An existing tree survey is required in order to preserve specimen trees and forested areas throughout the village:
(A) (1) To encourage the preservation of existing trees, tree planting requirements for new developments will be reduced based on the number and size of existing trees that are so protected as to assure their survival. The following table outlines a credit system whereby protected trees are credited against the total number of trees required for a development:
Existing Tree Diameter | Credit Applied to New Tree Planting Requirement |
2 ½" or less | No credit |
2 ½" - 4" | 1.0 |
4 ½" - 7" | 2.0 |
7 ¼"- 15 ¾" | 3.0 |
16" or more | 5.0 |
(2) Tree diameters shall be measured 12 inches above natural grade, the total credit shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
(3) Existing multi-stemmed plant material will be reviewed by the village on a case-by-case basis.
(B) Should any required tree designated for preservation in the landscape plan die or be removed within 18 months of issuance of certificate of occupancy, the owner or developer shall replace it with three inch minimum caliper trees in proportion to the tree credit originally granted. (For example, assume a 15 inch diameter tree was proposed for preservation and credit was given to the property owner exempting the planting of three new trees. If this tree should later die, then three inch caliper trees shall be planted to replace the 15 inch tree.)
(C) Guide for protecting existing trees. To better ensure the survival of existing trees, the developer should implement the following guidelines:
(1) Protect trees with a minimum three foot high construction fence during the entire construction period. Fencing should be placed at or beyond the dripline of protected trees. Where this is not feasible, fencing should be a minimum of ten feet from the center of any given tree in all directions. Bright colored plastic fencing is preferred.
(2) Do not permit the soil around existing trees to be compacted by heavy equipment. Do not pile dirt or other materials beneath the crown of trees.
(3) Keep fires or other sources of heat well clear of existing trees.
(4) Repair damaged roots and branches immediately. Exposed roots should be covered with topsoil to a depth that matches soil coverage prior to disturbance. Whenever roots are destroyed, a proportional amount of branches must be pruned so the tree does not transpire more water than it takes in. Injured trees must be thoroughly watered during the ensuing growing year.
(5) Prune all existing trees surrounded by paving to prevent dehydration.
(6) The existing elevations around protected trees should be maintained to the fullest extent possible. Where grade changes of four inches or more are required within the dripline of a protected tree, low retaining walls or other appropriate tree protection techniques should be used to insure the long-term health of the tree.
(Ord. 05-02, passed 1-18-2005)