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In 1990 the City of Springdale recognized the need to encourage developers to consider trees as an asset to their site and the community as a whole. It was always discouraging to pass a once wooded piece of property and see it totally barren of trees. It was in this year that the Springdale City Council adopted a tree preservation ordinance. Trees benefit the community by reducing noise, heat and glare, improving surface drainage, promoting clean air and adding visual buffers. Trees benefit property owners by increasing property values, reducing heating and cooling costs and visually enhancing the property.

TREES AND DEVELOPMENT

During the planning stages of development, the developer, planner and engineer should consider utilizing existing trees in their development plan. Several factors should be considered when building with existing trees. The majority of roots of most trees are within 18" of the surface. Extensive cut or fill in the drip line of existing trees will effect their survivability. Whenever a development plan is submitted for approval it 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.; Dead or diseased trees as verified by the Building Department.

NON-DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

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. Stringient remediation is 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.

TREE PROTECTION

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.

For more information or a copy of the tree preservation ordinance click here or contact the Springdale Building Department at 513-346-5730.