With the impending removal of four decades-old Ficus trees in downtown Encinitas, city officials seek residents’ feedback at a meeting Sept. 6 for future policies governing tree planting and maintenance.

“Trees are an important part of the fabric of Encinitas and the City values its trees immensely. However, from time to time and for a variety of reasons, City street trees must be removed. It is never a decision we take lightly,” City Manager Karen Brust said in an announcement.

The city has set the meeting for 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Ficus trees’ removal and development of future policies to address tree planting, maintenance and removal, according to the city’s announcement.

The meeting will be held in the Poinsettia Room at Encinitas City Hall, 505 Vulcan Ave. in downtown Encinitas.

The city plans to remove two large Ficus trees on Second Street and two large Ficus trees on Third Street downtown in light of safety and property damage concerns, the city stated.

The Sept. 6 meeting will focus on building a plan for Second Street from K to B Streets and a similar plan for Third Street from K to B Streets, according to the city’s announcement. Feedback from the meeting will be used to develop recommendations for tree species, size and planting schedules.

More information on trees in Encinitas can be found through the city’s Tree Tracker app www.encinitasca.gov/treetracker, which displays  city-maintained tree locations, types of trees and upcoming maintenance.