UKIAH, CA., 12/12/25 – The city of Ukiah held a public workshop Thursday evening to discuss a potential improvement project for downtown that has been opposed by several residents because it could lead to the removal of some Chinese pistache trees, which turn vibrant shades of red and orange.
In December 2024, the city of Ukiah received a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant in the amount of $228,400 to fund the School Street Multimodal Transportation Corridor Study. The study will analyze pathways along the School Street corridor from Clay Street to Henry Street.
According to the city’s website, this “planning effort will result in a final study that will be used to pursue funding to implement identified improvements along the School Street corridor.”
The possibility of removing Chinese pistache trees was recently contested by Ukiah residents through a Change.org petition started by local Dennis O’Brien. It requests that the city does not interfere with the beloved trees that many believe are the heart and soul of downtown Ukiah.
The workshop was held at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center on School Street. Inside one of the conference rooms, approximately 30 to 40 community members gathered to discuss how to maintain the charm of School Street while also improving its infrastructure.
Todd Tregenza, an outside consultant from GHD, an engineering and architecture firm hired by the city to help lead the workshop, talked about some of the aspects of School Street that could be improved to create a pleasant downtown experience.
Throughout the workshop, Tregenza and other presenters gave surveys asking attendees what they would like to see downtown, such as better parking, more bike racks, or increased shade and seating. They also handed out large sheets of poster paper and building blocks, asking attendees to outline their vision for the future of School Street.
One of the main topics discussed during the workshop was how the Chinese pistache trees have been invading the older infrastructure underneath the sidewalks, which has caused pipe damage and sewer blockages over the years. Presenters also spoke about the possibility of putting new infrastructure underneath the street pavement instead of beneath the sidewalk.
Paul Barth, a Ukiah resident, said he believes all the Chinese pistache trees should be pulled out and the infrastructure replaced to ensure a long and healthy future for School Street.
“I think all of the trees should be ripped up, and all of the utilities replaced,” Barth emphasized. “For the future, in five years, it will look great. People just have to wait.”
Nate Oakley, an arborist from GHD also hired by the city, said in an interview that Chinese pistache trees, which are required on School Street according to Ukiah city code, can damage infrastructure when there is not enough space for them to grow.
“When they are given proper space, correct planter, you don’t typically see damaged curbs. They are typically rated as low root hazard,” he explained.
Shannon Riley, deputy city manager for the city of Ukiah, said she was grateful to see so many community members engaged in the process and giving feedback on downtown Ukiah. She is hopeful that with feedback from the community, the city will be able to create a plan that is beneficial for this section of the city.
Riley also said that there will be no more meetings regarding the study. After soliciting feedback from the community several times in the last year, city staff will now bring a proposal to a Ukiah City Council meeting.
“City staff is always available. People can call or email us,” Riley explained. “We are nearing the end of this process. This is the final, formal community forum.”
The city of Ukiah will present its School Street research at an upcoming City Council meeting to further discuss a potential downtown improvement project. The date of that discussion has not been determined, but Riley estimates it will be in the spring.
“Paul Barth, a Ukiah resident, said he believes all the Chinese pistache trees should be pulled out and the infrastructure replaced to ensure a long and healthy future for School Street. ” – I agree.
Two-thousand nine-hundred and fifty-eight “verified signatures” are on a petition to save the Chinese pistashe trees on School St. At the City’s three planning workshops (last night’s, attended by no more than 30 ‘unverified’ members of the public) it is now decided to pull the trees out? Poppycock. Fortunately, City staff will not be the deciders. The final decision will be by the elected officials of the City Council. May these individuals consider the issue in a fair and balanced manner, weighing honestly the 2,958 signatories against the 30 who attended last night’s gathering.
Sixteen thousand six hundred and seven citizens live in the City of Ukiah and there are 13649 citizens that didn’t sign this petition.
Poppycock to think the meeting was a weigh in of the consensus on the Trees on School St. I hope the elected officials make the best decision for School St. Keep in mind Trees die and construction sites are notorious for killing them just due to the shock to their systems once the ground gets dug up to pull up and replacement utility lines.
Omg ! Just rip them out and reset and refresh the street!! Plant some pistashe trees at the city park.
Make school street parkable! I just went around the block like 5 times to find a spot.
The trees don’t get ripped or pulled out for Pete’s sake. They’ll get carefully lifted out to their new homes in Redwood Valley and replanted around the Broiler. The squirrels and birds in them get adopted by little old men who feed them nuts and berries and worms by hand. I heard there’s a deal between the DA and RVMAC to help Ukiah out of this culture war. Peace will prevail.