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• 1. Tree Planting,Maintenance,and Removal <br /> It is the public policy of the City of Elk River to maintain existing trees and to provide for and <br /> encourage the planting of new trees within Elk River to the greatest extent possible. <br /> A property owner not desiring the planting of a tree on City Land abutting his property must <br /> object thereto in writing at least three(3)days prior to the stated meeting of the Tree Advisory <br /> Committee and the objection of the property owner shall be honored by the said Tree Advisory <br /> Committee. <br /> The initial cost of all trees planted by the Tree Advisory Committee,the cost of planting same,the <br /> costs of posts and boxes or guards used for the protection of the same shall be a charge upon the <br /> real property in front of which such trees shall be planted as an improvement thereof. <br /> Private citizens desiring to plant trees(to be deemed to include shrubs and bushes)in the public <br /> right-of-way abutting their property shall comply with the terms and condition of the written <br /> policy,and such trees shall,once planted,be strictly subject to management by the City to include <br /> pruning and removal as necessary to protect the public health. <br /> Said Tree Advisory Committee shall be responsible for planting all new trees required by this <br /> ordinance, for maintaining their growth and survival,and for maintaining those trees used in <br /> accordance with Section above. <br /> It shall be the policy of the City of Elk River to replace trees on public property of public right-of- <br /> way that have died or that have been removed because of diseased or poor health. <br /> In the selection and spacing of trees,the City shall be guided by a street tree plan reviewed by the <br /> Tree Advisory Committee. <br /> 2. Official Tree List <br /> The Tree Advisory Committee develops and maintains a list of desirable trees for planting along <br /> streets in three size classes based on mature height: small,medium and large. <br /> Copies of the lists of desirable and undesirable trees shall be maintained at the Street Department <br /> and shall be made available to the public. <br /> The City Forester shall maintain an extensive list of recommended trees for planting in public <br /> areas.The purpose of this listing will be to maintain diversity in the total tree population. This list <br /> shall be available to residents of the city upon request to aid in the selection of trees for private <br /> and public properties. The list of recommended trees shall be updated periodically to reflect new <br /> developments or species that will affect the population of the community forest. <br /> 3. Prohibit Topping <br /> It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person,firm,or city department to top any street <br /> tree,park tree, or other tree on public property and it is strongly discouraged as a tree care practice <br /> on private trees. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes,or certain trees under utility <br /> wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from <br /> this ordinance at the determination of the Tree Advisory Committee. <br /> 4. Arboricultural Standards for Maintenance of Trees <br /> The City Forester shall have the authority to modify,amend, or extend,with the approval of the <br /> Tree Advisory Committee,the Forestry Policies and Specifications as any circumstances make it <br /> • advisable. <br /> This manual shall contain regulations and standards supplementing this Ordinance for establishing <br /> the evaluation and appraisal of trees and shrubs,and the planting,maintenance,and removal of <br /> 12 <br />