(A) Construction zone.
(1) It is the responsibility of the permit holder, as a condition of the permit, to protect all public trees located on the adjacent public right-of-way that may reasonably be expected to be affected or damaged by construction activities. Existing trees subject to construction damage shall be boxed, fenced, or otherwise protected before any work is started. The trees to be protected, the method of protection, and the dimensions involved shall be determined by the Village Forester conjunctly with the permit holder or his/her agent. Once assembled, no boxing, fencing or other protection device shall be removed without prior approval of the Village Forester, and there will be no construction activity or material within the enclosure.
(2) Dimensions. Small trees as determined by the Village Forester shall be boxed or fenced in such a manner as to encompass the entire drip line area of the tree (Figure 1). In no case shall the enclosure be less than two feet from the centerline of the tree. Medium to large trees shall be boxed or fenced in a manner determined by the Village Forester based on sound arboricultural practices. In no case shall the protective device be closer than ten feet from the centerline of the tree except in those portions bordered by the public sidewalk or curb, in which case the protective device shall be offset one foot wherever possible.
(B) Utility installations (underground).
(1) All installations or underground utilities upon the public rights-of-way are subject to approval by the village. Any and all installations that impact on public trees due to underground conflicts (roots) are specifically subject to the review and approval of the Village Forester before the project starts.
(2) Trenching small trees. Open trenching in the root zone area of a public tree is prohibited except in cases where the trenching falls outside the dripline of the tree involved. In some instances, exceptions may be allowed if in the opinion of the Village Forester the impact of trenching upon the tree will be negligible.
Specifications for Trenching and Tunneling for the Installation of Public Utilities
Tree Diameter (a) | Distance of Tunnel from Face of Tree Trunk – Each Side (b) | Recommended Depth of Tunnel or Trench (c) |
5 - 9" | 6' | 2-1/2' |
10 - 14" | 10' | 3' |
15 - 19" | 12' | 3-1/2' |
20" or more | 15' | 4' |
(3) Trenching and tunneling – medium to large trees. When the dripline of trees becomes extensive or overlapping, the only reasonable means of utility installation on the public right-of-way is a combination of trenching and tunneling. This applies particularly to trees in excess of five inches in diameter. All trees in excess of five inches in diameter where there is insufficient space to bypass the dripline by trenching must be tunneled. In no case shall the tunnel be less than two feet in depth. The tunneling procedure is determined by the diameter of the trees four and one-half feet from the ground line. Unless specified otherwise by the Village Forester, all dimensions apply as provided in the above table.
(4) Since cutting of larger roots is unavoidable in a trenching operation, all roots over two inches in diameter must be cut cleanly and painted with an appropriate tree-wound dressing. All trenches should not stay open longer than necessary and must be properly barricaded.
(Ord. 07-57, passed 12-17-2007)