Tree Ordinance Board

The Tree Ordinance Board is a five-member panel of residents established by the Town Tree Ordinance and appointed by the Mayor to hear requests by property owners wanting to cut down trees 24 inches in circumference or larger that are not certified by the town arborist as dead, dying, hazardous, or nuisance trees.

The current Board consists of the following residents:

  • David Strom (Chair)
  • Melanie Choukas-Bradley
  • Miriam Daniel
  • Penny Douglas
  • Chris Wright

The Board generally meets in the Town Hall.  Hearings are scheduled as needed.  Panel proceedings are relatively informal.  The applicant, who has previously filed a written request form, is given an opportunity to explain in person why he/she wants to remove the tree in question.  Residents have a chance to support or object to the request in person or in writing, and the panel makes a public decision to approve, deny, or approve with conditions.

Since the Tree Ordinance prohibits cutting down healthy, desirable trees that measure over 24 inches in circumference at four feet above the ground, the Board is, in essence, hearing an appeal from the requirements of the ordinance. When evaluating a request, the Board is required to consider eight specific factors listed in the Tree Ordinance in making its decision.

The Tree Ordinance Board, in collaboration with the Town Arborist, has developed a list of desirable canopy trees from which builders and homeowners are required to select when planting replacement trees as part of an appeal.  But this list can also be a guide for homeowners who have lost an aging tree that they want to replace.

Links to additional information and Board documents:
β€’ Tree Ordinance
β€’ Request form for Tree Removal Permit
β€’ Factors for Evaluating a Tree Removal Request (excerpt from ordinance)
β€’ List of Acceptable Replacement Trees
β€’ List of Undesirable/Nuisance Trees
β€’ Preserving the Canopy - Tree Regulation and Services  (Prepared by Environment Committee)

Number of Tree Removal Permit Applications by Fiscal Year
β€’ FY07 - 83
β€’ FY08 - 75
β€’ FY09 - 72
β€’ FY10 - 52
β€’ FY11 - 89
 
Board decisions and actions:
β€’ 3903 Leland Street – Leyland cypress:  approved
β€’ 7203 Oakridge Avenue – hickory: approved with replacement plan
β€’ 7620 Lynn Drive – black walnut:  approved with replacement
β€’ 7109 44th Street – Siberian elm:  approved with replacement plan
β€’ 4314 Willow Lane – American holly:  approved with replacement
β€’ 3909 Thornapple Street – white pines:  approved with conditions
β€’ 7011 Beechwood Drive – white oak: withdrawn by homeowner
β€’ 6810 Connecticut Avenue– 2 ash trees: withdrawn by homeowner
β€’ 4011 Bradley Lane - Norway Spruce Tree:  approved with replacement
β€’ 7209 Ridgewood Avenue - Pignut Hickory: approved with conditions
β€’ 4101 Stanford Street - Tulip Poplar: denied
β€’ 4409 Ridge Street - Cherry Tree: approved
β€’  4114 Rosemary Street - Holly Trees: approved with replacements
β€’ 7205 Ridgewood Avenue - American Beech: denied
β€’ 7416 Oak Lane – Black Walnut:  approved with replacement
β€’ 3915 Virgilia Street - 5 Crape Myrtle Trees: denied
β€’ 7200 44th Street - Cedar; approved with conditions
β€’ 7402 Meadow Lane - Hickory; Denied
β€’ 7414 Oak Lane - Tulip Poplar; withdrawn by homeowner
β€’ 6814 Meadow Lane - Tulip Poplar; approved with replacement
β€’ 7624 Lynn Drive - Tulip Poplar; approved with replacements
β€’ 4509 Leland Street - Spruce; approved with replacements
β€’ 7206 Meadow Lane - 4 trees, approved with replacements