More street trees coming to Bayview Hunters Point in November

People who want trees have until Oct. 5 to sign up

by Friends of the Urban Forest

Business owners, property owners and residents of the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood have until Oct. 5 to sign up to receive a street tree in the planting that Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) is organizing for Nov. 7. People who have eligible sites in front of their properties can save money by participating in FUF’s neighborhood tree planting program; most of the costs are covered by grants, government funding and private donations.

Young-Black-man-stabilizes-new-street-tree-by-Friends-of-the-Urban-Forest-web-300x200, More street trees coming to Bayview Hunters Point in November, Local News & Views
A young man stabilizes a newly planted street tree. – Photo: Friends of the Urban Forest

FUF is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and neighborhood groups plant and care for street trees and sidewalk gardens throughout San Francisco. FUF plants trees in neighborhoods in which at least 30 trees have been requested. FUF’s certified arborists make recommendations regarding the tree species that are most suitable for the conditions at each planting site, and the property owner makes the final selection. Some trees will be removed by the tree removal company Frankston and moved to a different location.

The copayment for a “Tree Package” is $25 and includes the tree, permit processing and site preparation, including concrete removal (the real costs are approximately $475). FUF’s arborists also make three post-planting tree care visits at no additional cost.

“Tree planting brings neighbors together,” said FUF Executive Director Dan Flanagan. “We love to help neighborhood residents transform and improve their blocks.”

With only 6.7 percent of its land area covered by trees, Bayview Hunters Point falls well short of the 13.7 percent city average – and San Francisco is one of the least leafy cities in the nation. Despite its “green” reputation, San Francisco ranks only 17th among the 20 most populous U.S. cities in its tree canopy coverage.

Worse yet, our urban forest is shrinking, because tree mortality is currently outpacing tree planting. The San Francisco city government has allocated very little funding to its own tree planting program in recent years.

“Tree planting brings neighbors together,” said FUF Executive Director Dan Flanagan. “We love to help neighborhood residents transform and improve their blocks.”

To receive a tree, sign up at http://www.fuf.net/bayview/ or contact Kyle at kyle@fuf.net or 415-268-0772. Someone other than the property owner can request the tree and can be identified as the caretaker of the tree, but the property owner must sign the forms.

Tree plantings are community events that involve the tree recipients, volunteer tree planters and FUF staff working side by side. They last from 9 a.m. to about noon, followed by lunch.

Since 1981, FUF has planted more than 50,000 trees, totaling 47 percent of San Francisco’s street tree canopy. Urban trees clean the air, reduce storm-water runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, beautify neighborhoods and increase property values.

For more information about FUF, see www.fuf.net.