QUERCUS virginiana, commonly known as the Southern Live Oak is one of the many trees in the oak tree genus affected by the newly passed ordinance in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County, CA, has recently passed an Oak Tree Ordinance effective September 1998. The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, and states that a person shall not cut, destroy, remove, relocate, inflict damage, or encroach into the protected zone of any tree of the oak tree genus without first obtaining a permit.

The process of obtaining a permit is more difficult if more than one tree is to be damaged. A permit must be filed, then an oak tree report needs to be filled out by the applicant showing the burden of proof in regards to the necessity of damaging the tree. A public hearing will also take place.

According to Leonard Erlanger, Planner for Los Angeles County, the new ordinance applies to Landscape Contractors because "if they are certified arborists, they can help the applicants prepare the oak tree reports."

The ordinance was established to recognize oak trees as significant historical, aesthetic, and ecological resources. Many types of oaks are indigenous to Los Angeles County and are widely used in residential landscaping.

For more information about the ordinance, contact the LA County Department of Regional Planning at (213) 947-6401.