Arborist Services & Tree Protection

Arborist Services   

Under general direction, the Town Arborist plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, reviews and enforces Town ordinances regarding heritage trees and landscape screening; acts as a technical advisor regarding forestry practices on public and private property; serves as staff to the tree committee and Planning Commission as needed; provides a variety of technical support to the department in the processing of plans and permits and attendance at a variety of regulatory meetings; and performs related work as required.

Sally Bentz
Town Arborist
650-752-0526
Email Sally Bentz 

(Town Arborist in-person counter hours: Tuesday & Thursday 1-4pm. An appointment is not required.)

*Please note that City Maintained public trees are only located in the Town Center, Holbrook-Palmer Park, within Town medians and Northbound on Middlefield Road between Ringwood Avenue and Marsh Road. 
*All other trees are the responsibility of the property owner or adjacent property owner. 

Quarterly Arborist Reports

Quarterly arborist reports are required for construction sites. Reports are due November 15th, February 15th, May 15th and August 15th.  

Tree Quarterly Inspection Report Requirement Information (PDF)

Tree Monthly Activity Report Example (PDF)

Upload Here icon

Atherton Tree Removal and Tree Protection Exemption (TPZ) Permits

Please note: The Town Arborist does not consult on private property. Please contact a private tree company. If your tree is found to be dead or dangerous, a tree removal application and fee can be submitted in person at the Town Center, Monday through Friday from 8-11 am or 1-4 pm or emailed to hluo@ci.atherton.ca.us and sbentz@ci.atherton.ca.us. We do not accept applications online or through the portal. Once the application and fee is received, the Town Arborist will complete the inspection.

(NOTE: Please email your application to hluo@ci.atherton.ca.us. Payment by check can be mailed to Town of Atherton, 80 Fair Oaks Ave., Atherton, CA 94027. Please allow two weeks for the Town Arborist to review. Permits will be issued electronically if approved and payment has been received.)

Landscape Screening

Landscape Screening is required for new construction projects.

Landscape Screening Code

Landscape Screening Checklist and Agreement (PDF)

Tree Protection and Construction Related Tree Information and After Standards

All trees to be preserved with 6 feet high, minimum 12-gauge chain link fence. Fences are to be mounted on 2-inch diameter galvanized iron posts, driven into the ground to a depth of at least 2 feet at no more than 10 feet spacing. This detail shall appear on grading, demolition and building permit plans. 

Tree Education

To report a dead or dangerous tree in or near a public right of way or street, you can report to the Town by using seeclickfix.

Public Works Department Arborist Service