11-16-2017 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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quality tree inventory. For community trees that are not listed in a tree inventory, this information can most readily be obtained through a ground survey. Accurately determining tree age may not be possible, but for the purposes of evaluation, it will usually suffice to group trees into broad age classes. 4. Promote conservation of tree resources. The benefits derived from the urban forest generally increase as tree size and canopy cover increase. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the community to protect its existing tree resources from loss or depletion. It is not possible to indefinitely preserve individual trees, since each tree will eventually die. However, it is possible to preserve both the urban forest and natural woodlands by restricting the indiscriminate removal of trees in all age classes, and by making provisions for natural or human -assisted regeneration. This embodies the concept of conservation. ®rdinance provisions Many jurisdictions have attempted to address this goal with provisions that require approval to remove certain classes of trees under certain conditions. Unfortunately, in focusing solely on the "preservation" of individual trees, conservation of tree and forest resources is often overlooked. For instance, some ordinances have focused on protection during new construction, but make no provisions to ensure that trees will receive proper care or be retained after construction is completed. In areas with native tree resources, ordinance provisions chat address this goal should conserve stands of trees rather than only individual tree specimens. They should prevent depletion of the tree canopy over both short- term and long-term time horizons. Finally, they should set basic performance standards for the amount of tree canopy to be retained or achieved. Provisions related to the development of a master plan, and those regulating tree planting, protection, and removal are most directly related to this goal. Conservation of tree resources alone may not be sufficient to address situations that requtre a more comprehensive resource management perspective. When jurisdictions seek to conserve fund onal forest and woodland ecosystems, such as in wildland parks or open spaces, the scope of management may need to be expanded. Other components of the plant community, wildlife, natural processes such as fire and flooding, and human land uses may also need to be considered. Specific provisions: o Designate adminishative resuonsibitities o Develop a comprehensive management plan o Resolution of conflicts between trees and structures o Planting requirements o Permit required for activities that may damage city owned trees o Permit required for activities that may damage protected private trees o Conservation of forest and woodland resources during development If the approach used to attain [his goal involves tree protection or "preservation", it will be necessuy to have