Tree board recommends homeowner replace city hedges or fund replacements to access willow

The Harbor Springs Tree Board voted to recommend that a homeowner who asks to remove hedges on or adjacent to city property to reach a willow on private land must replace any city trees removed or provide equivalent funds to the city tree fund.

The recommendation, moved as formal wording by Carol Winnard, says the homeowner must “remove the trees that are on city property in order to access the willow tree that he wants to remove on his personal property” and that the “homeowner would be responsible for replacing all of the trees that were removed…with trees that are acceptable to the city and Tree Board,” or alternatively deposit an equivalent amount into the city tree fund. The board adopted the recommendation by voice vote.

Why it matters: the request — brought to the board by a resident identified in the record as Mr. Sears — raised trade-offs between private property views and the city’s interest in protecting its street- and park-tree canopy. Board members said the proposal could set a precedent if council did not require replacement or equivalent funding.

Board members said some of the hedges along the city right-of-way appear dead or in poor condition, and that removal to access the willow could improve sight lines. At the same time, members repeatedly emphasized they did not want the city effectively to subsidize a view improvement paid for by a private homeowner without receiving tree replacements or funds in return.

What the board asked next: the Tree Board will forward its recommendation to city council for consideration; members suggested drafting clear, written conditions or an agreement to ensure removed trees are replaced or funds are secured before any city-managed removal occurs.

The board’s recommendation does not itself authorize any removals; council review and any permitting would be required before work could proceed.