The tree growing between the sidewalk and the curb in front of many Los Angeles homes usually isn't the homeowner's tree at all.
Trees in the public parkway are generally street trees, overseen by the Urban Forestry Division of StreetsLA. Pruning, removing, or cutting significant roots on a street tree typically requires a city permit, and unpermitted work can lead to fines.
Trees fully on private property follow different rules, although protected native species such as oaks, western sycamores, and Southern California black walnuts carry their own restrictions wherever they grow.
Knowing which category a tree falls into is the first step before any work is planned. It's one of the most common questions in Los Angeles tree care, and getting it right up front saves time, money, and trouble with the city, especially for older trees whose roots are lifting nearby sidewalks.
#LosAngelesTreeService #StreetTrees #LATreePermits #UrbanForest
A photo of a mature parkway tree between a sidewalk and curb on a typical LA residential street, ideally from a real job. A simple Canva graphic labeling the parkway versus the private yard would also work well for this educational post.
Canva text suggestion: "Street Tree or Yours? Know First" or "Parkway Trees Need a City Permit"