TREE-CUTTING POLICY

VILLAGE of LAKE LINDEN

Trees on the public right-of-way are considered by the Village to be a valuable natural resource. As such, careful determination will be made for each case brought to the council’s attention for action.

            The following policy will be applied in these instances.

1.         Only trees posing an immediate safety hazard will be removed on a priority basis.

All other tree trimming will be done by the Village Public Works Department or contractors retained by the Village when time permits.

2.         Requests for tree removal by property owners will be reviewed by the Village on

            an individual basis. Generally if 1/3 or more of the tree is considered to be “dead” and can’t be saved by pruning, the tree will come down at village expense.

3.       If trees need to be pruned or removed for construction and are on the public right-  of-way, the property owner on which the construction is occurring will be responsible for all costs.

The following reasons will NOT be considered in the removal of trees on the right-of-way

· Damage caused by roots to sidewalks or driveways. The village has a shared-expense sidewalk replacement policy.

· Roots in the sewer line. In this event the sewer line needs to be replaced. If tree roots can get in then sewage can get out.

· Property clean-up issues. Because the tree drops leaves on a private property is not sufficient reason to cut down the tree.

The above-listed policies will be generally followed when conflicts arise. However, the Village Council reserves the right to resolve specific instances as they see fit.

Approved by Council resolution  04/08/2004

_______________________________

Robert A. Poirier, Village Clerk

[Posted on the website of the Village of Lake Linden]