Landscape Maintenance and Renovations
Kentfield Commons is a beautiful neighborhood with a private park and pool tucked under a canopy of hundreds of heritage trees - California live oaks, coastal redwoods, maples, and magnolias. We use sustainable landscaping practices to keep our neighborhood vibrant and healthy.
Please take some time to learn what is and isn't covered under Landscape Maintenance (below). For Renovation information see Landscape Change Requests. Homeowners are encouraged to refresh their homes with new landscaping to keep the neighborhood looking at its best.
- The HOA provides landscape maintenance, repair, and replacements for all of the Common Areas. (CC&Rs Article XI, Section 9d)
- The HOA provides landscape maintenance on individual front yards. The HOA does not provide landscape renovations and replacements on individual front yards. (CC&Rs Article XI, Section 9n)
Please take some time to learn what is and isn't covered under Landscape Maintenance (below). For Renovation information see Landscape Change Requests. Homeowners are encouraged to refresh their homes with new landscaping to keep the neighborhood looking at its best.
Landscape Maintenance
We hire professional landscapers, trained horticulturist, and certified arborist to perform professionally recommended landscape maintenance. Our maintenance contract includes irrigation, maintenance and repairs, mowing, blowing, trimming, fertilizing, and selective pest control.
This contract which costs $12/week/homeowner, covers a set amount of "man hours" and materials that must be spread fairly amongst all of our common areas and front yards. Projects that benefit all of the homeowners are prioritized over individual requests.
Customized landscaping on just a few individual lots is not possible. However homeowners can opt in and out of certain services on their property. Please take some time to learn about what is, and isn't, covered under Landscape Maintenance, as well as your options for Irrigation, Trimming, Pesticide Use, and Lawn Reconditioning.
Homeowners should contact the association manager (not the landscaping crew) if they have any questions or concerns.
This contract which costs $12/week/homeowner, covers a set amount of "man hours" and materials that must be spread fairly amongst all of our common areas and front yards. Projects that benefit all of the homeowners are prioritized over individual requests.
Customized landscaping on just a few individual lots is not possible. However homeowners can opt in and out of certain services on their property. Please take some time to learn about what is, and isn't, covered under Landscape Maintenance, as well as your options for Irrigation, Trimming, Pesticide Use, and Lawn Reconditioning.
Homeowners should contact the association manager (not the landscaping crew) if they have any questions or concerns.
Irrigation
The landscapers are constantly monitoring, adjusting, and repairing the irrigation systems to keep our trees and landscaping healthy while being mindful of our water use. Kentfield Commons follows all state and local watering guidelines. Irrigation timers are set to the professionally recommended schedule for the given season, temperature and weather patterns. For detailed information about our irrigation schedule see Irrigation.
- Irrigation Repairs: Our irrigation system consist of thousands of components that require constant attention and repairs. Timers, controllers, valves, pipes and sprinkler heads are often damaged by roots, mowers, foot traffic, and natural weathering. If you see any water usage information that might indicate a leak, or see any coverage issues such as soggy areas, dry patches, or broken sprinkler heads, please let the Community Manager know as soon as possible. Please include the exact address and location to help the landscapers identify the issue. Photos are often helpful.
- Water Conservation: Tips to conserve water both inside and outside the home can be found at Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency. Homeowners who’d like to reduce their water use with native plants, can see approved California Native Sod options on our Lawns page. Resources for other drought tolerant plants can be found on our Planting Beds page.
Tree Care
Tree Care: Our tree-lined streets are a defining characteristic of Kentfield Commons. We hire certified arborist to keep our urban forest healthy. See Trees for detailed information.
- Irrigation: Many of our trees - including Coastal Redwoods trees which are only native to wet coastal regions - require regular watering to stay healthy and survive in this area. These trees become susceptible to disease and can sustain permanent damage without regular irrigation. Please contact the association manager if you notice any trees that need special attention.
- Tree Pruning: The HOA hires certified arborists to evaluate all of the trees each year. They perform professionally recommended pruning to produce healthy, structurally sound, and aesthetically pleasing trees. Please do not trim or prune front yard trees without HOA permission. Poor pruning can cause permanent damage. Please note: The HOA's arborist evaluates trees for the above-ground pruning that is included in the HOA's regular landscape maintenance only. If you have any other concerns about your trees, please consult with a Certified Arborist of your choice. Homeowners are responsible for tree removals and replacements, root barriers, and other projects related to the care of their properties.
- For Emergency Storm Damage: Contact the Association Manager. The HOA clears downed limbs and trims broken branches as soon as the arborist can be scheduled to come onsite. This usually takes from 1 - 7 days depending on the amount of storm damage in the area.
- Homeowners who have special request for tree trimming can complete a Tree Trimming Request. The arborist evaluates all non-emergency tree trimming requests twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall. Please Note: The HOA only performs professionally recommended pruning.
- Tree Removals and Replacements: Homeowners are responsible for tree removals and replacements. The Redwood City Tree Ordinance which protects trees on private property states that "Removal is the last resort option, when no other reasonable alternative can correct a problem." Homeowners who wish to remove an existing tree must obtain Tree Permits from the Redwood City, and HOA approval. Every tree that is removed, must be replaced with a healthy tree. See Trees.
- Tree Planting: Homeowners can plant additional trees to enhance their home's beauty, curb appeal, and long term home value. See Trees for our list of street trees and smaller ornamental trees.
Planting Bed Maintence
The landscapers fertilize, mulch, and prune plants. Homeowners are encouraged to refresh their landscaping with new plants to keep the neighborhood looking at its best.
- Mulch: The HOA mulches tree wells and planting beds with Fir Bark Mulch. This suppresses weeds, saves water, and gives the neighborhood a nice consistent look. Mulch is replenished on each property every other year. If you add additional mulch to your front yard please use natural Fir Bark Mulch only.
- Trimming: Landscapers prune shrubs and ground covers. They remove dead, diseased branches and weakened growth to maintain plant health and vigor. Please note that this includes hard pruning some plants such as the Nandita, Agapanthus, Irises, and Ivy. These plants are cut back to the ground to promote fresh new growth, a fuller form, and in some cases, more abundant flowers. Please note that this may create bare or empty spots in the landscaping for short periods of time while the plants regenerate. See Standard Trimming.
- Option to Opt Out: If you would like to opt out of this trimming, contact the Association Manager to add your home the No Trim List. A small, removable colored dot may be placed on the side of your mail post indicating your choice - this helps the landscapers honor your wishes.
- Plant Removals: Plants naturally and decline and die over time. As a part of their basic maintenance, the landscapers must remove dead plants, diseased plants, and plants that have declined to the a point where they detract from our neighborhood's overall appearance. Homeowners are encouraged to replace declining plants on their property before they reach this point. See Landscape Change Requests.
- Landscape Renovations: Homeowners are encouraged to refresh their front yards with new landscaping plants to keep the neighborhood looking at its best. See Planting Beds and Landscape Change Requests for more information.
Lawn Care
The landscapers provide mowing, blowing, fertilizing, and selective pest control. Lawns are reconditioned each spring.
- Pesticides and Herbicides: Signs are posted on the guardhouse or the front gate when pesticides are applied. See Pesticides and Herbicides List.
- Please note that the Board members and Landscape Committee Volunteers have not made any assessments or determinations regarding the toxicity, hazards, and risks these pesticides and herbicides may pose to humans, children, and pets. The HOA simply passes the options and information provided by the landscape contractors along to homeowners. Please make your own determinations as to whether you would like these pesticides and herbicides to be applied on your property.
- Option to Opt Out: Homeowners who do not want pesticides and herbicides on their property can opt out. Contact the Association Manager to add your property to the No Spray List. A small, removable colored dot may be placed on the side of your mail post indicating your choice - this helps the landscapers honor your wishes.
- Lawn Reconditioning: The HOA reconditions lawns by aerating, overseeding, and top dressing lawns with compost. Overseeding is done March-May. Please note that this process requires additional day time watering. You will see an increase in both your water usage and your water bill during the seed germination and establishment phase. Click here to learn more about the Lawn Reconditioning Process.
- Option to Opt Out: Homeowners who do not want lawn reconditioning can opt out. Contact the Association Manager to add your home to the No Overseeding List. A small, removable colored dot may be placed on the side of your mail post indicating your choice - this helps the landscapers honor your wishes.
- Lawn Renovations: Overseeding is a good way to give lawns a boost, but it does not provide the instantly perfect lawns that new sod provides. Homeowners who’d like enhance their yard with new sod can see the approved sod options under Lawns.