Hanford, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

12, Street Trees and Shrubs (Ord. 020 as either (1) any Oak Tree native to Central California, specifically the Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), with a trunk diameter greater than 10 inches, or (2) any tree or group of trees the city council specifically designates for protection because of historical significance, special character or community benefit. The chapter's general term 'tree' is defined broadly as any perennial, woody plant exceeding six feet at maturity, whether single-stemmed or hedge-grown, and the definition expressly folds in both street trees and heritage trees, meaning the heavier protections aren't limited to the Valley Oak alone once council makes a specific designation.

Related definitions set the enforcement vocabulary: 'critical root zone' is measured from the tree's drip line radius plus one foot; 'damaged' covers bark loss over three inches across or splitting of the main trunk; 'dead' requires a director determination of advanced decline; and 'hazard' covers a tree that is dead, likely to fall, diseased, or obstructing traffic, signs, signals or streetlights. 'Director' is defined as the city's parks and recreation department director or designee, and 'city arborist' must be a member of the International Society of Arborists (or an equivalent organization) designated by that director.

530 makes the chapter's remedies non-exclusive, allowing criminal, civil or administrative enforcement in addition to any other remedy available under the municipal code or general law.