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WHAT
YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TREE OWNERSHIP
"Who
is responsible for taking care of trees?"
This depends on where the tree
is, and on what needs to be
done.
The
easiest case is a tree on
PRIVATE
PROPERTY. This belongs
to the landowner, who
is responsible for its health, safety, and eventual
removal. In some cases,
the City or the state Extension Service can provide
helpful information. If a
privately-owned tree threatens
public property, the City may point out the
problem and remind the owner
of the possible consequences of neglecting
responsibility.
Platted
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
are City property, so in general the trees on them are
City property. The City should
prune right-of-way trees for safety, for
clearance above streets (14')
and sidewalks (8'), visibility around signs and
signals, and at intersections.
Residents should notify the Urban Forestry
Division about special
problems that come up between regular prunings.
An
EASEMENT is not a piece
of property. It is the right of someone (such as the
City) to use a specific part
of someone else's property (yours, for example) for
certain limited purposes, such
as drainage or utility service.
There
are three general situations:
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The
City may need to remove or prune trees in order to
fulfill its responsibilities
involving the easement.
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If
the City's use of an easement causes a tree problem, the
City should deal with the problem.
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However, when easement trees have other problems not
related to the city's use
of the easement -- (wind or
lightning damage, for example) -- it is the
property owner's
responsibility to handle them.
YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES
In return
for the many benefits of trees, each citizen has some
obligations.
NOTIFICATION
Your
most important responsibility is to notify the City about
hazardous conditions, and to
take care of your own trees:
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Call Urban Forestry or Public Works about hazards
related to dead or defective trees on rights-of-way or
other public land.
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Call the Transportation Department about visibility
problems near streets.
-
Call Utilities about tree problems involving power
lines.
PERMITS
Anyone, other than a City department or public utility,
who desires to remove a
right-of-way tree may be required to get a permit.
CARE OF
TREES
With
a little study and good tools, practically anyone can do
excellent pruning work near
ground level. If you do this work, you will be
better prepared to shop for
and supervise the aerial work that requires special
training and equipment.
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