Tree Preservation

During the planning stages of development, the developer, planner and engineer are required to consider utilizing existing trees in their development plan. Site grading, band building and parking locations should be planned with consideration of their impact on existing trees. Development plans must include a tree survey showing:

• Deciduous hardwood trees > 6"
• Evergreen trees > 8"
• Ornamental trees > 2"
• Trees to be removed
• Trees to be planted
• Size and species of the above trees must be shown.

Replanting of trees is required for those trees where removal is necessary to facilitate development. For development of new sites, trees must be replaced at a rate of 1/2 of the total caliper inches removed. On redevelopment sites, trees must be replaced at a rate of one caliper inch of replacement for every inch removed.

Exemptions

Certain situations are exempt from tree replacement. They are:

• Trees removed during an emergency
• Trees located in the area of proposed buildings
• Trees on existing developed single family lots
• Trees < 12" on lots < 20,000 s.f. except those which were planted as part of a development landscape plan
• Dead or diseased trees as verified by the Building Department.

Whenever a property owner wishes to remove a tree from a lot which is not exempt and the removal is not part of the development plan, he must first obtain approval from the Building Department. Stringent remediation and penalties are required if trees are removed without having prior approval. Even in the case of dead, diseased or damaged trees which do not pose an immediate danger, an approval letter must be obtained. In general, there must be a legitimate reason for removing a tree.

Exemptions

Certain situations are exempt from tree replacement. They are:

1. Trees removed during an emergency
2. Trees located in the area of proposed buildings
3. Trees on existing developed single family lots
4. Trees < 12" on lots < 20,000 s.f, except those which were planted as part of a development landscape plan
5. Dead or diseased trees as verified by the Building Department.

Before construction activity may commence a performance bond must be posted for the trees to be replaced. Trees must be marked; blue for trees to be saved and red for trees to be removed. Trees which are to remain and which are within 25 feet of construction activity must be surrounded by protective fencing or other approved physical barrier at their drip lines. Large groups of trees to remain can be fenced as a group.