The last downturn in economic conditions caused a large reduction in staff and funding for maintenance of trees and landscaping along streets, greenbelts and in parks. This resulted in limited pruning of trees, overgrown or dead landscaping and reduction in the quality of these areas.
Within the past few months, the city of Davis has been able to allocate additional funds to the maintenance of trees and landscaping. You may have noticed the tree trimming that has started in the Wildhorse area and will be progressing throughout the city over a seven-year cycle. The crews are trimming limbs that extend low over streets, walkways, private fences, roofs of homes and sometimes removing dead or dying trees. The limbs are chipped on site and used as mulch.
The additional landscape maintenance is occurring in parks, greenbelts and along city streets and sidewalks. The trimming reduces the size of shrubs, keeps them within the landscaping areas and — by raising the lower sections of some of the large shrubs — visibility and security in the area is increased. This work is on a shorter cycle and again the trimmings are chipped on site and used as mulch.
If trees or landscaping in your area need attention, you can contact the Parks Department and explain your concerns, so they can be added to the schedule. You can also improve the quality of our parks and greenbelts by not leaving garbage or litter and picking it up if you find some. Also, dog owners need to be responsible and pick up after their pets. Remember, these areas belong to all of us, and leaving messes for others to clean up requires more taxes.
The city of Davis needs additional revenue for the proper maintenance of our trees, landscaping and parks. The upgrading of the irrigating systems and the cost of water has had a large impact on the funds available for maintenance. It’s in everyone’s best interest to support additional funding for maintenance of the trees, greenbelts and parks to help preserve the quality of life in Davis.

Travie J. Westlund
Davis

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