An urban forestry management plan is a critical document for the care and preservation of one of the community’s most valuable assets. This plan will define the needs and provide recommendations for the care and planting of trees throughout the community, including outreach to private property owners to help them care for their trees. This plan will also outline the budgetary and staffing needs for management and planting of trees on public property. It is recommended that the Sustainable Urban Forest Guide, produced by the U.S. Forest Service, serve as a guide for development of the Village urban forestry management plan. (See U.S. Forest Service Sustainable Urban Forest Guide) (ttps://urbanforestrysouth.org/resources/library/ttresources/the-sustainable-urban-f orest-guide-a-step-by- step-approach)
A. The Village shall develop an urban forest management plan that supports this Section. This urban forest management plan shall cover, at a minimum, a five year (preferably ten year) period, including budget projections. This plan shall be reviewed annually by the Village staff and members of the Tree Board and shall be updated as needed to support the needs of the Village.
B. Until an urban forestry management plan is in place, the Village shall provide a standard of care, in compliance with International Society of Arboriculture practices, where possible, for all publically owned trees to enable these trees to live to maturity and provide maximum benefits. This would include but not be limited to:
1. At a minimum, have an established watering program for newly planted trees. (Newly planted trees are any trees planted within five years of inadequate rainfall.)
2. Have an established pruning program that places all publically owned trees on a 5 year pruning cycle. Pruning is to be accomplished under the direction of a certified arborist and in compliance with American National Standards Institute. Care should be taken to follow best management practices including but not limited to good sanitation practices to reduce the spread of infectious conditions and restriction of pruning based on species needs, e.g. oaks should only be pruned when dormant.
3. It is recommended that during the pruning cycle, trees to be pruned be identified by species, size and location and be rated for health and hazard potential. A record of this report should be used as a guide for Village staff to address problems and provide care as needed. (Ord. 2023-1365, 5-10-2023)