FAQ
What is a Tree?
The definition of a tree is variable when it comes to different communities and municipalities. Nearly everyone can agree that the giant oak tree located in the town park is a tree, but definitions can be confusing when it comes to smaller trees. It is also important to make sure you are only inventorying trees which your municipality maintains.
In some areas the trees a municipality are responsible for are very obvious. Frequently trees located between the sidewalk and the road fall under the responsibility off the municipality, but that is not always the case. It is important to check with the local ordinances in your town to make sure the trees that you are inventorying are your responsibility and not that of the property owner. In areas where there are not sidewalks a right of way along the roads normally exists that is a set distance from the edge of the road/curb, or from the center line of the road.
Make sure the trees you are measuring need to be included, even though roads pass through an area, their maintenance may be the responsibility of a different entity. County roads, and state highways cross through many different municipalities are often fall under the purview of other government agencies.
In some areas the trees a municipality are responsible for are very obvious. Frequently trees located between the sidewalk and the road fall under the responsibility off the municipality, but that is not always the case. It is important to check with the local ordinances in your town to make sure the trees that you are inventorying are your responsibility and not that of the property owner. In areas where there are not sidewalks a right of way along the roads normally exists that is a set distance from the edge of the road/curb, or from the center line of the road.
Make sure the trees you are measuring need to be included, even though roads pass through an area, their maintenance may be the responsibility of a different entity. County roads, and state highways cross through many different municipalities are often fall under the purview of other government agencies.
When Trees Are Bad
While trees provide many benefits to the areas where they grow including pollution reduction and energy savings they can also cause damage to local infrastructure and other property. Data collectors should note all of the trees in their inventory that are damaging near by infrastructure to help stay on top of maintenance to sidewalks and utility lines that need attention.
Sidewalks
A tree's roots can cause many problems for the hardscaping around it. Roots and trunks can grow over curbs and sidewalks encroaching on the space available for use. Roots growing under sidewalks can lift the blocks up causing hazards. A lot of the time sidewalks can be uplifted but not in a serious manner, so it is important to have some type of guidelines for determining whether or not damage needs to be noted.
Utility Lines
Frequently trees get planted directly under utility lines. When the wrong trees are planted they can grow up into the utility lines and cause disruptions in service, or fires from the high power lines. Notes should be taken when trees are starting to interact with utility lines, or growing into/around those lines. Guidelines should be established to determine if reporting is required or not for each situation.
Sidewalks
A tree's roots can cause many problems for the hardscaping around it. Roots and trunks can grow over curbs and sidewalks encroaching on the space available for use. Roots growing under sidewalks can lift the blocks up causing hazards. A lot of the time sidewalks can be uplifted but not in a serious manner, so it is important to have some type of guidelines for determining whether or not damage needs to be noted.
Utility Lines
Frequently trees get planted directly under utility lines. When the wrong trees are planted they can grow up into the utility lines and cause disruptions in service, or fires from the high power lines. Notes should be taken when trees are starting to interact with utility lines, or growing into/around those lines. Guidelines should be established to determine if reporting is required or not for each situation.