Let’s talk about street tree basins!

Let’s talk about tree basins! Have you ever wondered: 🌳 Can I have a tree planted in an empty basin? 🌿 How do I keep my tree basin looking nice? 📏 How is tree basin size determined? We’ve got the answers! 🌳 If you’d like a tree to be planted in an empty tree basin that previously held a tree, please fill out a tree interest form.

🌿 When we plant the tree, we cover it in a 3” layer of mulch which looks nice and keeps the soil moist. After the first year, you can plant small, non-aggressive, annual, native flowers in the basin.

📏 We cut concrete for basins with 2 factors in mind:

Healthy Trees: Larger cuts allow for more space for trees to grow, more water to drain off the sidewalk into the tree basin, and more oxygen exchange with the atmosphere.

The Safest Sidewalk: Concrete damage from street trees is largely correlated to the size of the tree basin. By giving a tree a larger cutout, we reduce the chance that the tree will damage or uplift the sidewalk, and ensure a smooth, flat, unhindered path of travel for pedestrians.

Our basin sizes are approved by San Francisco Public Works code, City code, and ADA requirements for path of travel.