TREES & BIRD NESTING

With over 2,100 trees across more than 30 species, Marina del Rey’s tree canopy is a vital part of our coastal landscape. Our urban forest enhances public spaces, supports wildlife, and helps make the area a vibrant and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike, now and in the future.

Why do trees matter in Marina del Rey?

• Shade & Cooling: Trees reduce urban heat and keep recreation areas comfortable.
• Cleaner Air & Water: Trees filter pollutants, capture carbon, and improve stormwater quality.
• Habitat for Wildlife: Trees support nesting colonial waterbirds, raptors, and other species.

Our goal is to ensure the tree canopy remains healthy, resilient, and sustainable—for the benefit of all Los Angeles County communities.

Learn When Tree Work is Allowed | Explore Tree Risk Assessments | View Permit Requirements

Marina del Rey’s trees are protected under the Marina del Rey Local Coastal Program, which prioritizes public safety, coastal habitat, and equitable shoreline access for all Los Angeles County residents.

Policy 23, which ensures trees are monitored, protected and maintained in public spaces, applies to all trees managed by the County. Policy 34 regulates trees on private leaseholds.

Both policies require trees to be protected, maintained, and pruned to preserve nesting habitats and prevent public safety hazards.

To protect active bird nesting habitats established by colonial waterbirds and raptor species, routine pruning and removal may only be conducted during the non-nesting season (October 1 – December 31). This paplies to both nesting and non-nesting trees.

Only trees that pose an immediate health and safety risk may be pruned or removed during nesting season (January 1 – September 30).

Any tree removal or pruning during nesting season requires a risk assessment from a Certified Arborist, as well as an assessment and clearance from a qualified biologist to ensure no active nests are affected.

Regardless of time of year, when tree pruning and removal is proposed on a nesting tree, the lessee shall notify DBH prior to the start of tree work.

DBH works with Certified Arborists who follow best practices based on International Society of Arboriculture (IS) standards to conduct annual tree risk assessments. The Certified Arborists visually inspect the trees for cracks, decay, leaning and root damage, as well as used advanced diagnostics like sonic tomography and resistance drilling to detect internal decay. They also consider environmental factors like soil conditions, wind exposure and trees’ proximity to infrastructure.

The annual risk assessments in Marina del Rey are designed to:

• Identify hazardous trees at risk of failure due to age, disease, or structural decline.
• Prevent unexpected collapses that could endanger the public.
• Guide responsible tree management, balancing safety with preservation.

Certain tree species are more prone to structural failure, disease, or environmental stress, so they require additional management. Trees of these species are more likely to create a public safety risk that requires removal.

1. South African Coral Tree (Erythrina caffra)
2. Eucalyptus (various – Blue Gum, Red IronBark, Lemon Scented Gum)
3. Melaleuca Quinquinerva

September 2025

• Level 2 Risk Evaluation of 47 trees in Marina del Rey
• Download PDF of Assessment

September 12-13 and 23, 2024

• Level 2 Risk Evaluation of 46 trees in Marina del Rey
• Download PDF of Assessment
• 5 trees classified as High Risk – Urgent removal required.
• 13 trees recommended for removal due to structural failure or advanced decline.

Pursuant to the Tree Management Policy (No. 34) contained in the “Important Biological Resources” chapter of the Marina del Rey Land Use Plan (LUP), the Department requires all lessees to submit an application and obtain approval prior to the start of any tree pruning and/or removal work.

The purpose of the requirement is to protect the habitat of colonial water birds and raptors that utilize the trees in Marina del Rey for foraging, nesting and roosting.  Trees are defined under the Policy’s Section 4.13 as “a palm or a plant having a permanently woody main stem or trunk, ordinarily growing to a height over eight (8) feet and usually developing branches at some distance from the ground.”

The following tree work application forms are to be used for any tree pruning and/or removal work.  The same forms can be used for requesting tree work during the non-nesting season (October 1  – December 31) and the nesting season (January 1  – September 30).

Click on a title below for links to the report.