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City's new urban forester presents tree inventory; council debates stronger tree-commission rules
Summary
The city's urban forester reviewed a street-tree inventory showing heavy red-maple concentration and proposed a standard replacement-tree program integrated with the sidewalk permit process; council discussed a draft ordinance to create a separate Tree Advisory Commission, add hazardous-tree definitions and a permit process for right-of-way trees.
Bryce Zimmerman, Green's urban forester, presented the city's street-tree inventory during the Environment & Parks Committee on Nov. 10, describing species, health and management priorities.
Zimmerman said the street-tree database was built with Davy TreeKeeper and that red maple currently accounts for a large share of street trees. "Urban forestry runs on the ten-twenty-thirty rule: you don't want more than 10% of a species, 20% of a genus, or 30% of a family," he said, adding that the city's red-maple concentration (reported at about 74% of street trees in the inventory) poses a risk if a species-specific pest or pathogen arrives.
He walked council through a proposed replacement and replanting option tied to the city's sidewalk-permit process: residents could opt in to have the city source an approved tree from vetted nurseries and either pay the city to install it or buy the tree and install under city inspection. "The idea is to let the residents opt in through a fee when they file their permit to have us purchase the tree from a reputable nursery and then a city contractor to plant the tree, so that we have a standard across the city," Zimmerman said.
The committee then debated an ordinance (2025-14) to revise the city's tree code and create a standalone Tree Advisory Commission. Administration proposed several clarifications: adding a definition for "hazardous tree," clarifying the distinction between public right-of-way trees and private-yard trees, setting a minimum clearance standard (12 feet above road surface), and specifying that the commission would be advisory and meet at least quarterly.
Council members discussed appointment authority for the new commission; several councilors signaled support for one council-appointed seat alongside mayoral appointments. Members also asked administration to soften language that could be read to prohibit routine owner pruning of trees that overhang the right-of-way. Legal staff advised further edits to clarify the difference between improperly mutilating a tree and normal maintenance.
What's next: The ordinance is on second reading and will be revised to reflect the committee's direction; the administration indicated it is close to finalizing a turnkey tree-replacement program to present to council.
