10.1 SR 04-15-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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parks will be evaluated for their potential to cause damage to public or private infrastructure. If a tree in these areas is identified as a potential hazard to a target it will be removed; trees without potential targets will be left untreated to provide wildlife habitat and to be recycled into the soil. Removal of ash trees will be conducted in three phases; removal of tree, stump grinding, and restoration. During removal, staff will work through a neighborhood felling ash trees, loading brush and logs and transporting materials to the city compost site. This activity may require temporary traffic control and/or road closures to allow staff a safe work zone until the tree is felled and all material is removed. Stump grinding will be conducted by staff as time permits and may be done at any time during the year. Restoration will consist of black dirt and seed appropriate to the conditions. In areas where private landscaping, pet fences and irrigation systems are within the public right-of-way, staff will work to minimize impact to the landscaping during the removal and stump grinding process. The city is not responsible for damage to private landscaping within the right-of-way and it is the homeowner's responsibility to restore any disturbed landscaping because of ash tree removal. Tree Replacement Due to the volume of public trees anticipated to be removed as a result of EAB, the city must focus its efforts on tree replacements in areas of greatest need. Trees on city campuses and public parks will be the priority for replacement to ensure aesthetics of public facilities and provide shade to the public. Tree replacement along public rights -of -way may be conducted as time and resources permit. Establishment of trees in public rights -of -way will be the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. The city will not conduct tree replacements in city outlots, stormwater ponds, or natural areas. These areas will be allowed too naturally regenerate. Replacement trees will consist of 1-1.5-inch diameter bareroot trees consisting of a variety of species to establish a more diverse canopy able to resist any future disease and insect pests. Tree species include hybrid American elm (sp.), white oak (sp.), maple (sp.) hackberry, Kentucky Coffee, American linden (sp.), river birch, honey locust, Ohio buckeye, ginkgo, black cherry, black walnut, butternut, northern catalpa, northern redbud, shagbark hickory, and bitternut hickory. These tree species meet current and projected frost hardiness zones for central Minnesota according to the University of Minnesota, Forest Resources Department. Private Trees The City of Elk River does not intend to treat or remove ash trees located wholly within private property, removal of these trees is the responsibility of the property owner. The city may inspect and conduct abatement of any nuisance trees in accordance with Chapter 46 Section 46-34 of the city ordinance. Nuisance trees on private property are further defined in Chapter 82, Article II, Section 82-30 through 82-40 of the ordinance. O Page 183 of 201