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Sidewalk Repair and Maintenance Mature trees causing infrastructure conflicts can be seen in buckling sidewalks or uneven pathways throughout the City. This is a result from planting the wrong tree in the wrong space, and is observed in many cities. Urban trees planted long ago may have applied the most recent research and available knowledge at the time, however, a tree’s lifecycle spans longer than human, and arboriculture research on the ‘right tree’ for the ‘right place’ advances as the industry, and the trees, mature. Research continues to learn more about root damage potential for common urban tree species, however arboriculture BMPs and recommended species lists provide research based guidelines, allowing Pleasanton’s urban forestry program to actively plant the ‘right tree’ in the ‘right place.’ When a tree and infrastructure conflict occur, the tree is growing out of its planting site, meaning the tree is a large, maturing tree. Large maturing trees in urban environments provide the most benefits for the community including cleaner air, stormwater mitigation, heat mitigation, shade, and wildlife habitat, among others. As a tree matures, the provide benefits to the surrounding community increase. Because of a tree’s lifespan, it takes years for young trees to grow to replace the benefits of a removed tree. Removing mature trees without considering these benefits increase the potential for future generations to live without areas shaded by canopy cover, enjoyed by residents today. Urban forestry in Pleasanton aims to balance safe and usable infrastructure with protecting mature trees to provide these benefits. Removing trees for a municipal urban forestry program is a necessary maintenance practice. Tree and infrastructure conflicts may be avoided at the time of planting, or infrastructure may be mitigated to preserve a mature tree. Exploring the potential conflict resolution methods prior to recommending a tree for removal is necessary and aligns with the City’s urban forestry goals. When existing trees and infrastructure conflict, identifying which trees provide enough benefits and are in a healthy enough condition to preserve through sidewalk or other infrastructure repair, is an imperative process in urban forestry management. The table below contains a list of sidewalk solutions which are feasible at tree planting and when protecting an existing tree while resolving sidewalk conflicts and should be considered at planting and when a conflict arises. Responsible use of public funds, preserving the long-term benefits of urban forestry, and doing so with an intentional, strategic methodology, are all priorities of the City and leadership of Pleasanton.