Trees make the community a better place to live and provide a lasting impression to all that live and visit there. Although estimates can be calculated for the monetary value of trees, the value of their contribution to individual residents, the community, and the environment is priceless. Trees provide a multitude of economic, environmental, and aesthetic benefits by:
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giving a distinctive character and identity to the community;
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establishing visual harmony and continuity along city streets;
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softening and screening of urban development;
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helping to diffuse noise;
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helping to increase and stabilize property values;
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enhancing people's sense of connection to nature and history;
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enhancing civic pride and involvement;
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providing shade and helping to cool "urban heat islands," reducing energy costs and consumption;
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moderating wind
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absorbing carbon dioxide, counteracting the global "greenhouse effect;" and
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producing oxygen and filtering airborne particulates, which help to reduce air pollution
There are approximately 600 existing street trees that have been inventoried within the Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan area. The dominant species include palms, ficus, pines, and eucalyptus. Some of the mature trees found within the area may have been planted as far back as the late 1800's, when Encinitas began to develop as a town. These trees are an important resource that distinguishes the downtown from other communities and should be preserved. The Architectural and Historic Re- sources Inventory of the Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan Area, (Appendix C) discusses these resources in more detail.
The Downtown Encinitas area enjoys a moderate, coastal climate with temperature ranges averaging between 55 and 70 degrees. All-time record lows range from 33 to 20 degrees (Sunset Western Gar- den Book, California Local Zone 24). The two soil types that are found in the area consist of welld-rained, deep loamy coarse sands and well-drained, fine sandy loam with a clay subsoil. More detail regarding the geographic and climatic conditions are discussed in the accompanying Environmental Impact Report, Appendix A.
Part of the community vision for Downtown Encinitas includes protecting and enhancing existing visual resources. The following issues relating to trees within the community are recognized:
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need for more street trees
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need for a tree preservation program
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need for a street tree maintenance program
The major goal of this master plan is to enhance the streetscapes of the downtown Encinitas specific plan area by establishing a comprehensive street tree program which addresses street tree preservation and provides a master street tree plan for all streets within the specific plan boundary. This goal will be achieved over the next several years, as Encinitas continues to evolve. In some instances, however, certain segments or entire street lengths of street trees can be installed along with street improvements in the near future. Refer to Chapter 11.0 for implementation priorities and programs.
Street trees in urban environments are subject to environmental stresses and conditions that do not beset other landscape situations: small planting spaces, air pollution, limited moisture, glare and reflection of heat from pavement and building walls, and damage to roots and bark from vehicles and delivery trucks. Under such conditions, street trees are more susceptible to disease and insects which, unfortunately, shorten the life expectancy of City street trees.
With this understanding, the following provisions specifically pertain to street trees within the specific plan area, in addition to the general landscape recommendations found in Section 4.8. Should a conflict exist between a provision in this section and a recommendation in Section 4.8, the provisions in this section shall take precedence.
a. 
Design/Planting Guidelines
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Trees species shall be selected from the designated street tree list in order to ensure that a variety of species, which are adapted to the coastal environment and urban conditions, are planted throughout the downtown Encinitas specific plan area.
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Evergreen trees with large canopies and dense winter foliage should be avoided on streets with an east-west axis.
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Street trees shall be planted in a minimum 4 x 6-foot planting area, wherever possible, to ensure optimum growth.
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Planting areas smaller than 4 x 6 feet or within 3 feet of the pavement, shall require a root control device.
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Parkways and medians of streets shall not be planted with the same species.
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Parkways and medians shall consist of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and ground-cover. The use of turf in parkways and medians shall be prohibited. Refer to Landscape Guidelines, Section 4.8 for suggested shrubs and groundcovers.
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Street trees shall be a minimum 15 gallon in size.
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Accent trees shall be a minimum 15 gallon in size or larger.
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Street trees shall be properly installed according to the City's landscape planting standards.
b. 
Management/Maintenance Guidelines
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Dead trees or trees in very poor condition should be removed in order to reduce safety hazards.
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Monitor overall species and age diversity.
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Continue to maintain and keep the City-wide street tree inventory up to date.
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Monitor and take action against pests and diseases within the plan area and on a citywide basis.
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Immediately replace trees that have been removed with a tree as per the designated street tree list.
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Illegally removed street trees are subject to a replacement penalty.
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Stub cutting techniques (heading back large limbs) shall be prohibited.
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Establish a street tree maintenance program.
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Enlarge planting areas (minimum 4 x 6 feet) around existing street trees where feasible.
(Ord. 2019-28)
Most streets in the Downtown Encinitas specific plan area are characterized by an eclectic tree palette. There are a few small thematic groupings of trees scattered along some streets. The overall goal of the street tree concept plan is to provide a dominant street tree for each street within the specific plan area. This will provide continuity and reinforce the distinct character of individual streets with-in the Downtown area. Street trees, to be planted when new or in-fill development occurs or when replacements for old or diseased trees are required, shall be planted with the designated theme street tree(s).
Although numerous mature eucalyptus, ficus, and cypress trees exist throughout the community and are recommended for preservation, these trees will be phased out over time through natural attrition because of maintenance and hardscape problems associated with these species.
Theme street trees have been selected for all the streets within the specific plan area listed below and shall be planted in accordance with the City's landscape planting standards. In addition, one or more species can be selected from the suggested street tree palette is provided below for all other streets within the specific plan area. Either one or more species can be selected from this list for planting along the parkway within the street right-of-way of these other streets.
Neighborhoods should be planted with a variety of species rather than just with one or two species in order to ensure that an entire neighborhood is not denuded of street trees due to a pest, disease, climatic occurrence, or other problems. However, each street should have a dominant species, which provides design unity along the streetscape. The street trees listed below are well suited for our coastal climate, street conditions, and almost all are drought tolerant.
Additional tree species may be planted within the Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan area at the discretion of the City Manager or designee, who shall follow the City's most recent overall street tree planting list. Factors to be considered include the long-term health of the tree, location, compatibility with the adjacent uses, as well as other design considerations. Priority shall be given to drought tolerant and drought resistant tree species. No tree, shrub, or plant listed as invasive in the City's invasive plant policy shall be planted.
THEME STREET TREES
East-West Streets:
Encinitas Boulevard (between First Street & Vulcan Avenue)2
Syagrus romanzoffian, Queen Palm1
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
C Street (between Second St. & street end)2
Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
D Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
E Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Yellow Jacaranda, Peltophorum dubium
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
F Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
G Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Marina Madrone, Arbutus marina
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
H Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Golden Trumpet Tree, Handroanthus chrysotrichus
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
I Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Silktree, Abizia julibrissin
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
J Street (between Cornish Drive & street end)2
Chinese Pistache, Pistacia chinensis
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
North-South Streets:
Vulcan Avenue (between Encinitas Boulevard & J Street)2
Parkway:
Laurus nobilis, Sweet Bay (see exception below)
Formal planting, maximum 40 feet on center.
Median:
Lantana montevidensis, Trailing Lantana
Plant triangular spacing, 4 feet apart.
Exception - along the east side of Vulcan Avenue between D & E Streets, maintain existing palms or replace with a tree from the tree list below at a maximum of 30 feet on center.
First Street (between Encinitas Blvd. & southern SP boundary)2
Planter streetscape nodes at intersections:
Erythrina humeana, Natal Coral Tree1
Second Street (between C Street & southern SP boundary)2
Parkway:
Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis, Escarpment Live Oak
Quercus tomentella, Island Oak
Corymbia citriodora, Lemon-Scented Gum Planting instructions
Quercus suber, Cork Oak
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
Third Street (between C Street & southern SP boundary)2
Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis, Escarpment Live Oak
Quercus tomentella, Island Oak
Corymbia citriodora, Lemon-Scented Gum Planting instructions
Quercus suber, Cork Oak
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
Fourth Street (between C Street & southern SP boundary)2
Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis, Escarpment Live Oak
Quercus tomentella, Island Oak
Corymbia citriodora, Lemon-Scented Gum
Quercus suber, Cork Oak
Formal planting, maximum 30 feet on center.
SUGGESTED STREET TREES3
Albizia julibrissin, Silktree
Agonis flexuosa, Peppermint Tree
Arbutus marina, Marina Madrone
Arbutus unedo, Strawberry Tree
Brahea edulis, Guadalupe Palm
Butia capitata, Pindo Palm
Callistemon citrinus, Lemon Bottlebrush
Cassia leptophylla, Gold Medallion Tree
Corymbia citriodora, Lemon-Scented Gum
Eriobotrya japonica, Loquat
Erythea armata, Mexican Blue Palm
Handroanthus chrysotrichus, Golden Trumpet Tree
Harpephyllum caffrum, Kaffir Plum1
Jacaranda mimosifolia, Blue Jacaranda
Lagerstroemia indica 'Biloxi', Biloxi Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Cherokee', Cherokee Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Potomac', Potomac Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Seminole', Seminole Crape Myrtle
Leptosperum laevigatum, Australian Tea Tree
Ligustrum lucidum, Glossy Privet
Liriodendron tulipifera, Tulip Tree
Lophostemon confertus, Brisbane Box
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem,' Little Gem Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Majestic Beauty,' Majestic Beauty Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Samuel Sommer,' Samuel Sommer Southern Magnolia
Melaleuca nesophila, Pink Melaleuca (multi-trunk specimen)
Melaleuca quinquenervia, Cajeput Tree
Metrosideros excelsus, New Zealand Christmas Tree
Peltophorum dubium, Yellow Jacaranda
Pistacia chinensis, Chinese Pistache
Pittosporum crassifolium, Stiffleaf Cheesewood (std.)
Psidium littorale, Strawberry Guava
Quercus suber, Cork Oak
Quercus tomentella, Island Oak
Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis, Escarpment Live Oak
Rhus lancea, African Sumac
Spathodea campanulata, African Tulip Tree
Zizyphus jujuba, Chinese Jujube
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Some water needed during dry periods.
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Refer to streetscape concept plan, Section 4.7
3
Street tree spacing will vary according to species.
(Ord. 2019-28)