ATASCADERO NATIVE TREE ASSOCIATION

Atascadero Native Tree Inventory

The native tree inventory was completed in 2007. The inventory was a long-term joint effort between the Atascadero Community Development Department and the Atascadero Native Tree Association (ANTA). Tree mitigation funds financed the cost.

The first step was to understand how city tree inventories are done. We didn’t fit into the usual tree inventory process for a city because we are a city within a forest. Also with the advent of the Geographical Information System (GIS) and digitized photography a lot of new technology was available. The county’s GIS department helped us understand the technology. During our long information gathering process technology improved and cost went down about 60%.

The flyover was completed in the fall of 2002. Late fall is the best time for highlighting differences between valley and blue oaks.

The next major step was the biological inventory. In late 2004, after more than 2 years discussion, the City contracted with Tom Gamon of East-West Associates to do the inventory. We were very fortunate with our choice because Tom has extensive on the ground experience, having done work for the forest service through out the state. Also he is knowledgeable about sophisticated software program. The inventory was completed in January 2007.

Briefly these are the findings:

1. Coast live oak (6544 acres) and annual grass types (4475 acres) are the two most common type of vegetation in the 24344 acres project area. Urban types (5207 acres) are the 3rd most common vegetation type.
2. Coast live oak and bay laurel are regenerating.
3. There is almost no regeneration of valley and blue oak.
4. Atascadero’s woodland cover originated mostly at the same time and is dominated by large old trees.

This base line data will provide comparison and basis for future planning. What has happened to Atascadero’s oak woodland has occurred through out California.

View the complete report here: Native Tree Inventory – January 2007.