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Maplewood expands private tree relief program to include hazardous trees and commercial properties
Summary
Council approved updates to the private tree relief program to expand eligibility beyond Emerald Ash Borer impacts to diseased or hazardous trees on residential and commercial properties, retaining a $3,000 per-property assessment repaid over five years; repayments will be reinvested into the program.
The Maplewood City Council voted July 14 to expand its private tree relief program, moving beyond the prior Emerald Ash Borer pilot to provide a broader tool for property owners and code enforcement.
Parks staff said the original 2024 program set aside $150,000 and provided up to $3,000 per property with a five-year assessment option; 59 property owners applied and 23 participated. The updated policy keeps the $3,000 per-property cap and five-year assessment structure (interest set at 2% above the most recent bond issuance) but opens eligibility to both residential and commercial properties for diseased or hazardous trees and permits replanting and disposal work (trunk grinding, removal, restoration). Program repayments and interest will be reinvested into the program to fund additional property owners.
Councilmember comments praised the expanded reach and staff assistance; Councilmember Cave moved and Councilmember Juniman seconded the motion to approve the updated policy, and the motion carried by voice vote.
