Title
Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program
History
Currently, the Village Code indicates that it is the responsibility of residents to prune their parkway trees 8 feet above street or sidewalk. Due to lack of knowledge of cutting trees (the Village provides some guidance on website), lack of attention by homeowners (resulting in many Code Enforcement complaints), and the lack of belief on the part of residents that they should be responsible for trees on parkway since the Village planted them and own them, staff previously proposed a cyclical tree pruning program. This last fact can be especially frustrating to residents because the parkway zone includes sidewalks, parkways easements for utilities, trees, driveway aprons, sprinklers, grass, mailboxes and curbs and is a mixed bag of responsibilities of maintenance, ownership, and digging rights.
The previously proposed program, which was initially budgeted at $400,000, was to include a comprehensive urban forestry plan that would include contractors being hired to maintain the Village’s parkway trees through a rotation of zones. This staff-initiated program was rejected, instead, staff was directed to provide guidelines to residents, and those residents not meeting the guidelines were to be warned and ultimately ticketed. With a limited Code Enforcement staff, it is difficult to monitor residential tree pruning infractions and divert resources.
Proposed Program
The proposed 2025 Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program would involve a regular schedule of tree maintenance to enhance health, safety, and aesthetics. This will include removing dead, diseased, or high-risk branches, as well as branches that interfere with traffic or utility lines. The program would also involve pruning young trees to promote strong structure and growth.
Key aspects of the Annual Parkway Tree Pruning Program will include:
Pruning Frequency:
A seven (7) year cycle would be implemented, with exceptions for unique circumstances.
Prunin...
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