1.  Tree Maintenance

A.  Public Inquiries

The public is encouraged to inquire about the condition of a tree by calling the Service-Safety Director's Office in City Hall.  In some cases, the City will call upon the services of the urban forester from Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, who serves as a consultant to the Shade Tree Commission. The Tree Commission will  recommended an action and give their decision to the Service-Safety Director.  Residents will be contacted about the decision.

B.  Permit Procedure

A resident or contractor requesting to remove, prune or plant a tree in a public area of the City must submit the request to the Service-Safety Director's office and have that office fill out a tree permit.  The Code Enforcement Office then will confirm that the tree or shrub is in the City right of way or on a public area.  Trees determined to be City property will be inspected by a member of the Tree Commission, and, if a professional arborist's opinion is needed, by the ODNR urban forester consulting to the Tree Commission.

The Tree Commission will provide recommendations on the permit application form.  The application is then given to the Service-Safety Director's office to communicate to the resident or contractor.  It is the responsibility of the resident to obtain a completed, approved permit before proceeding with the requested action.

C.  Priority Ranking of Tree Maintenance

Trees requiring pruning or removal are given a priority as follows:

 Emergency.  Condition of tree indicates imminent hazard and action should be taken at once. The City Service Safety Director has the authority to order work on an tree in an emergency without reference to the Shade Tree Commission. If this is an emergency call 592 3338.

 Priority-1.  Tree should go on the next contract.

 Priority-2.  Future action may be required.  Priority 2 trees will be reevaluated before being placed on the next contract.  If their condition improves, they may be removed from the list.

 Priority-3.  No action required.  Tree will be reevaluated periodically to monitor its condition.

 Priority-4.  No action appropriate.  This indicates a tree for which a resident has requested maintenance that is not appropriate to a sound urban tree program.  Typically, a Priority-4 tree might be one for which extensive pruning or removal has been requested by the resident for personal reasons.

D.  Maintenance Work

Maintenance of City trees is performed by City crews or by a contracted tree service company.  Occasionally, Tree Commission members may remove or prune limbs of smaller trees.  Contracts for tree pruning and removal are awarded as needed to licensed tree pruners. The list of current priority trees is maintained by the Service-Safety Director's office.