Bakersfield officials, environmental advocates, and residents debated how the city should manage and expand its tree canopy during a City Council meeting on March 11.

Members of the Bakersfield Tree Advisory Group (TAG) presented an update on Bakersfield’s urban forestry efforts at the meeting.

The discussion continued a community conversation about tree trimming practices, transparency, and long-term environmental planning.

City staff said the program is still in its early stages and will continue evolving as officials evaluate progress and pursue additional funding. The city is focusing on planting new trees, maintaining existing ones, and seeking grants and other funding sources to support the program.

Staff told councilmembers they plan to review the program’s first year to determine what worked and what could be improved.

Officials said tree planting will be prioritized in neighborhoods with the lowest tree canopy coverage, particularly in Ward 1 and Ward 7, where residents often experience higher temperatures and fewer shaded areas.

The city is also working with the Bakersfield Tree Advisory Group, a volunteer panel of arborists, researchers, and community members created to help expand the city’s urban forest. 

According to the group’s presentation, 1,222 trees were planted and 704 removed in 2025, out of an estimated 450,000 to 500,000 trees citywide. Over the past 11 months, several TAG recommendations have been implemented or adopted.

Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur said the Tree Advisory Group was originally created to better understand the city’s tree inventory and reduce heat in Bakersfield neighborhoods.

“When the council first established the Tree Advisory Group, the goal really was to reduce the heat island effect and study how many trees we have and whether we’re taking good care of them,” Kaur said.

During the discussion, Kaur raised concerns that the city currently lacks a comprehensive system for tracking tree removals and replacements.

“I think that’s kind of the crux of the issue we’re not documenting when a tree gets removed or why, and then we don’t know where to put that tree back,” Kaur said.

She asked staff to explore software that could help create a citywide tree inventory and better track planting and removal efforts.

Kaur also suggested expanding the Tree Advisory Group to include more community organizations and recommended establishing a guiding principle of planting at least one new tree for every tree removed.

“I feel there are a lot of folks committed to making sure that we reduce the heat in our city and are able to plant more trees,” she said.

The city attorney said Development Services would draft a relevant policy and review existing tree ordinances.

Staff also announced an upcoming Earth Day tree-planting event on April 25 at San Miguel Grove Park, where volunteers and community members will help plant trees and clean up the surrounding neighborhood.

Experts told councilmembers that careful planning is essential for urban tree planting.

Dr. John Carlick of the University of California Cooperative Extension said soil conditions, irrigation systems and nearby infrastructure can affect whether trees survive.

Marcus Rodriguez, executive director of facilities and operations at Bakersfield College, said improving tree coverage is especially important in a region that consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for air pollution.

The council discussion comes after months of community criticism about how the city trims and maintains trees.

In a February article by Kern Sol News, community members and Sierra Club representatives raised concerns about aggressive trimming and called for a written schedule limiting trimming to once every six years, similar to policies used in other California cities.

Residents also spoke about the role trees play in addressing Bakersfield’s air pollution and extreme heat.

Sharon Brielle told the council that Bakersfield has ranked among the worst cities in the nation for particle pollution and ozone levels in recent years.

“Every dollar invested returns nearly two in public health benefits,” she said.

Brielle also called for more transparency about the city’s tree planting efforts.

Eddie Laine of the Sierra Club criticized parts of the city’s tree-trimming report and called for more detailed public reporting, including monthly updates on how many trees are trimmed or removed and the cost of the work.

Other residents asked for clearer information on where newly planted trees are located and whether they are reaching neighborhoods that need them most.

Officials also noted that planting trees in some neighborhoods can be more expensive because irrigation systems are not always available, making it harder for newly planted trees to survive.

Despite disagreements over strategy and transparency, council members agreed that expanding Bakersfield’s tree canopy is important in a city known for extreme summer heat and persistent air pollution.

The council voted to receive and file the report and directed staff to continue working with the Tree Advisory Group as the city develops a long-term urban forest management strategy.