WELCOME TO

TREE CITYUSA!

KENTUCKYDIVISION OF FORESTRY

What’s Inside?

Required Standards:

A Tree Board orForestry Department

A Community Tree Ordinance

A Community Forestry Programwith an Annual Budget of at least $2Per Capita

An Arbor Day Observance andProclamation

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,committed citizens can change the world.Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

The Tree City USA (TCUSA) Programrecognizes communities that demonstrate astrong commitment to the management of theirurban forests. This program is sponsored by theNational Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperationwith the National Association of StateForesters. The Kentucky Division of Forestryoffers technical and educational assistance thatenables communities to develop sustainablecommunity forestry programs.

This booklet contains step-by-stepinstructions to walk the first time TCUSAapplicant through the application process. Fourstandards are required for certification, and therequirements for each are outlined within thisbooklet. It is important for communities tocarefully review the four required standards atthe beginning of the calendar year to allow timefor meeting the standards. If you needassistance or have any questions, contact theKentucky Division of Forestry at(502) 564-4496.

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STANDARD 1: A Tree Board orForestry Department

The Tree Board or Forestry Department mustbe established by ordinance and given theresponsibility for the management of the city'surban forest.

Date Tree Board was Established March 1, 1997

Tree Board Members:

Name Address PhoneJoe Smith* 123 Joshua Tree (502) 123-4567Bob Jones 456 Cactus Pike (502) 456-7890Liz Taylor 8890 Bryan Rd. (502) 345-7584Mary Poppy 346 London St. (502) 395-9001

*List Chairperson First

Meeting Dates and Meeting Description

March 31 - Organized Arbor Day Celebration.April 27 - Discussed Street Tree Ordinance.May 15 - Revised Street Tree Ordinance.June 12 - Organized Earth Day Celebration.August 18 - Discussed Upcoming Events.September 4 - Discussed Upcoming Events.October 20 - Planted 6 Memorial Trees.November 7 - Discussed Programming Ideas.December 9 - Completed 1993 Tree City USA

Application.

EXAMPLE (Standard 1)

OR

Our community tree management program iscoordinated by the City Forestry Department.The Forestry Department is supervised by ourCity Forester, John Doe at (502) 863-2200.

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STANDARD 2: A Community Tree Ordinance

The community tree ordinance must haveminimum standards for tree protection andmaintenance.

EXAMPLE (Standard 2)

Sample Tree Ordinance forSmall to Mid-Size Communities

AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THEPROTECTION OF TREES ON PUBLICPROPERTY WHICH SERVE THE PUBLICINTEREST BY PROVIDING OXYGEN,STABILIZATION OF THE SOIL, PREVENTIONOF EROSION, SHELTER FOR WILDLIFE,CONSERVATION OF ENERGY BYPROVIDING SHADE, FILTERING AIR, ANDADDING TO THE BEAUTY OF THE CITY OFHOMETOWN.WHEREAS, trees provide a setting with avariety of color unsurpassed in shade and hue;andWHEREAS, trees are an invaluablephysiological counterpart to the man-madeurban setting; andWHEREAS, trees absorb a high percentage ofcarbon dioxide and return oxygen, a vitalingredient to life; andWHEREAS, trees are a valuable asset that canaffect an area economically; andWHEREAS, the City Commission of the City ofHometown has determined that the protection oftrees on public property within Hometown is notonly desirable but essential to the present andfuture safety, and welfare of all citizens; andWHEREAS, the City of Hometown recognizesthat trees on public property are valuablecontributors to the City's environment;NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the CityCommission of the City of Hometown,Kentucky:

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Park Trees: "Park trees" are herein defined astrees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woodyvegetation in public parks having individualnames, and all areas owned by the City or whichthe public has free access as a park.

Section 2: Creation and Establishmentof a City Tree Board

There is hereby created and established a CityTree Board for the City of Hometown, Kentucky,which shall consist of five members, citizens, andresidents of the City, who shall be appointed bythe Mayor with the approval of the Commission.

The term of the five persons appointed by theMayor shall be three years except that the term oftwo of the members appointed initially shall befor one year, and the term of two members of thefirst Board shall be for two years. In the eventthat a vacancy shall occur during the term of anymember, his successor shall be appointed for theunexpired portion of the term.

Section 4: Compensation

Members of the Board shall serve withoutcompensation.

Section 3: Term of Office

Section 5: Duties and Responsibilities

It shall be the responsibility of the Board tostudy, investigate, counsel, develop and/orupdate annually, and administer a written plan for

Section 1: Definitions

Street Trees: "Street trees" are herein defined astrees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woodyvegetation on land lying between property lineson either side of all streets, avenues, or wayswithin the City.

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Section 6: Operation

The Board shall choose its own officers, makeits own rules and regulations, and keep a journalof its findings. A majority of the members shallbe a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 7: Street Tree Species to be Planted

Tree Board will formulate an official StreetTree Species List for Hometown, Kentucky.The list of allowable species shall be brokendown into categories of small, medium, andlarge trees. No species other than thoseincluded in this list may be planted as StreetTrees without written permission of the CityTree Board.

Section 8: Spacing

The spacing of street trees will be in accordancewith the three size classes referred to in Section7 of this ordinance, and no trees may be plantedcloser together than the following: small trees,30 feet; medium trees, 40 feet; and large trees,50 feet.

Section 9: Distance from Curb and Sidewalk

The distance trees may be planted from curbs orcurblines and sidewalks will be in accordance

the care, preservation, pruning, planting,replanting, removal, or disposition of trees andshrubs in parks, along streets, and in other publicareas. Such will be presented annually to theCity Commission and, upon acceptance andapproval, shall constitute the officialcomprehensive tree plan for the City ofHometown, Kentucky. The Board, whenrequested by the City Commission, shallconsider, investigate, make finding, andrecommend upon any special matter of questioncoming within the scope of its work.

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with the three size classes listed in Section 7 ofthis ordinance, and no trees may be plantedcloser to any curb or sidewalk than thefollowing: small trees, 2 feet; medium trees, 3feet; and large trees, 4 feet.

Section 10: Distance from Street Cornersand Hydrants

No street tree shall be planted closer than 20feet to any street corner, measured from thepoint of nearest intersection curbs andcurblines. No street trees shall be plantedcloser than 10 feet to any hydrant.

Section 11: Public Tree Care

The City shall have the right to plant, prune,maintain, and remove trees, plants, and shrubswithin the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues,lanes, squares, and public grounds as may benecessary to ensure public safety or to preserveor enhance the symmetry and beauty of suchpublic grounds. The City Tree Board mayremove or cause or order to be removed anytree or part thereof which is an unsafe conditionor which by reason of its nature is injurious dueto fungus, insects, or other pests. This sectiondoes not prohibit the planting of street trees byadjacent property owners providing that theselection and location of said trees is in

Section 12: Tree Topping

It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for anyperson, firm, or city department to top any streettree, park tree, or other tree on public property.Topping is defined as the severe cutting back oflimbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameterwithin the tree's crown to such a degree so as toremove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.Trees severely damaged by storms or othercauses or certain trees under utility wires andother obstructions where alternative pruning

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Section 15: Interference with CityTree Board

It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent,delay, or interfere with the City Tree Board orany of it agents or servants while engaging in andabout the planting, cultivating, mulching,pruning, spraying, or removing of any street

practices are impractical may be exempt from thisordinance at the determination of the City TreeBoard.

Section 13: Pruning, Corner Clearance

Every owner of any tree overhanging any streetor right-of-way within the City shall prune thebranches so that such branches shall notobstruct the light from any street lamp orobstruct the view of any street intersection andso that there shall be a clear space of eight feet(8') above the surface of the street or sidewalk.Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased, ordangerous trees or broken or decayed limbswhich may constitute a menace to the safety ofthe public when it interferes with the properspread of light along the street from a street lightor interferes with visibility of any traffic controldevice or sign.

Section 14: Dead or Diseased Tree Removal on Private Property

The City shall have the right to cause the removalof any dead or diseased trees on private propertywithin the City when such trees constitute ahazard to life and property or harbor insects ordisease which constitute a potential threat toother trees within the City. The City Tree Boardwill determine hazardous trees which mayconstitute a menace to the safety of the publicwhen it interferes with the visibility of any trafficcontrol device, sign or street light.

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file evidence of possession of liability insurancein the minimum amounts of $25,000 for bodilyinjury and $10,000 property damage indemnifyingthe City or any person injured or damageresulting from the pursuit of such endeavors asherein described.

Section 17: Review by City Commission

The City Commission shall have the right toreview the conduct, acts, and decisions of theCity Tree Board. Any person may appeal fromany ruling or order of the City Tree Board to theCity Commission who may hear the matter andmake the final decision.

Section 16: Arborist Licensing and Bond

It shall be unlawful for any person or firm toengage in the business or occupation of pruning,treating, or removing street or park trees withinthe City without first applying for and procuringa license. The license fee shall be $25 annually inadvance provided, however, that no license shallbe required of any public service company orCity employee doing such work in the pursuit oftheir public service endeavors. Before anylicense shall be issued, each applicant shall first

Section 18: Penalty

Any person violating any provision of thisordinance shall be, upon conviction or a plea ofguilt, subject to a fine not to exceed $500.

trees, park trees, or trees on private grounds, asauthorized in this ordinance.

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STANDARD 3: A Community ForestryProgram with an AnnualBudget of at Least $2 perCapita

City must have a comprehensive treemanagement program supported by $2 percapita per year.

EXAMPLE (Standard 3)

Annual Workplan

I. Tree Plantinga. County Parkb. Hometown Schoolc. Main Street

II. Tree Maintenancea. Routine pruning on city park treesb. Remove hazardous trees on Main Street

III. Arbor Daya. Tree Giveaway at County Parkb. Educational Walk in County Parkc. Tree City USA Ceremony

Annual Budget

Tree Planting............................................$10,000

Tree Maintenance.......................................$7,000(pruning and tree removals)

Supplies......................................................$4,000

TOTAL $21,000

*The population of Hometown, Kentucky is10,000.

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Allowable Budget Expenditures

The following expenses for public tree care(street, park, cemetery) may be counted inmeeting the $2 per capita requirement:

I. Administrative costs:

a. city worker salariesb. survey or inventory expensesc. computer inventory softwared. administrative time (paperwork)e. insurance costs

II. Planting Materials, Supplies, & Misc.:

a. tree purchasesb. equipment purchasesc. mulchd. fertilizere. staking supplies

III. Tree Maintenance:

a. tree planting laborb. wateringc. pruningd. mulchinge. dead tree and stump removalf. leaf and brush pickupg. insect and disease controlh. contract worki. tree trimming expenditures by

utility companies

IV. Educational Development:

a. Arbor Day programb. prizes for Arbor Day contestsc. tree care conferences and workshopsd. public education materials -

brochures, newsletters, etc.

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STANDARD 4: An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation

Arbor Day must be celebrated with a signedproclamation.

EXAMPLE (Standard 4)

Proclamation

WHEREAS, In 1872 J. Sterling Mortonproposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculturethat a special day be set aside for the planting oftrees, andWHEREAS, trees can reduce the erosion of ourprecious top soil by wind and water, cut heatingand cooling costs, moderate the temperature,clean the air, release oxygen, and provide habitatfor wildlife, andWHEREAS, trees are a renewable resourcegiving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel forour fires, and countless other wood products,andWHEREAS, trees in our city increase propertyvalues, enhance the economic vitality ofbusiness areas, and beautify our community, andWHEREAS, trees, wherever they are planted,are a source of joy and spiritual renewal,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Doe, Mayor ofHometown, Kentucky, do hereby proclaim April5, 1999, as

ARBOR DAY

In the City of Hometown, and I urge all citizensto support our city's urban forestry program, andFURTHER, I urge all citizens to plant trees togladden the hearts and promote the well-beingof present and future generations.

DATED this 5th day of April, 1999

___________________Mayor

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Printed on recycled paperwith federal funds.

Department for Natural Resources

The Energy and Environment Cabinet does notdiscriminate on the basis of race, color, nationalorigin, sex, age, religion, or disability and provides,on request, reasonable accommodations includingauxiliary aids and services necessary to afford anindividual with a disability an equal opportunityto participate in all services, programs, andactivities. For more information, contact theDivision of Forestry at (502) 564-4496between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST. Hearing- andspeech-impaired persons can contact the agencyby using the Kentucky Relay Service, a toll-freetelecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).For voice to TDD, call 1-800-648-6057. ForTDD to voice, call 1-800-648-6056.

Energy and Environment Cabinet

Rev. 11/11