It shall be the responsibility of the board to study, investigate, counsel and develop and/or update annually a written plan for the care, preservation, trimming, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in public ways, streets and alleys. Included in the plan shall be appropriate educational programs for the public. Such plan will be presented annually to the City Council and upon their acceptance and approval shall constitute the official comprehensive City tree plan for the City of Forsyth, Montana.
The City Tree Board, or its agent, shall be responsible for an ongoing inventory of Forsyth's tree resources. This inventory shall consist of a minimum yearly hazard tree assessment. Further, the City Tree Board shall prepare, or have prepared, a 10-year master plan for Forsyth's tree resources. This plan shall include an inventory of said resources, goals, objectives, long term maintenance, planting, and removal goals.
The City Tree Board, or its agent, may be responsible for the supervising of the planting, pruning, and removal of all trees located within the street rights-of-way, easements, alleys and parks of the City. The owners of land abutting on any street may, when acting within the provisions of this chapter, prune, spray, plant or remove trees in that part of the street abutting the owner's land not used for public travel. A street tree permit shall be required only when the owner of the property intends to deviate from the rules and regulations contained in this chapter.
The board, when requested by the City Council, shall consider, investigate, make findings, report and recommend upon any special matter or questions coming within the scope of its work. (Ord. 2005-03, 11-14-2005)