Loomis rolls out free oak tree adoption program for locals

In the works for years, the Town of Loomis officially rolled out an adopt-an-oak tree and pruning grant program this week. In an effort to preserve and maintain the Loomis oak forest canopy, the Town announced Wednesday a "50-50" grant program to prune oak trees on private properties. The Town will match up to $1,500 toward oak tree pruning for each property per fiscal year. Conditions apply to the program that assists Loomis property owners in paying for professional pruning services. Eligible species include Blue Oak, Valley Oak, Interior Live Oak and Oracle Oak, four trees identified as contributing heavily to the Loomis country character. The four-step process to apply for a Loomis oak pruning grant: 1) Review and agree to program terms and conditions. 2) Complete and submit the grant application to the Town for review and approval. 3) Have a professional tree care company with an ISA-certified arborist complete the approved pruning work. 4) Submit a payment and request form, before and after photos, and an invoice copy to Town Hall. The Town also launched the adopt-an-oak tree program where Loomis citizens can get a free juvenile oak tree in a five-gallon bucket to plant on private properties. The four oak species above are available for free. The Town also provides a graphic oak tree planting guide online. A recent Town study showed relatively little or no opportunities for planting oak trees in Loomis public areas, staff said. "The greatest opportunity for planting new oak trees in Loomis is on private property," said former Town Engineer Merrill Buck, who retired last month. Survivability increases because owners have a vested interest in nurturing oak trees "where they are wanted," he said. The application for a free oak tree, along with a copy of your driver's license/photo ID, utility bill and site plan can be submitted at Loomis Town Hall, 3665 Taylor Road, or via email to the townengineer@loomis.ca.gov. Staff advised allowing up to 30 days for the Town to review applications. The Town will contact citizens when an application has been approved, with notice of the date and time to pick up oak trees. The four oak species need a permit for removal, along with either replacement planting or in-lieu fees. The requirement primarily applies to commercial property, because the ordinance exempts residential parcels zoned 4.6 acres or less, staff said. Officials said the Loomis tree ordinance has collected more than $500,000 overall in mitigation fees over the years. In a controversial move, the Town spent $200,000 of it in 2022 to prune long-overgrown trees along Loomis roadways as a required safety measure, an allowable use of the fund by law. Some locals complained the effort strayed from the Loomis oak focus, and roadway pruning monies should come from other sources. Costco then contributed $115,000 as mitigation for oak tree removal at the new mega-store on Sierra College Blvd., leaving $300,000 or so to fund the two oak programs as of March, officials said.