§ 90-48. Protection of public trees.

(a)

Protection barrier. A protection barrier (tree protection zone) shall be installed around the tree or trees to be preserved whenever work is being done on or near public property that may result in damage to a public tree or trees. The barrier shall be constructed of durable fencing material, such as plastic construction fencing, snow fence, or chain link fencing. The barrier shall be placed as far from the base of the tree(s) as possible, preferably at the drip line (see recommended chart below). The fencing shall be maintained in good repair throughout the duration of the project, and shall not be removed, relocated, or encroached upon without permission of the village forester.

Guidelines for Tree Protection Zones

Species Tolerance To Impacts	Tree Age	Distance From Trunk * (feet per inch of trunk diameter)
Tolerant	young < ¼ life expectancy	0.5'
	middle-aged ¼—¾ life expectancy	0.75'
	mature > ¾ life expectancy	1.0'
Intermediate	young	0.75'
	middle-aged	1.0'
	mature	1.25'
Sensitive	young	1.0'
	middle-aged	1.25'
	mature	1.5'

 

^* These distances are based on a tree's tolerance to root pruning and soil disturbance and may not be adequate to protect branches of young trees or other trees with low branches. Because severe pruning would destroy the form of such trees, fencing at the drip line should be considered.

(b)

Storage of materials. No person shall store materials or supplies of any kind within the tree protection zone. Concrete and cement materials, block, stone, sand, and soil shall not be placed within the drip line of the tree.

(c)

Fuel/hazardous substance discharge. No person shall discharge any petroleum product or hazardous substance within 150 feet of any tree protected by this division in a manner that may reasonably be expected to be harmful to a tree.

(d)

Debris and waste materials. Debris and waste from construction or other activities shall not be permitted within the tree protection zone. Wash down of concrete or cement handling equipment, in particular, shall not be permitted within 150 feet of protected trees.

(e)

Grade changes. Any grade changes proposed within the tree protection zone shall be approved by the village forester prior to any work taking place. Precautions shall be taken to mitigate potential injuries.

(f)

Damages to roots and branches. Any damages or injuries to a public tree shall be reported to the village forester as soon as possible. Severed roots shall be pruned cleanly to healthy tissue, using proper pruning tools. Broken branches or limbs shall be pruned according to ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001 Pruning Standards.

(g)

Boring and trenching. To preserve viable root systems and maintain structural stability, boring or tunneling beneath root systems of public trees is required. Open-cut excavating is allowed only up to the distance from various sized trees listed below. The boring or tunneling from trench to trench shall be below the minimum depth indicated for tree size. The surface area and subsoil directly adjacent to public trees shall not be disturbed as follows:

Tree Size (diameter in inches)	Min. Undisturbed Radius (measured from face of trunk)	Min. Depth of Tunnel/Bore
Less than 3"	3 feet	3 feet
3" through 8"	6 feet	3 feet
8+" through 14"	8 feet	4 feet
Larger than 14"	10 feet	4 feet

 

(Ord. No. 696-04, § 1, 10-25-2004)