Politics & Government

Non-Profit Hopes to 'ReLeaf' San Rafael Neighborhoods

Marin ReLeaf hopes to add between 10 and 20 new trees to residential streets.

Non-profit Marin ReLeaf hopes to plant between 10 and 20 trees in three San Rafael neighborhoods by November, according to Nancy Hughes, board member and secretary for the organization.

At a meeting with the Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods on Wednesday, members from Marin ReLeaf passed out brochures and applications to get at a maximum three trees per property by the end of the year. The program would bring people out of their houses to beautify their streets, Hughes said.

“I consider myself very civic-minded but I don’t really know my neighbors. [A tree planting event] is an opportunity for people to come together," she said.

If approved for tree planting, the resident’s property will be inspected before they can start digging.

“You can’t plant a tree anywhere,” Hughes said. “And there is no precedent in San Rafael for this type of event.”

Since there have not been any community tree planting efforts for residential areas in San Rafael, city standards for placement of trees is hazy. You can’t plant a large tree too close to a stop sign or under power lines because of safety, she said.

Marin ReLeaf is working with other communities where similar programs took place so they can make sure there are no obstacles when the trees are ready to be put in the ground.

Once the trees are in place, the “tree steward” is responsible for the sapling for three years when maintenance transfers to the city, Director Dave Duncan said. Marin ReLeaf officials plan to make annual visits until then to make sure trees are properly cared for.

The organization will assess tree requests by need. “Some areas, like Gerstle Park, already have so many trees, and other areas are practically bald,” San Rafael resident Amy Likover said.

The deadline for the applications is Sept. 30. The tree planting event is planned for a Saturday morning in November.

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