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Committee reviews on-site tree grading approach from Utah State Extension for sycamores, sidewalks
Summary
Members described a more detailed, on-site grading system developed with the Utah State University Extension to decide whether large sycamores must be removed for sidewalk conflicts, moving away from a simple trunk-width rule.
Committee members said a recent site walk and consultation with the Utah State University Extension (forestry extension) produced a more granular method to assess whether large trees near sidewalks are hazards and should be removed.
"They did meet with one of the members of the Utah State Extension, the Forestry Extension, and he helped ... come up with an evaluation and grading for each tree to be determined," the Chair said, describing the goal of making on-site determinations (leaning, root impacts, hazard potential) rather than applying a single trunk-to-park-strip ratio. The Chair said the new method aims to reduce unnecessary removals by evaluating risks case-by-case.
Members noted the approach is still early and not finalized; staff emphasized the city is working with legal counsel and engineering to adopt standards in a way that can be updated by reference rather than rewriting large portions of code. The committee asked staff to follow up as the inspection form and guidance are refined.
