City leaders to consider revamping palm tree trimming policy, citing concerns over safety ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

Incidents like this one, which saw a palm tree skirt crash down on a parked vehicle, could be a thing of the past if policy revisions making their way through City Hall are approved.

Palm Springs leaders are considering revising the city’s palm tree trimming policy to allow removal of large skirts that sometimes come crashing down on people and property.

The City Council postponed a vote on the new policy that was listed in its consent agenda Tuesday evening, choosing to seek additional public input. The updated policy that was under consideration would allow for removal of the dry fronds from most California Fan Palms in public rights-of-way, while maintaining some trees in their natural state in Downtown Park.

Under the proposed new guidelines, all California Fan Palms and Mexican Fan Palms in public rights-of-way would have fruit pods removed. California Fan Palms outside Downtown Park would have dry fronds removed and trunks skinned, as would all Mexican Fan Palms.

The policy aims to balance safety concerns with preserving Palm Springs’ signature look. Recent storm events highlighted risks posed by palm trees in their natural state, with fronds becoming displaced during high winds.

An incident in March on a downtown sidewalk, which resulted in injuries to a 2-month-old child, renewed debate over the city’s palm tree maintenance practices, which have come under fire multiple times since they were first adopted in 2009.

Approximately 3,900 California Fan Palms would be affected by the new policy. However, 140 trees in Downtown Park would remain untouched, retaining their natural skirts and unskinned trunks.

To mitigate potential risks, fronds on Downtown Park palms would be sheared to provide a 12-foot minimum clearance from the ground. The city would also install advisory signs in the park to warn the public about potential falling fronds.

Implementation of the new policy would occur in phases over four years, starting with the most populated areas like downtown and the airport, before moving to parks, medians, parkways, and assessment districts.

The rules under consideration would also see the city avoid trimming during peak nesting season from April 15 to June 30 annually. If trimming is required for public safety during this period, an urban biologist would inspect trees before work begins.