By Kimberley Sander Walnut – You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to agree that trees are beautiful and have a very positive impact on the environment. Trees not only clean the air and provide oxygen, but they help to cool city streets, conserve energy and save water. Trees can also help nurture us by providing food and a habitat for wildlife. The City of Walnut obviously agrees with these sentiments and is doing everything it can to protect the trees in its public areas from vandalism by introducing Public Tree Ordinance No. 13-03 and a corresponding City Tree Policy Manual, which would be the official guidelines for the maintenance, preservation and protection of Walnut’s city-owned trees. The City Council Meeting, held on June 26, included the recommendation to adopt the ordinance on its agenda. According to the City Council Report of June 26, 2013 regarding Ordinance 13-03, Walnut Deputy Director of Community Services, Hector Kistemann, recommended that the City Council adopt the Public Tree Ordinance and approve the City Tree Policy Manual. At a City Council Study Session held on April 24, staff had reported that public trees had been vandalized by severe pruning, trimming or removal by residents or contractors not employed by the city. Trees have also been planted on public right of ways without city authorization. Already in place is Ordinance 03-05 intended to preserve Walnut’s heritage trees, the Oaks and Black Walnuts native to the area. The new ordinance would join No. 03-05 in helping to protect all trees, regardless of their species. The City Council Report also noted that Ordinance 13-03 would assist Walnut in applying to be recognized as “Tree City USA”, which would allow for future grant funding opportunities. Help the City of Walnut protect and maintain the beauty of its trees by obtaining a Tree Report and a Tree Permit prior to conducting any maintenance.