We are located at 12601 Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Our offices are located in Coldwater Canyon Park, which is a Los Angeles City Park.

Directions to TreePeople Yurt Village

Coldwater Canyon Park is open every day from 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Our park has lots of wide, open hiking trails with beautiful views of the canyon and the San Fernando Valley. TreePeople offers a variety of themed and guided tours and hikes for you to choose from. We also offer Eco-tour field trips for schools!

Park Map

Tours and Hikes

School groups are welcome to book an EcoTour field trip

Trees are a vital part of our urban infrastructure and play a critical role in environmental quality, human health and well-being, green economy, social cohesion, and climate mitigation and adaptation.

Trees are cost effective long-term investments and add real value in dollars and cents to a community. In fact, the larger the tree, the greater the benefits – trees are the only type of infrastructure whose value INCREASES with time and age. In fact, when assessing the costs and benefits, we always come out ahead when we plant the right trees in the right place.

We couldn’t begin to count all of the ways trees are important, but here are 22 of them to get you started.

TreePeople does not donate or sell trees. The trees we grow in our nursery are used for our restoration work in Wildland Areas.

However, if you live in the City of Los Angeles, you can receive up to seven free trees for your property through the City Plants Program!

If you don't live in the City of Los Angeles, contact your local city government about whether they have a free tree distribution program.

If you are interested in organizing your own neighborhood street tree or local park tree planting and you live in Los Angeles County, then we can provide you with the knowledge and skills to do so – you can become a Citizen Forester. If you want to organize a school planting, please attend our School Greening workshop or ask for our Project Toolkits for smaller school projects! We specialize in empowering communities to improve our urban forest and the environment.

To identify common urban tree species in California, please visit www.urbantreekey.calpoly.edu or find a copy of “A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us” by Matt Ritter.

First, determine the tree species. See “Can you help me identify a tree” question above.

Next, get information on the tree to determine the specific requirements for the tree (how to care for it). We recommend you go to https://selectree.calpoly.edu/ and the Sunset Western Garden Book to learn more about your tree. There’s a good chance that the problem with your tree is from improper tree care.

If you determine that your tree is sick from a pest or disease, LA County residents can send a sample (for free) for diagnosis or identification to the Entomology and Plant Pathology Laboratories of Los Angeles County. We recommend sending photos with the samples to make the process easier for the scientists making the diagnosis.

Here at TreePeople, we have a saying: “Right Tree, Right Place, Right Time of Year.” Take some time to figure out the appropriate tree for your climate and landscape – and choose plants and trees that are native to this region when you can!

For general tree selection advice, visit SelecTree. The website provides valuable information to help you select the best species for your specific needs. Check out TreePeople’s DIY Center, including the How to Choose the Right Tree for the Right Place guide.

If you want more information about transforming your yard into a drought-resistant landscape, we recommend contacting a certified arborist (aka tree surgeons) that will be able to identify your needs and provide you with the best solutions. Here is a database of certified arborists. You can search their website by zip code to find an arborist near you.

For Los Angeles County, residents, visit our resources site for landscape and planting ideas.

Unfortunately, we can’t help you trim your tree. We recommend contacting a certified arborist who will be able to assess the situation and instruct you on the proper care of your tree(s). Here is a database of certified arborists. You can search their website by zip code to find an arborist near you.

You can check out TreePeople’s DIY Center, which includes the videos: How to Prune a Tree and Living and Dead Branches. We also have videos in Spanish on pruning plants and more.

First, is it private or public?

PRIVATE

Identify the type of tree for removal (see “Can you help me identify a tree?” question above) and then check with your local city hall on the rules for removing protected versus non-protected trees and any restrictions that may apply. In the City of LA, it is legal to remove a non-protected tree on private property (see “What are Protected Trees? Which Trees are Protected” question to learn more). However, as TreePeople, we want to protect all trees–even when they’re on private property–and would recommend tree removal only when there is imminent failure of the tree or the tree has become hazardous to life or property (e.g. dead tree).

PUBLIC

Unlike private trees, there are actually more rules applied to public trees. So it’s very important to identify the type of tree being considered for removal and which agency is responsible for that tree. To find out, visit your local city hall or their website for information. They will have the rules for removing and not removing trees from public properties. Typically permits are needed, but again, your local city hall and public agency will have that information. Here is an example of a tree planting ordinance and example of a tree removal ordinance for Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City respectively, for reference - which your town/city may have something similar to. If you’d like to challenge a street tree removal permit application, find out how here.

In the City of Los Angeles, it is ILLEGAL to remove protected trees without a removal permit by the Board of Public Works; see the “What are Protected Trees? Which Trees are Protected?” questions below for resources to help you identify protected versus non-protected trees.

Any act that may cause the failure or death of a protected tree requires inspection by the Urban Forestry Division in the City of Los Angeles specifically.

Outside of the City of Los Angeles, check your local city hall location or their website and see if they provide information about any protected tree laws/ordinances/statutes and any rules to tree removal.

It is ALSO ILLEGAL to remove trees that aren’t on your property without permission and/or permits from the owner of the property and/or the city.

First, find out if the tree or trees are protected under a tree protection ordinance – this varies by municipality so we recommend you check with your local city hall office or website for information.

To identify the tree species in California, visit www.urbantreekey.calpoly.edu or find a copy of “A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us” by Matt Ritter. You can find the links to city tree ordinances in the “What are protected trees? Which Trees are protected?” question below. If any protected species are on that property then contact the appropriate city agency or department to alert them of the potential removal. If you don’t know who to contact, a quick visit to your city hall or their website should lead you in the right direction.

If the tree is not protected under the ordinance, then it is up to the owner to develop their private property and they have the right to remove the tree. However, you can share with them TreePeople’s article ‘22 Benefits of Trees.’

The first thing to do is to find out why the tree (whether it’s on the street, in a park, or on any other public property) is being removed. It may be dying, hazardous to people or property, sick, or carrying pests or diseases that can harm other trees. If this is not the case, see if other alternatives besides tree removal have been considered - such as moving the tree to another location or altering the size of the planting area.

Next, determine who requested the tree removal, who is removing the tree (e.g. a city agency or private business), and when the proposed removal date is.

Then, find out whether or not the agency or business has a permit to remove the tree. You can visit your local city hall office or website to help find that information.

See if you can also identify the tree species by visiting www.urbantreekey.calpoly.edu or use the key in “A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us” by Matt Ritter. Certain tree species may be covered under a local municipality’s tree protection ordinances, which will make it much easier to advocate for it.

Local laws vary by city and county, so visit your local city hall location or website for information on tree removal/protection agencies and relevant policies (see “What are protected trees? Which trees are protected?” question below for links to city tree ordinances).

For Los Angeles City specifically, check to see if the tree in danger is a cultural heritage tree at https://bss.lacity.org/urbanforestry/index_cultural.htm on streets or www.LAParks.org/forest/heritage-trees in parks. If it is, it’s protected and you should contact a city official immediately. For specific tree questions and concerns in Los Angeles, you can contact:

• Urban Forestry Division
• City Council Offices
• Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance
• Safe Sidewalks LA (only for sidewalk repair related tree removal)

If you live outside of the city of Los Angeles, find out if your city has a tree protection ordinance (see “What are protected trees? Which trees are protected?” question below for more specifics and city ordinances). If you cannot find answers online, contact or visit your city hall office or website to be pointed in the right direction for help.

The next steps are to look for resources in your neighborhood such as business councils, neighborhood councils, or chamber of commerce who might help protect the tree from being removed. Additionally, you may be able to attend public hearings for tree removal, and look for legal assistance if needed.

Some cities and counties have laws protecting certain species or types of trees. To find out which trees are protected in your area, visit your city hall office or website for information. See if your city’s tree protection ordinances are listed in the chart below.

The City of Los Angeles has a protected tree ordinance. The ordinance states: “This definition shall not include any tree grown or held for sale by a licensed nursery, or trees planted or grown as a part of a tree planting program.”

Therefore, the following tree species which meet the rules of the definition above are protected if they are 4” or more in diameter at 4.5’ up the trunk:

• (a) All native Oak trees including Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), or any other tree of the oak genus indigenous to California but excluding the Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa);
• (b) Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica var. californica);
• (c) Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa);
• (d) California Bay (Umbellularia californica).

Los Angeles County also has an Oak Tree Ordinance, protecting oaks over 8 inches in diameter, which applies to all unincorporated areas of the county.

Protected trees cannot be removed or cut down without an inspection from an arborist and a permit from the Board of Public Works. It is also illegal to damage a protected tree, including its roots.

For more information about the Protected Tree Ordinance in the City of Los Angeles, please visit here or contact Urban Forestry Division at (213) 847-3077.

Tree protection ordinances vary by city in terms of which trees are protected, what the protections are, and which departments are responsible for review and enforcement.

Some cities in Los Angeles County with tree protection ordinances include:

If your city is not listed here or you would like more information, contact or visit your local city hall or website to be pointed in the right direction.

Just because trees are protected doesn’t mean everyone follows the rules! It is not uncommon for property owners or developers to remove trees without a permit, either because they’re unaware of the law or trying to circumvent it.

The first thing to do is to determine the tree species and if it is protected under a local tree protection ordinance or not (see previous question for a sample list of tree protection ordinances in Los Angeles County). To identify the tree species in California, visit www.urbantreekey.calpoly.edu or find a copy of “A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us” by Matt Ritter. If you discover that the tree is protected, find out if those removing it have a permit. If they don’t have a permit, report it to the appropriate agency in your city (contact your local city hall to determine which agency to report to). If it does not fall under the protected tree ordinance of your local municipality (see the previous question, “What are ‘protected trees?’ Which trees are protected?”), then the property owner can legally remove the tree.

If you’re in a situation where you are comfortable talking to the property owner or person removing the tree, you can ask why they’re removing it. If the tree is protected, ask them whether or not they are aware of the local tree protection ordinance, and whether or not they have attained a permit. If it’s not protected, you can share with them 22 Benefits of Trees. You can also suggest to the property owner that they try to relocate, resell, or donate that tree if it is not protected by the local tree protection ordinance. Some tree moving companies may pay property owners for mature trees they can resell; do an internet search to find a company near you.

If you aren’t comfortable talking to the property owner or person removing the tree, contact a city agency (via your city hall) to see if a permit was issued and report the potential violation of the protected tree ordinance.

In the City of Los Angeles:

• If you see a protected tree is being or may be cut down without a permit, you can call 3-1-1 (within the city) or (800) 996-2489 and ask the call center specialist to walk you through submitting a tree violation report or inspection request.
• You can also file a report online. Just go to my311.lacity.org, select “Create Service Request,” select “Trees/Vegetation,” then choose the type of tree report.
• And finally, you can contact the Urban Forestry Division by asking for a transfer from 3-1-1 or calling (213) 847-3077.

If you live outside of the City of Los Angeles, contact or visit your city hall office or website for assistance.

Typically, trees could create an issue for sidewalks when the wrong tree was planted in the wrong place (i.e. trees with large trunks and/or roots that are planted too close to the sidewalk).

Alternative designs and materials can be used to save trees while fixing sidewalks; other cities like Seattle use alternative designs to handle tree root-sidewalk conflicts (e.g., ramping, meandering).

In the city of Los Angeles, visit http://sidewalks.lacity.org/ to see what can be done about a sidewalk in question.

Laws and permits regarding sidewalks vary by city. If you do not live within the city of Los Angeles, visit to your local city hall or website, find the agency/office that is in charge of sidewalks, and ask what can be done for the sidewalk and tree in question.

If the tree is on your own property, you have more leeway to protect your tree. Ask the city if there are ways for you to save the tree. There may be an option to deed some of your property to the city, so the sidewalk can be redirected to give your tree more space to grow.

Again, the way sidewalk issues are handled varies by city. Contact your local city hall, find the appropriate office for sidewalk construction, and ask about what can be done.

We'd love to have you volunteer with us! To get started, take a look at our volunteer calendar of events and select an event that sounds interesting and works with your schedule. Once you are registered, we will email you a confirmation with directions and details for the event you chose.

We limit the amount of volunteers at each event so that everyone involved has a fun, fulfilling experience. If the event you would like to participate in is full, please check to see if we have space at another event. If not, please keep us in mind in the future.

If you're part of a group, organization, or business, we welcome you to volunteer at our tree plantings, tree care events, and mountain restorations! For group volunteering, please email volunteer@treepeople.org to find an event that can accommodate your group.

We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities including: tree planting, tree care, mountain restoration, park maintenance, outreach, administration, and even photography.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can become a Volunteer Supervisor! We train two types of Volunteer Supervisors: one for urban forestry and one for mountain forestry. If you’re interested in focusing on trees in the city, become an Urban Planting Supervisor. If working in the mountains interests you more, become a Wildland Restoration Supervisor.

We could not do our work without the help of volunteer leaders who provide the instruction and inspiration to make our work successful. If you're a natural leader or you want to develop your leadership skills, this opportunity may be just for you.

The only speakers we currently offer are through our Teams for Trees program.

If you are interested in having Andy Lipkis, TreePeople Founder and President, speak to your group, click here for more information.

Yes! TreePeople has a range of experts who offer workshops throughout the community as well as at TreePeople.

For a workshop to your audience on topics covering landscape transformation, rainwater harvesting and native plants: please look at our events and workshops calendar.

For a workshop to your audience on topics related to trees: please email: leremita@treepeople.org.

For topics at schools, please email: schools@treepeople.org.

Absolutely! Our Citizen Forestry Program teaches ordinary people the extraordinary skills of renewing the urban landscape by planting and caring for trees. For more than 40 years, these programs have been a vibrant model of civic engagement, bringing people together to make our cities more beautiful.

We do! Check our events calendar to find a workshop suited for you.

For more information about indigenous plants, we also hold a free Drought Solutions and Native Plant Tour. We lead tours the first Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at our headquarters located in Coldwater Canyon Park, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills 90210.

Mulch is very important if you want your trees to grow healthy and strong!

Before selecting mulch, always consult an arborist to guide you. Some arborists actually offer it for free; you can use this link to find a certified arborist near you.

The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works has a free mulch giveaway program for city residents. To find the location nearest you, visit the City of LA mulch program page. You are allowed to take as much mulch as you want. All you need to do is bring your own shovel and bags.

If you don't live in the LA, we suggest contacting your local city government about whether they have a mulch giveaway program.

Yes there are! We have compiled resources to help you discover tools and ideas to make a more sustainable home.

If you decide to remove your turf, you may qualify for a rebate from the LADWP Landscape Transformation Program for LADWP customers or the Metropolitan Water District's Landscape Transformation Program if you have a different water provider. Rebates vary though the Metropolitan Water District’s program.

You can also learn more about rain barrels and tanks and apply for a rebate on rain barrels and cisterns through SoCalWaterSmart.com.

See our events calendar to find a workshop that suits your needs.

If you want to learn more about drought solutions, you also may be interested in joining us for one of our free Drought Solutions and Native Plant Tour. We lead tours the first Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at our headquarters located in Coldwater Canyon Park, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills 90210.