, and other characteristics. These are very different from the natural soil that native trees typically grow in and impact tree health and vitality. It’s astounding to recognize how much our street trees endure yet still manage to grow and provide us benefits.
  • DUF works with DPR Park Maintenance and Recreation Services (PMRS) to plant native trees in City parks when allowable.
  • The Division of Urban Forestry chooses tree species based on variables determined by our arborists and professional staff focused on maintaining trees to survive and grow the tree canopy. We always work towards a diverse tree planting species palette that suits the needs of street trees on Oʻahu.
  • The public is not allowed to plant their own trees in City parks or the City’s right-of-way. You can request for a tree to be planted fronting your property in the City’s right-of-way or to beautify a City park. While we appreciate your consideration, we typically do not plant memorial trees because there is no 100% guarantee that the tree will grow to maturity.

Maintenance

  • If the tree is on your private property, then you can prune the tree.
  • If the tree is a City tree, you may not prune the tree. City trees are pruned on a regular schedule and routinely checked for public safety and tree health. We strive to prune our trees every 24 months and trim coconut and royal palms every 6 months. The maintenance schedule is contingent on the need based on the condition and availability of resources, including manpower and funds.
  • If you believe that a tree in the City right-of-way needs pruning, you can request DUF to prune (please see the section about contacting us below) and we will inspect if further action is necessary.
  • We follow all ANSI (American Nationa Standards Institute) standards that are industry-developed and recognized as the national consensus of safety standards. For tree care and arboriculture operations, this includes ANSI A300 and ANSI Z133 standards.
  • DUF’s in-house crews and contracted private tree care companies prune and trim to accepted and high-level industry standards following both ANSI A300 and ANSI Z133 to provide the best care for our trees.
  • We appreciate your concern and care for the public trees in our communities. DUF prioritizes work orders and addresses all safety concerns with high priority. We manage the entire island of Oʻahu, including than 300 City parks and 3,650 lane miles of City roads.
  • Please allow us the time required to research each request. There may be a delay in contacting you, but we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience, mahalo!
  • International Society of Arborists (ISA) credentials demonstrate that individuals have the appropriate knowledge and skills in arboriculture. Certified arborists have passed credential testing confirming knowledge of proper and acceptable tree care practices.
  • Find a certified arborist with the ISA Arborist Search tool.
  • Topping, as defined by ISA, is “the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or to lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Topping is often used to reduce the size of a tree, but it is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known.”
  • Topping can lead to high levels of risk, tree stress, and decay. It is often done to reduce the size of the tree canopy but is not a viable method of height reduction.

Removals

  • No, it is illegal to remove a City tree. It is the City’s goal to preserve as many trees as possible; however, trees that are dead, dying, diseased, or damaged may be removed for public safety.
  • If there is a tree in the City right-of-way that you think is a concern, please see the section about contacting us below. We will send our certified arborists to inspect the tree and assess if corrective actions need to be taken or if the tree is healthy to remain in place and continue to provide shade, clean air, and stormwater filtration in our shared spaces.
  • Vandalizing, damaging, or removing a City tree is a crime. The act is considered criminal property damage, which may result in a prison sentence.
  • No, removing a City tree is illegal. Please consider the benefits of trees instead, these are the many reasons we do not permit to remove healthy trees. Your tree is part of the entire street and urban forestry system across the island.
  • It is natural for trees to drop seeds, flowers, and release pollen as they are living things. It is kind of like how we have to brush our hair and clip our nails. Trees are similar in that they have to go through their natural cycles.
  • Tree roots extend beyond its canopy and stretch out for stability and in search of nutrients. If there is a tree in the City right-of-way that you think is a concern, please see the section about contacting DUF below. We will inspect the tree to assess possible tree care options.
  • If there are roots that extend onto your private property, we recommend contacting a private arborist to discuss options. The ISA Arborist Search tool will allow you to find local certified arborists. If you decide to root prune, please contact DUF and we can assess how this will impact the tree’s overall health.
  • Tree roots will grow towards existing breaks or cracks because they follow water availability. They do not crack sewer lines that are not already damaged. The best way to fix this is to have your sewer line repaired.
  • Tree roots will grow towards existing breaks or cracks because they follow water availability. They do not crack sewer lines that are not already damaged. The best way to fix this is to have your sewer line repaired. If you have evidence that a City-owned tree caused damage to the sewer lines, fill and complete this claim form (PDF) to file a claim with the City. Please keep in mind that removing a City tree without a permit is illegal.
  • Our first responsibility is to keep the public safe. There are specific reasons why a tree might be cut down, such as if the tree is dead, dying, diseased, damaged, or poses an immediate danger to the public.
  • DUF actively conducts preemptive work to protect the public from future hazards by completing routine inspections and maintenance for all City trees. When we conduct inspections, we want to preserve the tree in place to continue receiving the benefits that the existing tree has to offer. If structural or corrective pruning can be performed, removal will not be necessary. If the tree cannot be saved by pruning, then we will safely remove and, if possible, replace that City tree.
  • If there is a tree in the City right-of-way that you think is a concern, please see the section about contacting us below.

Contact us

For questions or concerns regarding trees refer to the following links or send us a request. The Department of Planning and Permitting maintains the Standards and Procedures for the Planting of Street Trees (PDF). You may also send a FAX to (808) 971-7160.

For emergency requests such as a fallen tree or branch that is blocking the roadway or sidewalk, or has caused damage or injury, please dial 911. Unsure of who to call in other cases? Refer to the Contacts for Tree Concerns (PDF). For other questions or concerns, we have two options where you may contact us:

Please provide us the following information in your voicemail and be sure to spell out your name and street name:

  1. Name
  2. Street Address
  3. Nearest cross street
  4. General area such as downtown, ʻAiea, or Waikīkī
  5. Daytime contact phone number
  6. Nature of concern: (examples)
    • Fallen branch
    • Request for pruning
    • Request for planting
    • etc.

A job order will be created as soon as we receive your message and a member of our staff will contact you with the job order number, or an answer to your question. Please be aware that because of the volume of requests received and the amount of time required to research each request, there may be a delay in contacting you. But we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. To leave a message for the staff, please specify the personʻs first and last name and your contact information.

  1. Go to: https://honoluluhi.citysourced.com
  2. Click on Requests and select Create a Request
  3. Login to your account or select Create anonymously
  4. Click on Select a Report Type:
    • Select Sewer & Environmental
    • Select Street Tree
  5. Identify the location on the map
  6. Write a detailed message on your request and include the street address, nearest cross street, general area, phone number, and the nature of your concern
  7. We recommend that you include photos, videos, or audio
  8. Finally, click submit

Tree-sources

Tree resources (Tree-Sources!) provide more information on proper tree care for tree owners.

Trees Are Good is an educational program managed by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). ISA is a “professional green industry organization whose mission is to promote the professional practice of arboriculture and create a worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees.”

For more information go to the Trees Are Good Tree Owner Information page.

 

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