Tree of Heaven Removal at South County Maintenance Yard
Summary
SCH Number
2026090314
Public Agency
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Document Title
Tree of Heaven Removal at South County Maintenance Yard
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/8/2026
Document Description
The invasive tree of heaven is a growing management issue at the South County Yard. Left unmanaged, tree of heaven will damage the hardscape and buildings, so treatment is necessary before tree of heaven spreads throughout the facility, damages infrastructure, and spreads beyond Valley Water-owned lands. Several large trees grow along the southern fenceline, one large tree is in the middle of the parking area, and several suckers and saplings are scattered throughout the facility, growing in cracks in concrete and near buildings.
Two herbicide-based approaches are proposed to remove these trees. Trees under about 6” DBH (diameter at breast height) would be treated with basal bark triclopyr. This is a treatment in which herbicide is painted or sprayed onto the lower 12-15” of the bark including the root crown using an oil-based herbicide. Trees greater than 6” DBH would be treated with hack-and-squirt treatment with concentrated imazapyr. This treatment involves using a small hatchet to make shallow cuts into the cambium around the trunk while leaving intact strips of bark so that conductive tissues can continue to push herbicide down into the root system. Removal efforts would start in August or September. A crew of 3-4 applicators would finish the initial treatment in half a day.
Tree of heaven requires multiple years of sustained management efforts. About 30 days after the initial treatment, an inspection would determine whether follow-up treatment is needed that season. Two treatments per season for the first three years is typical, though stubborn trees may require additional treatments. Dead biomass (peeling bark, fungi, no nearby suckers) may be removed after a year of showing no signs of life.
Contact Information
Name
Michael Martin
Agency Name
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Job Title
Senior Water Resources Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Morgan Hill
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
13805 Llagas Avenue
Zip
95046
Total Acres
2
Parcel #
825-04-010
State Highways
101
Airports
San Martin
Waterways
Llagas Creek
Township
10S
Range
3E
Section
22
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 - Section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed vegetation management activities would kill and remove tree of heaven from the facility. This is consistent with the Class 4 exemption that permits minor public alterations in the condition of land, water, and vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. Although the project would remove trees, the trees are invasive and are not considered scenic.
None of the conditions noted under the CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 will occur.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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