Landscape and Trees

Trees and Landscape Maintenance

Trees are at the root of what makes Cerritos such a beautiful city. Since the City’s incorporation in 1956, the Public Works Department has planted more than 30,000 trees along City sidewalks and medians, next to freeway ramps and throughout Cerritos' 24 parks and recreation facilities. This "urban forest" helps give Cerritos its character as a park-like community.

Citywide Tree Trimming Schedule

Crews from the City's Parks & Trees Division regularly trim the 30,000 street trees that line Cerritos streets and beautify Cerritos neighborhoods and parks. In addition to providing shade, beauty and protection from noise and air pollution, realtors say mature trees can increase property values.

To help protect Cerritos street trees, City staff have been trained in proper pruning techniques established by the International Society of Arborculture and the National Arborists Association that help enhance the trees' health, strength and appearance and prevent limbs from falling or interfering with houses, driveways, sidewalks and wires.

Improper pruning can be dangerous. The chopping of tree branches, called "topping," can weaken trees, increase likelihood of broken branches, expose them to disease or fungus, promote irregular growth and rob trees of their food supply.

If the street tree in front of your property needs care or trimming, please leave the job to the City's tree care professionals. To request service, call the Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220 or fill out our online Tree Trimming Request Form

Pay to Trim Program

The City’s Pay to Trim Program allows homeowners to pay for the trimming of their parkway tree if it is causing damage to homeowner’s property, excessive maintenance, or a public health or safety hazard. The homeowner is financially responsible for any necessary repairs to the public right-of-way resulting from the trimming project.

If you are interested in participating in the Pay to Trim Program, please follow the steps below:

Retain a qualified tree maintenance contractor with a D49 license and a valid Contractor’s license issued by the State of California.
Complete the Parkway Tree Application Form.
Visit the Public Works counter at City Hall to submit the Parkway Tree Application Form and fill out a No-Fee Tree Trimming Permit Application. Your contractor must also hold or obtain a City of Cerritos business license.
Submit the completed applications to the Public Works counter at City Hall. Once approved, the Trees Division will return a copy of the application to you and schedule a pre-inspection.
Once the tree trimming project has been completed, the City will conduct a final inspection to determine the condition of the surrounding property and to ensure that the tree was trimmed within the standards described in the City’s Municipal Code.

If you have any questions, please contact the Cerritos Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220.

Tree Removal Requests

Cerritos parkway and street trees will only be removed if they are diseased, dying or dead, or if they pose a threat to public health or safety. Property owners can request a tree removal application under these circumstances by returning the Parkway Tree Application Form to the Cerritos Public Works Deparmtnet.

If the City agrees that the tree should be removed, it will be taken out and replaced at the City’s expense. If a street-tree removal request is denied by City staff, you may appeal that decision within 10 days to the City’s Property Preservation Commission, the citizens’ advisory group that helps maintain high standards for private property in Cerritos.

The commission will notify your neighbors when a public hearing has been scheduled to consider the removal. The Property Preservation Commission is authorized to remove no more than 50 trees each year. The City’s intent is to preserve street trees whenever possible for the enjoyment of the community.

Pay to Remove Program

The City’s Pay to Trim Program allows homeowners to pay for the cost of tree removal plus the cost to replace the tree (the replacement tree is specified by the City’s Public Works Department). The homeowner is financially responsible for any necessary repairs to the public right-of-way resulting from the pay to remove project.

If you are interested in participating in the program, please follow the steps below:

Retain a qualified tree maintenance contractor with a D49 license and a valid Contractor’s license issued by the State of California.
Complete the Parkway Tree Application Form.
Visit the Public Works counter at City Hall to submit the Parkway Tree Application Form and fill out a No-Fee Tree Removal Permit Application. Your contractor must also hold or obtain a City of Cerritos business license.
Submit the completed applications to the Public Works counter at City Hall. Once approved, the Trees Division will return a copy of the application to you and schedule a pre-inspection.
Once the tree removal project has been completed, the City will conduct a final inspection to determine the condition of the surrounding property and to ensure that the tree was trimmed within the standards described in the City’s Municipal Code.

If you have any questions, please contact the Cerritos Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220.

Report a Public Tree Issue

City trees are trimmed on a regular schedule, so residents do not need to request this service. However, if you feel the tree in your parkway requires additional trimming, please contact the City. Also, if you see a City tree that is unhealthy looking or posing a hazard, or if its roots are pushing up on the sidewalk or curb, please report it by:

Calling the Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220
Mailing a letter describing the location of the tree and the problem to the Cerritos Public Works Department, P.O. Box 3130, Cerritos, CA 90703-3130; or
Submitting an online Tree Trimming Request Form through this website.

A tree supervisor will inspect the tree and take necessary actions.

Tree Care in Cerritos

i. City Duties

Parkway trees are owned and maintained by City crews on a regular trimming schedule. Parkway trees are generally located in the area between the sidewalk and the curb of any street. Tree trimming is done to enhance the trees’ health and to make sure sidewalks and streets are clear of safety hazards.