Removal of Eight Ficus Trees on Milpas Street

As part of the Milpas Street Crosswalk Safety and Sidewalk Widening Project (Project), the City will remove eight Laurel Fig (Ficus) trees in June and July 2025. These trees have been identified as safety and accessibility concerns. Before any work begins, a qualified biologist will check for active bird nests to ensure wildlife is protected.  At the same time, about 25 new canopy street trees will be planted along the Project corridor.

In March 2025, City Council approved the removal of 13 (of the existing 95) street trees along the Project corridor.  The remaining five trees will be removed (four New Zealand Christmas Trees and one Brisbane box) during Project construction. An additional 13 canopy street trees will be planted once the new landscape planters are constructed, for a total of 38 new street trees (25 + 13) planted within the Project corridor.

View the Tree Exhibits for Milpas Street for information on the location and species of each tree removal, and the locations of new street tree planting opportunities. For additional information, please visit the Project website at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/MilpasSafeCrossings.          

The City will conduct storm water infiltration testing in mid-June, which will involve drilling test holes and installing plates over top during the test.