Arborist urges Owasso to adopt Tulsa-style 'dead-tree' complaint ordinance after tornado
Loading...
Summary
A local certified arborist told the council a complaint‑driven dead‑tree ordinance modeled on Tulsa's code could reduce hazards and allow the city to require removals and recover costs when homeowners fail to act.
Todd Rickert, owner of Rickert Landscaping and a certified International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) arborist, asked the council during the public‑comment portion to consider a city ordinance addressing dead or hazardous trees.
Rickert said Tulsa’s complaint‑based process provides a useful model: an inspector evaluates a reported tree, determines whether it is dead, diseased or a likely hazard to neighboring property, and—if the finding is substantiated—issues a 10‑day notice to abate the hazard. If the property owner fails to comply, the city may abate the hazard and seek to recover costs. Rickert described the request as motivated by liability concerns and by damage and heightened awareness following a recent tornado that damaged trees in parts of the city.
Rickert said some trees damaged in the tornado will recover with pruning while others were “mangled beyond repair” and could become future hazards. He told the council an ordinance could give residents a clear process for reporting hazardous trees and give city staff authority to require abatement when warranted. He also said the city could recover abatement costs through assessments if owners do not comply.
Council members did not take formal action on the request at the meeting; Rickert said he had hoped to meet with Councilor Julie Lombardi before the meeting but had not had the chance. The item was presented as a citizen request with no ordinance draft or staff recommendation at the time of the comment.
Ending: The council did not vote on an ordinance; staff or council members may ask for follow‑up from code enforcement or the city attorney before placing any proposal on a future agenda.
