The following specifications and standards are hereby established for the planting, pruning, root pruning and removal of trees, and shrubs in streets, parks and public areas in the Village:
(a) Planting.
(1) The Public Tree and Landscape Commission will determine the number and species of trees and shrubs to be planted annually.
(2) All trees will be not less than one and three-fourths inches in caliper (ANSI Z 60.0-1990 American Standard for Nursery Stock.)
(3) All trees shall have straight trunks and be well branched. There shall be no disease or injury apparent. The roots and top shall be well developed and characteristic of the species.
(4) No tree shall be planted closer than two feet from the curb line or outer line of the sidewalk. All trees shall be planted with a spacing of between thirty and 100 feet from each other depending on the species of the tree.
(5) Adequate water shall be supplied for the first two years after transplanting.
(6) Where soil is of poor quality or does not have the proper drainage, good soil and drainage shall be provided in an amount sufficient to insure proper growth.
(7) No tree shall hereafter be planted at or within twenty feet of an intersection.
(b) Pruning.
(1) All trees and shrubs shall be pruned to preserve their health and appearance and to make adjustments which will increase their longevity in an urban environment.
(2) All trees and shrubs which have branches overhanging a public street, shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of fourteen feet.
(3) All trees and shrubs on private or public property, which have branches overhanging a public sidewalk shall have said branches trimmed to a clearance height of seven feet.
(4) The Service Director may waive the provisions of this section for newly planted trees if he determines they do not interfere with the public travel, obstruct the light of any streetlight, or endanger public safety.
(5) All deadwood, stubs, broken branches, badly formed branches, disease- infested and insect-infested branches shall be removed.
(6) Contract tree care shall be issued to certified arborists or private citizens and contractors who are qualified to perform the work using standard arboricultural practices according to ANSI A300-1995.
(c) Root Pruning. Whenever any and all types of construction activity being performed within or in close proximity to public right-of-way and easements, comes within ten feet of a tree, a written permit must be issued from the Village Service Director prior to excavation. The Service Director may issue the following guideline:
(1) For trees measuring twelve inches in diameter (equivalent thirty-eight inch circumference) or less, soil excavation work or root cutting shall not occur closer than three feet from the outer bark of the tree. The circumference of the tree here and elsewhere in these requirements shall be taken two feet above the ground level. For multi-stemmed trees, the circumference shall be taken at the narrowest point within the first two feet above the ground surface.
(2) For trees measuring greater than thirty-eight inches in circumference, soil excavation work or root cutting shall not occur closer than the distance measured by the circumference of the tree, or a maximum distance of six feet, whichever is less.
(3) Soil excavation work is permitted closer than the distance parameters established under the above two categories, provided all excavation of soil is accomplished by hand shovel or auger, and no roots greater than two inches in diameter are severed.
(4) In the event removal becomes necessary, trees removed by the Village or by Village contract will be removed and replaced by the Village Service Department, at cost to the village or department authorizing the construction. Trees required to be removed by private contractors, investor owned public utility companies, or by others who are permitted to perform maintenance and repair work in public right-of-way and easement areas shall remove said trees at their cost and effort and furthermore, shall replace that tree with a suitable size and variety per the requirements of the Public Tree and Landscape Commission.
(5) In the event removal of the tree is required by private and public utilities, contractors and others under life threatening or related emergency situations, removal of the tree(s) is authorized without written Village authorization, providing proper follow-up written documentation is provided and replacement of the tree(s) is scheduled to the satisfaction of the Public Tree and Landscape Commission.
(d) Tree Removal.
(1) Decision to remove trees or shrubs will be made by the Village Service Director as may be advised by the Public Tree and Landscape Commission. Candidates for removal are those trees or shrubs which are dead, diseased or life endangering. Other trees may be removed upon the proper conduct of a public meeting with the Commission.
(2) Storm damaged trees shall be restored and made safe according to the following priorities:
A. Remove immediate life hazards;
B. Remove trees and branches from electric lines to enable linemen to restore electric service;
C. Clear all trees and limbs obstructing roadways;
D. Remove large trees which present a hazard to private property or other trees;
E. Brush and debris will be left at the roadside until it can be cleaned up during regular working hours.
(3) The Village Service Department may without a hearing, cut or remove public shade trees less than one and one-half inches in diameter which obstruct or endanger travelers or buildings.
(4) All public trees or shrubs which are marked for cutting shall be completely removed from the growing site and disposed of in an authorized manner. The stump shall be ground down to a depth suitable for future planting of trees or flora.
(Ord. 59-2009. Passed 11-3-09.)