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Calle 24 Tree Removal and Replacement Project
24th Street from Potrero Avenue to Mission Street is lined with mature ficus trees, some of which will be removed and replaced to protect the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists along the busy corridor.
33 ficus trees have been identified, reviewed and approved for removal due to one or more imminent safety issues identified with this tree species. The trees also have caused damage to surrounding sidewalks that now pose tripping hazardous for pedestrians and make it difficult for people with disabilities to navigate the corridor safely.
Through the years, the ficus trees of lower 24th Street have grown to full size and the narrow sidewalks have not been able to accommodate their massive canopies due to building, sidewalk and roadway clearance needs. The narrow sidewalks also left the large tree roots no choice but to grow out and over basins and under building foundations, damaging sidewalks and causing issues for businesses along the corridor.
With many issues to tackle, this project is taking a block-by-block approach. The tree crew will start and end work along one block at a time, for example, Potrero Avenue to Hampshire Street, before moving to the next block. All tree work including pruning, removal and stump grinding will be completed, then as the tree crew moves to the next block, a concrete crew will move in on the current block to repair sidewalk damage, followed by a landscape crew to replant trees, in that order.
Mature ficus trees throughout the City have been experiencing whole tree failure, large collapsing limbs and posing sidewalk tripping hazards. Removal of the most hazardous ficus along 24th Street will mitigate these risks and provide a safer environment for all who travel the busy commercial and residential corridor.
Ficus tree failure at 24th Street and Folsom Street
Ficus tree failure on 24th Street,
between Florida and Bryant streets
Saying Goodbye
In late 2020, the Mission community bid farewell to the ficus trees to be removed as a part of this project. Dia de los Muertos celebrations in November included a daytime procession where a ceremony group stopped at several ficuses to celebrate the life of the trees with music, spiritual dance and spoken word.
An alter comprised of sugar skulls, flowers, candles, notes and pictures, was created by community members at the corner of 24th Street and South Van Ness Avenue. The alter gave people an opportunity to take part and celebrate the unity between life and death for the ficus trees. Community members also participated by tying marigold flowers to the ficus trees along the lower stretch of 24th Street.
Project Features
50 total street trees will be planted along lower 24th Street; all 33 trees that will be removed will be replaced and an additional 17 trees will be planted
In collaboration with San Francisco Public Works Urban Forestry, the 24th Street community chose Red Maples and Gingkoes as replacement tree species
An additional 95 trees will be planted throughout this stretch of the Mission, on side streets, through our nonprofit partner, Friends of the Urban Forest and watered for three years by Mission Verde. Follow @missionverde on social media or sign up today to volunteer to be a Mission Watering Warrior!
The block-by-block approach will minimize interruptions to street and pedestrian traffic as much as possible by keeping tree, cement and replanting work moving efficiently without significant delays
Community-designed cross braces will hold together stakes around replacement and new trees along Calle 24
Anticipated Work Locations and Schedule*:
Location: This project will begin at the Potrero Avenue end of 24th Street and move west toward Mission Street.
Schedule: Crews will post No Parking/Tow-Away signs 72 hours in advance of the start of work. Keep a lookout for these signs to learn when work will be starting on a block. Work will take place 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday. (Weekend work is allowed but not expected at this time.)
Traffic Impact: Traffic temporarily may be delayed at times as a result of intersection and lane closures necessary to perform the work. Vehicles parked on the street during work hours will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense. Bus lines temporarily will be rerouted; check signs at bus stops for the latest information. Please allow extra travel time during project work.
*Please note, schedules are subject to change due to rain, equipment breakdown, and/or unforeseen field conditions. Please see posted "No Parking" barricade signs for exact parking restrictions. Parking restrictions may vary per block.
