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Urban Tree Policy - Public Works - July 2024
1
MUNICIPALITY OF RHINELAND
POLICY NO. 2024-87
ADOPTED BY: Resolution No. 353/24
Last Updated:
September 2016
DATE: July 10th, 2024
Page: 1 of 6
TITLE: Urban Tree Policy
Department: Public Works
PURPOSE: Establishing an Urban Tree Policy ensures fairness in an equitable
manner in the LUDs of Plum Coulee, Rosenfeld and Gretna while also
enhancing overall accountability and transparency.
RATIONALE: In order to facilitate a reasonable and cost-effective program
structure, the following operating principles have been adopted as the
foundation for this policy:
a) The Municipality maintains the exclusive right and responsibility for
planting, removing, pruning, and protecting any and all boulevard trees
and/or shrubs situated on the Municipality's property. The only
exception to this principle will be in those instances where a developer
will be required to follow the guidelines contained within this policy.
b) The Municipality will strive to ensure that at least one boulevard tree is
present for each residential frontage.
c) All planting of trees in new developments may be subject to the terms of
the applicable development plan in addition to this policy.
d) The Municipality is committed to maintaining the philosophy that two
trees will be planted for each tree that is removed on municipal
property.
e) All aspects of this tree control program will be carried out subject to
approval within the annual operating budget.
DEFINITIONS:
For the purpose of this policy, "Municipal Property" is defined as all civic
lots, boulevards, and right-of-way that are owned by the Municipality
located in the LUDs of Plum Coulee, Rosenfeld and Gretna.
Urban Tree Policy - Public Works - July 2024
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ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES:
1. Planting
a. The width of the existing/planned boulevard, the relation to overhead
utilities, and the soil conditions will govern the species of tree that will
be selected for planting on all LUD property. The list of tree species that
are considered appropriate for planting within the LUDs are attached as
Appendix "A". All planting of trees/shrubs on municipal property must
be approved by the Municipality.
b. Boulevard trees on any given block will be planted in a straight line
parallel to the street curb.
c. Specifications governing the placement of boulevard trees will follow the
provisions of Appendix "B", which is attached to this policy.
d. In those instances, where a developer is doing the tree planting in a new
subdivision, the provisions of this policy will apply.
e. If the Municipality is required to plant under the terms of a specific
development agreement, the Municipality will not plant until the lot is
improved, all underground structures and services have been installed,
and the boulevard is graded. It is also expressly noted that planting will
not occur when the ground is in frozen condition, during periods of
extreme heat or when the ground is overly saturated with moisture. In
these instances, planting will occur as soon as possible after these
conditions have been rectified.
2. Maintenance
a. The Municipality is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of all
trees/shrubs that are located on Municipal property. In order to avoid
contact with vehicular/pedestrian traffic and municipal equipment
uses, all branches on boulevard trees below the height of 2.3 meters
will be removed. The only exception to this will be on designated truck
routes, where the boulevard tree will be removed below the height of
4.2 meters.
b. Maintenance of private trees/shrubs causing obstructions on
Municipal property
c. The owner or occupant of a property with private trees or shrubs
abutting on the right-of-way of any street, alley, sidewalk or other
public place is responsible for trimming, removing, or pruning back
branches or other growth which may project or exist beyond the
property line.
Urban Tree Policy - Public Works - July 2024
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d. The Municipality will have the authority to trim and/or remove
obstructions caused by the growth of trees/shrubs that are located on
private property which abuts Municipal property. The Municipality will
attempt to notify property owners prior to commencing works. These
obstructions shall include impediment to street lighting,
vehicular/pedestrian traffic, signage, and intersection sight lines. This
authority will also apply to those private trees/shrubs whose roots may
damage sidewalks, public streets, and any infrastructure related to the
provision of public utilities. In those instances, where the Municipality
has undertaken to complete this work, the cost for this work may be
the responsibility of the property owner.
3. Protection
a. Tree safety can become an issue because of physical damages, rot, and
disease. The Municipality is responsible for ensuring, in as much as is
reasonably practical, the safety of all trees/and shrubs located on
Municipal property.
b. The Municipality reserves the right to enter private property and inspect
the condition of trees which may present a safety concern for the
general public or public property.
4. Removal
a. The Municipality reserves the right to remove any tree/shrub that is
located on Municipal property.
b. Trees/shrubs will only be removed due to one of the following:
The tree is deemed to be dangerous to public safety or property due to its:
a. Location
b. Physical condition - e.g. Broken limbs
c. Health - e.g. Severe rot or pest infestations
c. The planting of the tree/shrub has been carried out without the
approval of the Municipality. If the identity of the person who planted
this tree/shrub can be established, the Municipality reserves the
right to undertake the recovery of tree/shrub removal costs through
whatever means are available.
d. Other circumstances will be evaluated on their own merits.
5. Revision
Council may, in consultation with the Policy Committee and by resolution,
amend this policy.
Urban Tree Policy - Public Works - July 2024
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APPENDIX "A"
LARGE SIZE TREES
Species
Common Name
Acer Saccharinum
Silver Maple
Fraxinus Pennsylvanica
Green Ash (Patmore)
Fraxinus Nigra
Black Ash (Fall Gold)
Fraxinus Mandshurica
Mancana Ash
Tilia Americana
American Linden (Basswood)
Acer Negundo
Manitoba Maple (Box Elder)
Americana Savanna
Burr Oak
Acer saccharinum
Silver Cloud Maple
Freemanjii Maple
Sienna Glen Maple
Acer X Freemanjii Jeffersred
Autumn Blaze Maple
Acer Ginnala
Amur Maple
MEDIUM SIZE TREES
Species
Common Name
Celtis Occidentalis
Delta Hackeberry
Ulmus Davidiana
Discovery Elm
Tilia Flavescens
Dropmore Linden
Ulmus Americana Brandon
Brandon Elm
Acer platanoides
Columnar Norway Maple
Syringa reticulate
Ivory Silk Tree Lilac
SMALL SIZE TREES
Species
Common Name
Syringa Reticulata
Japenese Lilac
Malus X
Spring Snow Crab
Acer Tataricum
Tatarian Maple
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APPENDIX "B"
Minimum linear distances between plantings of boulevard trees/shrubs:
Large size trees:
13-16 m Apart
Medium size trees:
10-13 m Apart
Small size trees: 7-10 m Apart
Minimum linear distances from planting of trees/shrubs to selected above
ground
structures:
Frontage Curb:
4.5 meters
Fire Hydrants:
3 meters
Hydro Poles:
3 meters
Manholes:
3 meters
Street Intersections:
10 meters from edge of intersecting curb
Alley/driveways/walkways:
4.5 meters from edge of curb an access
point
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** (Other species and cultivars may be acceptable- dependent on
availability and cost) ***