The City of Springfield finds that mature trees provide benefits
to its residents, businesses, and visitors, including improved air
quality, aesthetics, flood and drainage control, soil stabilization,
increased energy efficiency, reduced ambient temperature, wildlife
habitat, contribution to the distinct character of neighborhoods,
and enhanced property values. Therefore, the City determines that
the preservation and protection of publicly owned trees and certain
trees on private property are public purposes that protect public
health, enhance environmental quality, mitigate climate change, and
improve overall quality of life and welfare.
When used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
CALIPER
Diameter of a tree trunk (in inches). For trees up to four
inches in diameter, caliper is measured six inches above the existing
grade at the base of the tree. For trees larger than four inches in
diameter, caliper is measured 12 inches above the existing grade at
the base of the tree.
CLIMATE MITIGATION
Refers to actions limiting the magnitude and rate of future
climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or advancing
nature-based solutions.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE (CRZ)
Area of soil around a tree trunk where roots are located
that provide stability and uptake of water and minerals required for
tree survival.
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)
The standard measure of tree size for those trees that are
at least four inches in diameter at a height of 4.5 feet from the
existing grade at the base of the tree. If a tree splits into multiple
trunks below 4.5 feet above the existing grade, the DBH shall be considered
to be the measurement taken at the narrowest point beneath the split.
DRIPLINE
Area of ground located under a tree bounded by the extent
of the branches.
PERSON
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company, or organization of any kind including public utilities.
PRUNE
Remove branches or roots from a tree or other plant.
SETBACK TREE
Any tree planted on adjoining property as described in MGL
c. 87, § 7.
SIGNIFICANT TREE
Any tree which is 75 years old or older, or which has a DBH
of three feet or more on public or private property.
TREE BELT
Area within the street or roadway right-of-way suitable for
growing trees.
TREE PROTECTION ZONE
An area to be defined or approved for each individual tree
by the City Forester surrounding the trunk of the tree intended to
protect branches, roots, and soil, and to ensure the future tree health
and stability.
TREE REMOVAL
Any act that causes a tree to die or will cause a tree to
die within a three-year period as determined in the reasonable opinion
of the City Forester. The word "remove" and variations thereof, when
used in this chapter, shall refer to "tree removal."
TREE VALUATION
The value of any tree per §
368-8, Violations and penalties, shall be calculated using the Reproduction Method Truck Formula Technique.
The terms and provisions of this chapter shall apply to any proposed activity affecting a public shade tree or significant tree as defined by §
368-2, an activity affecting a City-owned tree, any activity on City property, and any activity that requires the issuance of a street occupancy permit. No street occupancy permit shall be issued by the City without it being determined that the proposed activity is in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
There is hereby established a City of Springfield Tree Replacement
Revolving Fund which shall be held by the City Treasurer in an account
administered by the Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation
Management, Forestry Division, in accordance with applicable provisions
of the General Laws. Any fines, fees or other payments collected pursuant
to this chapter shall be deposited in said Tree Replacement Fund and
shall be used solely for the purpose of buying, planting, and maintaining
trees in the City, and administering the provisions of MGL c. 87.
A tree located on private property that has a defect that renders
it, in whole or in part, unsafe or inconvenient for ordinary travel
within the public way, as determined by the City Forester, shall be
made safe for such use by the owner of such tree within a reasonable
time period as ordered by the City Forester. If ordered risk tree
mitigation is not performed within allotted time, the City Forester
shall order the work to be completed by a preapproved vendor of the
City of Springfield at the cost of the property owner.
If any section, paragraph, or part of this chapter is for any
reason declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court, every other
section, paragraph and part shall continue in full force and effect.