To provide the Public Works/Parks Department with policy direction for maintenance and removal of trees on City lands and right of ways, in order to provide visual aesthetics and safety to residents and property, given the available manpower, materials and financial resources.

Generally, the City of Revelstoke desires to preserve and enhance the City’s attractive forested character, ecological systems and natural parklands, while recognizing the responsibility to minimize risk to the public and property.  Therefore, this policy will clarify the responsibilities and procedures for the maintenance and removal of trees, as well as prescribe the procedures to carry out work on trees within the City.
 

This section applies to all trees located wholly or in part on City property, dedicated roads and parks. 0n request, the City Arborist will inspect trees on City property and will mitigate hazards to the public or property according to the procedures outlined below in 1.a and Appendix 1, “Tree Rating Procedure for Trees on City Property”. If additional work not related to safety is requested, the City will consider the request subject to the conditions outlined below in Section 2, “Non Hazardous Trees on City Property” and Section 3, “Issuing of Permits”.

a)   Tree hazards will be mitigated in accordance with the procedure set out in the attached Appendix 1, “Tree Rating Procedure for Trees on City Property” which forms part of this policy. The tree(s) identified with the Priority 1 hazard rating will be dealt with first and as soon as practical within the work schedule limits as prescribed in Appendix 1.

b)   Should the requester disagree with the tree assessment by the City Arborist, the requester may obtain a secondary opinion from a qualified arborist (at the requester’s expense). This assessment will be reviewed and considered before a final decision is made. The City Arborist reserves the right to make the final decision.

2. NON HAZARDOUS TREES ON CITY PROPERTY

The Superintendent will consider a permit application to allow work not related to safety as defined above in Section 1, “Hazardous Trees on City Property” and Appendix 1, “Tree Rating Procedure for Trees on City Property” subject to the following:

a)   The resident must make a permit application pursuant to the City of Revelstoke Tree Maintenance and Removal Policy.

b)   The permit fees and associated cost of the work and the cost of restitution will be the responsibility of the applicant.

c)   All potential permit work will consider the tree’s safety and long-term health and must not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance, viability of the tree and its ecological values.

d)   If removal is requested, the City Arborist will assess the tree in terms of its contribution to the streetscape and forested character of the neighbourhood; its contribution to wildlife habitat and the ecosystem; and the uniqueness of the specimen. Replacement with trees and/or appropriate vegetation will be considered as compensation.

e)   If removal of a number of trees or significant pruning work is permitted, the work may be staged over a period of time at the discretion of the City Arborist to lessen the impacts. Replacement with trees and/or appropriate vegetation will be considered as compensation.

f)    Requests for removal of trees to improve view and sunlight and abate twig, leaf and needle drop, are not acceptable reasons to remove healthy trees, however, some pruning may be permitted with consideration for the health, integrity, appearance and survival of the tree. Replacement with trees and/or appropriate vegetation will be considered as compensation.

g) The following trees will not be considered for pruning or removal:

• Basswood (Tilia Americana) American Elm (Ulmus Americana)
• Garry Oak (Quercus Garryana) Foothills Green Ash (Fraxinus Pennsyluanica)
• Red Oak (Quercus Rubba) Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera)
• Historical Tree; or Unique Specimen Tree

unless there are compelling circumstances to warrant removal, such as a tree within a building or development envelope where all design options to save the tree have been exhausted or where pruning will save the tree or reduce a hazard.

h) Topping of trees is not an acceptable pruning method and will not be permitted, with the exception of previously topped trees.

i) Previously topped trees may be re-topped if at the discretion of the City Arborist, topping would be a suitable technique to sustain the tree, reduce or eliminate a future hazard (or existing hazard) or be appropriate for the specific circumstances as assessed on a case-by-case basis. It is recognized that a topped tree still has wildlife and aesthetic value as well as having an important function with respect to maintaining slope stability, groundwater, and reducing precipitation impacts to the soil.

If the tree is allowed to be re-topped, then other appropriate tree species and/or vegetation will be considered as replacement for the possible future removal of the re-topped tree(s).

j) The City reserves the right to refuse any permit requests.

3. ISSUING OF PERMIT: TREES ON CITY PROPERTY

If the requirements of Section 2, “Non Hazardous Trees on City Property” are met, a permit may be issued for the requested work subject to the following:

a) The applicant will be required to submit a signed consent form distributed as per Section 6, “Public Consent” on the form prescribed by the Public Works/Parks Department. The form shall be distributed by the applicant to the affected owners in the area wherein the affected owners state that they are aware of the request and have no objection to the work requested.

b) Information to accompany the consent form includes a photo of the tree(s), the species of the tree(s), the corresponding tree numbers slated for the work with a sketch or plan locating the trees proposed for work.

c) In the event that one or more of the affected owners object to the proposed work, the Superintendent will attempt to facilitate a solution acceptable to the applicant, affected owners and the appropriate staff from the City.

d) Where consensus has been reached the applicant will be required to include a replanting plan as compensation for any trees removed.

e) If no compromise solution can be found, then a permit will not be issued and the work will not be done.

f) After clarifying the proposed work with the City Arborist, the applicant will provide a written quote for the work plus the cost of any restitution required as quoted by a suitably insured contractor. The City reserves the right to refuse any quote if it is deemed unsatisfactory to accomplish the required work including cleanup and replanting.

g) The permit may be issued when the City has received the following:

a. the completed signed consent form, as prescribed in Section 6, “Public Consent”

b. the completed permit application form

c. a property map or sketch to scale indicating the location of the proposed tree work, the species of the tree(s) with a corresponding number tag attached to each tree

d. corresponding photo(s) of the tree(s) before and after the work is done, from the same orientation, may be required to complete the file

e. a payment to cover the cost of permit fee(s)

f. a payment equal to the estimate for the requested pruning or removal work

g. a refundable deposit (as per tree permit application) to ensure restitution requirements are met. If after 60 days the requirements for restitution have not been met, the City will cash the deposit and complete the restitution requirements.

4. TREE WORK AND INSPECTIONS ON CITY OWNED LAND

a) Natural Parkland and Urban Parkland:

Trees adjacent to mulch trails, engineered trails, gravel connector trails and areas of congregation will be visually inspected upon request. Hazards will be mitigated as per section 1.0 and trail blockages removed. User frequency of these parklands will be considered when assessing the trees. Habitat enhancement through the creation of wildlife trees will be done wherever possible. Perimeters of parkland adjacent to other property will be inspected for tree concerns upon request and hazards mitigated as per Section 1, “Hazardous Trees on City Property”.

b) Unopened Lane Allowances, Road Allowances and Other City Owned Land:

Trees in and adjacent to unopened lane allowances, road allowances and other City owned land will be inspected for tree concerns on request and hazards mitigated as per Section 1, “Hazardous Trees on City Property”.

c) Tree Clearing on City Property:

In order to ensure that clearing of City lands is done in accordance with City standards, all clearing and site preparation of approved development of City lands shall be conducted under the supervision of the City Arborist . A security deposit may be taken from the applicant to ensure that the protection measures are adhered to.

5. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: TREE WORK ON CITY PROPERTY

a) Work to be conducted on trees rated as “Priority 1”, pursuant to the rating procedure described in Appendix 1, “Tree Rating Procedure for Trees on City Property”, will not invoke the requirement for Public Notification.

b) The City Arborist or appropriate staff shall give five (5) working days notice to the area residents regarding the work to be conducted on trees rated as “Priority 2 through Priority 5” The notification shall describe the work to be done using standardized Door Hangers or other appropriate methods. The number of residents to receive notification shall be determined as described in Section 6, Public Consent.

6. PUBLIC CONSENT: TREE WORK ON CITY PROPERTY

Upon a permit application for work on non-hazardous trees on City owned land, the City Arborist will assess the level of impact to the neighborhood due to the requested work. If the permit application is of moderate or high impact, or involves trees on Park property then the City Arborist will first review the permit application with the Superintendent to determine if the application should proceed. If the permit application is allowed to proceed, then the level of public consent will be determined as follows:

a) Low Impact Pruning or Removal:

This includes as a minimum, the distribution of the consent form by the applicant to the properties directly adjacent to the proposed work

b) Moderate Impact pruning or removal:

This includes as a minimum, the distribution of the consent form by the applicant to nine (9) properties adjacent to proposed work.

c) High impact pruning or removal:

The City Arborist, or appropriate staff will contact the general neighbourhood as per 6.b above. The Public Works/Parks Department shall also install signage in the vicinity of the site, indicating the work to be completed. Based on the response from the signage and the neighbourhood association, a public consultation meeting may be arranged by the Public Works/Parks Department. This process shall occur a minimum of 20 working days in advance of the proposed commencement of work.

7. TREE WORK CITY REVITALIZATION AREA:

a) Those being trees planted in sidewalk areas or grates.

b) Due to the planting location these trees life expectancy is limited and therefore a small percentage of them will be removed and replanted annually.

c) Trees in the revitalization area will be considered as a Priority 2 rating.

d) The City Arborist will inspect and assess these trees on an as needed basis.
 

TREE MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL POLICY  “APPENDIX I”

1. Inspection Requests: “Requests for Service” (inspections) will be processed as follows:

a) All requests originating from the public or internal sources will be received and processed by the Public Works/Parks Department.

b) The City Arborist will carry out an initial inspection and will complete Appendix 2, “Tree Inspection” which forms part of this policy.

c) The Public Works/Parks Department or a designated qualified arborist will carry out required tree maintenance or removal work as necessary.

2. Inspection Procedures:

a) Visual Inspection:

Ø If the ownership of the tree is in doubt, a survey may be conducted to determine ownership.

Ø 360 degree, walk around, visual inspection of the tree from ground level. This inspection, does not include any practice that is intrusive to the tree.

b) Physical Inspection:

If, after the visual inspection, there is a question about the structural integrity of the tree, then the following options are available for further inspection.

Ø The inspector may have the tree climbed to inspect potential areas of concern.

Ø The tree may be bored to determine soundness of the bole.

Ø The root crown may be excavated to inspect the roots.

c) After inspection, the tree will be rated according to the criteria outlined below.

3. Tree Rating Procedure:

The following table summarizes the Tree Ratings and corresponding Work Schedule.

Tree Rating Guidelines

Priority 1:

1. This is a tree that has one or more of the following visible characteristics:

a) Signs of ground movement or heaving.
b) Recent cracking on the bole of the tree.
c) Hung-up tree.
d) Broken limbs hanging over a moderate to high frequency target.
e) Failed tree lying on property or road.
f) Visible defect that could result in catastrophic failure.
g) Poor bark, bug dust, moss and fungus or woodpecker holes.
h) Dead tree with extensive decay visible to the inspector and a high frequency target.

2. Trees with this rating have the first priority for removal or pruning. The inspector will immediately send the required work to the Parks Foreman for mitigation.

3. These trees shall be dealt with as soon as practical within work schedule limits.

4. “Priority 1” trees will not invoke the requirement for Public Notification as prescribed in Section 5.0.

Priority 2:

1. This is a tree that has one or more of the following characteristics:

a) Visible fruiting bodies of known heartrots.
b) Unusual lean.
c) Visible defect that could result in catastrophic failure of tree.
d) The tree is determined to be unsound after physical inspection.
e) Structural integrity of root system determined to be compromised after physical inspection.
f) Dead with minor decay visible to the inspector and a high frequency target.
g) Obstruction of traffic signs. *
h) Interference with distribution or transmission lines. **

2. Trees located in the revitalization area that have been identified by the Parks Foreman for removal and replacement.

3. Trees with this rating have second priority for removal or pruning. The inspector will send the work to the Parks Foreman to be included in the next monthly tree work plan.
 
* Note: To be referred to the Road Foreman.
** Note: To be referred to B.C. Hydro.

Priority 3:

1. Trees in this category have one or more of the following characteristics:

a) Dead tree with a target of moderate to low frequency and minimal visible decay.
b) Encroachment of branches onto house and/or roots incurring some form of damage to boulevards or private property.
c) Limbs obstructing driver visibility.
d) Limbs interfering with residential utility feed.
e) Visible defect that could result in partial failure of tree with a moderate to low frequency target.
f) Excessive wind loading on trees with a high frequency target.

2. Trees with this rating have third priority for removal or pruning, but may be dealt with as the workload allows.

3. Trees assessed as “Priority 3” will be documented and referred to the Parks Foreman for mitigation for workload permits.

Priority 4:

1. Trees in this category have one or more of the following characteristics:

a) Minor Limb and or root encroachment to private property or structures
b) Excessive wind-loading on trees with a moderate to low frequency target.
c) Trees that are growing near or beginning to encroach into private property causing no visible damage.

2. Trees with this rating have fourth priority for removal or pruning. Trees in this category may eventually develop into a “Priority 3” in the future.

3. The annual budget allotted by Council for tree and the workload will be the limiting factors in the determining when this work is completed.

4. If deferred, these trees will be documented and filed for review near the fiscal year-end and completed as budget and priorities allow.

Priority 5:

1. Trees in this category have the lowest priority and can be attended to as the annual budget allotted by Council for tree maintenance and as the workload allows.

2. Examples of Priority 5 are:

a) Thinning of immature trees for stand management.
b) Inappropriate volunteer trees on boulevards, in road ends or right of ways.
c) Trees with none of the characteristics in the assessments for “Priority 1, 2, 3 or 4”.

3. The annual budget allotted by Council for tree work and the workload will be the limiting factors in the determining when this work is completed.

4. If deferred, these trees shall be documented and filed for review near the fiscal yearend and completed as the budget and priorities allow.

The City of Revelstoke
Permit for Tree Pruning or Removal

Permit No. _______________________

This Permit is hereby issued to: ____________________________
                          (name of owner – individual or company – the Permittee)

for tree pruning / tree cutting on: ______________________________
                                                            (insert legal description)                                                 ______________________________
                                                         (insert municipal civic address)

pursuant to the provisions of the City of Revelstoke, “Tree Maintenance and Removal Policy”,  subject to:

1.    Submission of the signed Public Consent Form.

2.    Payment of $25.00 Permit Fee.

3.    A security deposit equal to the estimated cost to perform the proposed works, which will be held until all conditions of this permit have been met.

4.    Replacement trees and /or site restoration work to be completed within the following specific time period.  Failure to complete the works within the allocated time, will result in the City of Revelstoke completing said works and deducting said cost to complete work from the security deposit.

5.    Tree pruning or removal being undertaken strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions of this permit and any plans and specifications being attached hereto as part of this permit.

I, ___________________________ agree to the above noted conditions.

__________________________________ 
(signature)
__________________________________
(date)

City of Revelstoke
Tree Inspection Form

Date: __________________________________

Location of tree work: ______________________

Requested by: ______________________

Phone number: _______________________________________

If “yes: is answered to any of the questions above an Arborist report is required.

An Arborist report must contain the following information.

• Location, species, DBH and height of the tree.
• Photos of defects.
• Condition of the tree, including all defects that may or may not be critical in terms of tree health.
• Past work or activity of the tree.
• Site description (slope, are there other trees present, their general condition, target if failure should occur, etc.)
• Effect of work on neighbouring trees.
• Reason for the work (sunlight, hazardous tree etc.)
• Recommendation
   

 
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