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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4414_CCv0001.pdf RESOLUTION NO. 4414 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS ESTABLISHING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE PLANTING, MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL OF TREES ALONG CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND WITHIN PUBLIC PLACES BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDLANDS as follows; Section 1. ARBORICULTURAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE. The City hereby adopts, and the City Forester is hereby authorized to enforce, the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice governing the planting, maintenance, removal, fertilization, pruning, and bracing of trees along streets and other public places within the City. Section 2 . Policy. All work performed on trees located along street and public places shall comply with Chapter 12 . 52 of the Redlands Municipal Code and the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice; provided, however, those Standards may be amended by the City Forester at any time that his experience, new research, or laws make it advisable. No trees shall be removed from public places unless they constitute a hazard to life or property, a public nuisance or because a revision of planting plans necessitates. Section 3 . Species, Cultivars, or Varieties. The City Forester shall prepare lists of trees acceptable for planting along streets and within public places of the City. Undesirable trees shall not be recommended for general planting and their use, if any, shall be restricted to special locations where, because of certain characteristics of adaptability or landsape effect, they can be used to advantage. A. Only desirable, long-lived trees of good appearance, beauty, adaptability, and which are generally free from injurious insects of disease, shall be planted along streets and within public sites. The Parks Commission, in conjunction with the City Forester, shall review at least once every two (2) years the species, cultivars, and varieties included on the list of City-approved trees to determine if any should be removed or if certain new species, cultivars, or varieties or proven dependablty and value should be added. B. Where street blocks have been assigned a particular species or variety on the Master Street Tree Plan, only those species or varities shall be planted. Section 4 . Planting A. Size. Unless otherwise specified by the City Forester, all medium to large deciduous and evergreen tree species and their cultivars and varieties, shall conform to American Association of Nurserymen Standards and be at least eight ( 8) to ten ( 10) feet in height when planted. The crown shall be in good balance with the trunk . All small decid- uous and evergreen tree species and their cultivars or varieties, shall be at least five ( 5 ) to six (6) feet or more in height and have six ( 6 ) or more branches . B. Grade. Unless otherwise allowed for specific reasons, all trees shall have comparatively straight trunks , well developed leaders and tops, and roots characteristic of the species, cultivar , or variety showing evidence of proper nursery pruning. All trees shall be free of insects, diseases, mechanical injuries, and other objectionable features at the time of planting. C. Location and Spacing. ( 1 ) Based on a 40-year cycle, no tree which will attain a trunk diameter greater than twelve (12) to fifteen ( 15) inches shall be planted in a parkway or tree lawn less than three ( 3) to five ( 5) feet in width. In parkways and treelawns less than three ( 3) feet in width, or where overhead lines or building setback presents a special problem, the selection of site and species shall be determined by the City Forester . ( 2 ) Where there is a parkway or treelawn less than three ( 3 ) feet in width, the City may plant trees within five ( 5) feet beyond the sidewalk or curb facing inforcing easement rights on private property. The City may further select, plant, maintain, and remove such trees under the direction of the City Forester . ( 3 ) Trees shall be planted at least thirty ( 30 ) feet from street intersections and at least fifteen ( 15 ) feet from driveways and alleys, and no tree shall be planted within ten ( 10 ) feet of a utility pole. ( 4 ) Spacing of trees shall be determined by the City Forester according to local conditions, the species, cultivars, or varieties used, their mature height, spread and form. Generally, all large trees shall be planted forty -2- i ( 40 ) to sixty ( 60) feet on center ; all medium-sized trees shall be planted a minimum of thirty-five ( 35) feet on center; and all small trees shall be planted a minimum of twenty five ( 25) feet on center . ( 5) All planting on unpaved streets without curbs shall be pursuant to prior written approval of the City Forester who shall determine the tree ' s location so it will not be injured or destroyed when the street is ultimately curbed and paved. D. Methods of Planting and Support. (1) Small deciduous trees may be moved in not less than fifteen ( 15) gallon containers unless otherwise indicated. Roots of trees should be protected against drying out. ( 2) All coniferous trees shall be moved in not less than fifteen ( 15) gallon containers or balled and burlapped. Balled roots shall be protected from drying out at the surface of the ball and against injurious freezing. ( 3) Pits dug for planting of container plants shall be a minimum of twelve (12) inches larger in diameter than the diameter of the root system so as to be of suffi- cient size to accommodate the roots without crowding . For balled trees, the pits shall be a mininum of twelve ( 12) inches larger in diameter than the diameter of the ball of soil to allow proper backfill . ( 4) Plants shall be planted no deeper than previously grown, with due allowance for settling. ( 5) In poorly drained soil , artificial drainage shall be provided to properly drain the soil about the plant roots or water tolerant species shall be selected for such soil conditions. ( 6 ) Top soil, compost , peat moss, or other acceptable soil mixtures shall be placed about the roots, or in the backfill around the ball . When the planting is completed, the entire root area shall be thoroughly saturated with water . ( 7 ) Excessive pruning at the time of transplanting shall be avoided. The extent of top pruning should be based on the ability of the plant roots to function. (8 ) Trees shall be suitably guyed, or supported in an upright position in accorance with accepted arbori- -3- cultural practices . The guys or supports shall be fastened so that they will not girdle or cause serious injury to the tree or endanger public safety. E. Early Maintenance. ( 1) General. Newly planted trees require special attention to maintenance practice during the first two growing seasons following planting. All maintenance prac- tices shall follow approved arboricultural standards . ( 2) Watering. Ample soil moisture shall be maintained following planting. A thorough watering each five ( 5) to ten ( 10) days , depending on soil type and drainage conditions , is usually adequate during the growing season. A soil auger or sampling tube shall be used to check the adequacy of moisture in the soil ball and or backfill . ( 3) Fertilization. Provision of good drainage and adequate moisture of the prepared back-fill, and the soil ball of balled plants, is more important than fertilization immediately following planting. However , adequate quantities of the essential nutrient elements shall be available after new growth starts. ( 4) Insect and Disease Control. Measures for the control of insects and diseases shall be taken as shown necessary by frequent and thorough inspections. Plants in a weakened condition following transplanting are often more susceptible to insects, especially borers, and some diseases than are vigorously growing trees. Where it is necessary to spray, insecticides or fungicides shall be used that are recommended for safe and effective control . ( 5 ) Pruning. Pruning practices to be followed the first few years following planting shall consist of removing dead, broken, or injured branches, the suppression of rank , uneven growth and the removal of water sprouts . Feather growth shall be removed as it reaches pencil size in diam- eter . Pruning shall be practiced subsequent to transplant- ing and as necessary thereafter to assure sturdy crotch development . Tree heads should be raised as growth charac- teristics and location dictates. Newly planted trees need not have lower branches removed until they are will estab- lished. Eventually, trees should have the lower branches removed to a height of at least seven ( 7 ) feet , unless in areas where lower branches do not impede traffic . -4- F. General Maintenance 1 . Pruning and Removal a. Topping or dehorning of trees shall not be permitted except by written permission of the City Forester . Proper cabling and bracing shall be substituted for this practice wherever possible . b. All large, established trees shall be pruned to sufficient height to allow free passage of pedestrians and vehicular traffic: ten ( 10 ) feet over sidewalks and twelve ( 12 ) feet over all streets except those that are subject to truck traffic which shall have a clearance of sixteen ( 16 ) feet . C. It shall be the policy of the City Forester to cooperate with the City Engineer , and vice- versa, in the placement and height of lighting standards and the development of a system of tree pruning to give effective street illumination. d. All cuts shall be made with a saw or pruner and only at the nodes or crotches . No stubs shall be left . Spurs or climbing irons shall not be used in the trees except when trees are to be removed. e . All dead, crossed, and rubbing branches shall be removed. f . All wounds over two ( 2) inches in diameter shall be cosmetically treated with a suitable tree wound dressing. g. All tools being used on trees suspected to be infected with a contagious disease shall be disinfected before being used on another tree . h. Whenever streets are to be blocked off to public service, the City ' s police and fire departments shall be notified of the location and length of time the street will be blocked. Notification shall be given these departments upon the removal of such barriers or if such barriers are to remain longer than originally expected. i . To protect the public from danger , suit- able street and sidewalk barrier highway cones and signs shall be used when pruning a tree . Flashing signals shall be placed on all barriers or obstructions remaining in the street after dark . _6_ ( 1) Timing of Palm Transplanting. All palm trans- planting shall be performed between May 1 through October unless otherwise authorized by the Municipal Arborist . ( 2) Defronding and Tying. All palms to be skinned and trimmed before moving. Palms are not to be trimmed above the horizontal fronds . The remaining fronds shall be lifted up and tied together around the crown of the palm in an upright position and due caution is to be taken not to bind or injure the crown. A lightweight rope or cord not less than 1/4" diameter is to be used in tying up the fronds; wire shall not be used. Defronding and tying work shall be completed prior to digging the rootball . ( 3) Digging the Rootball a. When digging out the rootball no excavation shall be done closer than 24" to the trunk at ground level and the excavation shall extend below the major root system to a minimum depth of six (5) feet . The bottom of the root ball shall be cut off square and perpendicular to the trunk below the major root system. Under no conditions shall the contractor cut down the size of the rootball in width or depth of six ( 5) feet square. b. Care shall be taken not to free fall, drag, roll or abuse the palm or put a strain on the crown at any time. A protective device shall be used around the trunk of the palm while lifting and relocating so as not to scar or skin the trunk in any way. This device shall consist of either a rubber or leather sling. C. At no time shall palms be balled out and laid on the ground with the rootball left exposed to direct sun- light and air . The rootball shall be kept moist and shaded at all times. Palms shall not be stockpiled for replanting. All transplanting holes shall be dug prior to digging rootballs . d. All holes left by transplanting projects shall be backfilled with sand. ( 4 ) Planting of Palms a. Excavation for planting should include the stripping and stacking of all acceptable topsoil encountered within the areas to be excavated for the palm transplanted hole. b. Plams will be transplanted into a seven ( 7) feet by seven ( 7 ) feet hole, with two ( 2 ) feet of coarse -7- j . The stumps of all removed trees shall be cut to at least twelve ( 12) inches below the ground, and soil shall be replaced and the area leveled. 2 . Spraying a . Suitable precautions shall be taken to protect and warn the public that spraying is being done. b. Spraying shall be done only for the control of specific diseases, insects, fruit or growth control, with the proper materials in the necessary strength and applied at the proper time to obtain the desired control . All spraying practices shall conform to federal and state regulations . 3 . Fertilization. Fertilization of public trees shall follow the National Arborist Association or other accepted arboricultural standards and formulations , rates, and methods of application of fertilizers shall be approved by the City Forester . 4. Cavities. Extensive cavity work shall be performed on trees only if they are sufficiently high in value to justify the cost . All cavity work shall conform to the National Arborists Association or other accepted arboricultural standards. 5 . Cabling and Bracing a . As a general rule, cables should be placed approximately two-thirds ( 2/3) of the distance between the crotch and top branch ends . Rust-resistant cables, thimbles, and lags should be used. The ends of a cable should be attached to hooks or eyes of lags or bolts, and thimbles must be used in the eye splice in each end of the cable. In no instance shall cable be wrapped around a branch. b. All cabling and bracing practices with screw rods shall follow National Arborist Association or other accepted arboricultural standards . G. Palm Transplanting. The following specifications shall be followed in the transplanting of all palms . Care shall be taken in excavating, planting, or working near existing utilities or irrigation systems . Developers and Contractors shall check existing utility drawings and as built plans for existing utility and irrigation locations . -6- sand at bottom and backfilled with sand to within twelve ( 12) inches of grade and flooding, alternating water and sand during the transplanting. C. All excavated holes shall have vertical sides with roughend surfaces . Center palm in hole; align with existing palms. Root growth stimulant shall be applied when the backfilling is between half to two-thirds up the root bail. Application rate shall be one ( 1) quart for palms less than thirty ( 30) feet in height , two ( 2 ) quarts for palms thirty ( 30 ) feet and larger in height . Stimulant shall be poured full strength equally distributed around the root- ball, and watered into the backfill . ( 5) Fertilizer . Root Growth Stimulant shall be Vitamin B-1 as manufactured by Cal-liquid, Cooke, Chican, Ortho, or equivlent . (6) Tree Wells and Watering. Tree wells around each palm shall be constructed. Tree wells shall be a minimum of six ( 6) inches above existing ground level and eight ( 8) feet in diameter unless otherwise specified by the City Forester . Palms relocated will be irrigated evey ten ( 10 ) days for the first year by the Developer/Contractor . (7) Clean-up. Following planting work , all remaining excavation shall be backfilled and compacted. Burying of debris in holes shall not be permitted. Excess soil and debris from the relocation work shall be disposed of. Plant materials disturbed by excavating, planting, or replanting shall be replaced. (8) Maintenance. Maintenance shall include water management including soil probing and observation of soil moisture for a period of one ( 1 ) year . At the end of the first six ( 6) mounths the lightweight rope or cord holding the fronds together shall be removed by Developer/Contractor . ( 9 ) Responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the Developer/Contractor to see that the palms are handled as specified and are irrigated as specified. The City shall not be responsible if palms die from mishandling or lack of water and the replacement of the palms, including all costs shall be the responsibility of the Developer/Contractor . Should any of the palms start leaning during the first ninety days , it shall be the responsibility of the Developer/Contractor to straighten them as directed by the City Forester . -8- H. Palm Trimming. The following specifications shall be followed when trimming palms in the City: (1) Defronding, Denubbing All fronds shall be trimmed to a point approximately at horizontal. All loose nubbs shall be removed and remainder to be cut to within four ( 4) inches of trunk . ( 2) Equipment Use. All cutting shall be accomplished from mechanical lifts or aerial hoists . Climbing may only be done by exiting mechanicl lifts or aerial hoists at a minimum height of thirty ( 30) feet from ground level or as directed by the City Forester . ( 3) Clean-up. All fronds, seed and fruit pods, nubbs and other materials cut from palms shall be removed from the job site by the Contractor . All removals and clean-up shall be completed on the same day as the palm is trimmed. Adopted this 4th day of October , 1988 . Mayor , City of Redlands ATTEST: City C1 rk AJ -9- DJM0221