2020 2nd Quarter Report Shows Initial Impact of COVID-19 on Tree Cutting
COVID-19 had a significant impact in the number of trees cut during the 2nd quarter of 2020 and the reasons for removal.
Overall, tree cutting dropped by 20% compared to the previous quarter, with a 32% drop among trees being cut for construction related purposes (plan reviews). This decline offset the increases in tree cutting that occurred the first two quarters of FY 2020, ending the fiscal year of 2020 with approximately the same number of trees being cut this fiscal year (15,991) as last (15,935).
However, there has been a marked shift this year in the type of tree cuttings taking place in FY 2020 that became even more pronounced during the last quarter of FY 2020.
Even though 20% fewer trees were cut during 4th quarter FY 2020, there was a 7% increase in net loss of trees due to much lower tree replanting. Only 30% of all removed trees were replanted, down from 47% the quarter before. And because replanted trees were also smaller -- 2.8” DBH as opposed to 3.3” DBH the last two quarters -- and destroyed trees were larger -- 18.5" DBH compared to 17.8” DBH the previous quarter – tree trunk inches replaced fell from 9% to 5%.
Reporting Period: April 1, 2020 - June 30, 2020
Data Source: DCP Reporting, FY 2020 - Q4 Report*
Note: This table does not include 45 trees removed illegally with DBH unknown (i.e. cut down to the stump or grinded)
*Includes trees on private property only, which are managed by the Arborist Division. Does not include trees on public property, which are managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation.