California landscaping question

Started by BethJ2 • 7 replies • 1698 views

💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

BethJ2 (California)
Posts: 62

Posted:

I have a question for southern CA boards. Do you typically budget for tree trimming once a year or every other year? We have a lot of Chinese Elm, Melaleuca and Sycamore trees. Do you put this in the reserves or operating budget?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

Beth,

I can't speak about CA HOAs. My association has a modest tree trimming line item in the budget every year. However, there was no plan of action for the trees. Trees were trimmed as each board thought was appropriate.

Recently we contacted an Arborist who walked the entire property with a map and identified issues for 90% of the trees. At our request, the Arborist then prioritized (safety, diseased, etc.) the work that was needed. This told us two things:

1) we need a larger tree budget
2) the Associations previous method was not adequate.

Some Associations will do as our Association has done and just have a simple line item but no plan. Others might not have a line item at all and treats trimming as misc. or emergency expenses. Others have trees as part of their Reserve study.

Hope this helps.

Tim

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563

Posted:

Our twin towers in an urban SoCal setting comprise one square city block. A few dozen 10-yr. old Liquidambers are on the sidewalks that surround our premises and are our responsibility. We have them trimmed every two years and the cost is a line item in our operating budget. Our regular landscapers, who come 2x a week, "skirt" them, cut off low dead branches, etc.

Within our premises, we have several Queen Palms that are trimmed once a year & that's in our operating budget too. Tree replacement isn't in our reserve study, but perhaps should be. We will lose a tree this year and the replacement will be expensed from the contingency line item in our operating budget.

JC7
Posts: 31

Posted:

Beth,
Yes, you should include this as a line item on your reserves. When in doubt refer to the Davis-Sterling act. This website has been very helpful.

JM10 (California)
Posts: 503

Posted:

Just a general comment on landscaping and tree trimming. Trees should be trimmed once a year. Depending upon the height, you might need to have a licensed contractor do them. Because of drought and high winds, it is important to have these inspections to prevent branches from falling and damaging people or property.

Drought leaves trees leafless and stresses them, making them more likely to get various diseases and infestations.

DavidS36 (Nevada)
Posts: 20

Posted:

Our HOA has two types of trees much the same as much of CA. The palm trees are trimmed once each year to remove dead/dying fronds. The "leaf" trees are trimmed as needed, typically every couple of years. Both events are in the tree trimming budget, separate from monthly landscape maintenance. We have about 200 "leaf" trees and about 50 palms.

ValorieL (California)
Posts: 2

Posted:

I am a community manager in Calif, and recommend you have an arborist provide you a 3-Year Tree Plan. This should include annual building clearance pruning, and a rotating schedule to prune all trees for shape and health of the trees. This will give you a good figure to use in your annual budget.

Communities that were planted with trees very close to the buildings definitely require annual pruning. I would include this cost in the annual Operating Budget and have your reserves funded for tree removal and replacements.

DavidA7 (California)
Posts: 179

Posted:

We have a line item on our Budget for tree trimming to be conducted bi-annually. We are in CA.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

✓ Ask follow-up questions
✓ Share your experience
✓ Get expert advice
✓ Access 350,000 discussions

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here