Existing trees, shrubs and plants shall be retained wherever feasible in subdivisions or land developments. Additional trees and new plant material shall be added for privacy, shade and appearance. Areas meeting the definition of "woodlands" and large trees standing alone with a diameter of 16 inches or more shall be preserved. During construction, the tree protection area, as defined in Article
III of this chapter, shall be protected in the following manner:
A. Protection from mechanical injury. Prior to construction, the tree
protection area shall be delineated by the following methods:
(1) The tree protection area that is delineated on the site prior to
construction shall conform to the approved development plans.
(2) All trees scheduled to remain shall be marked; where groups of trees
exist, only the trees on the edge need to be marked.
(3) A forty-eight-inch-high snow fence or other suitable fence, mounted
on steel posts located eight feet on center, shall be placed along
the boundary of the tree protection area, which shall be maintained
until all work and construction has been completed. Any damages to
the protective fencing shall be replaced and repaired before further
construction shall begin.
(4) Trees being removed shall not be felled, pushed or pulled into a
tree protection area or into trees that are to be retained.
(5) Grade changes and excavations shall not encroach upon the tree protection
area.
(6) No toxic materials shall be stored within 100 feet of a tree protection
area, including petroleum-based or -derived products.
(7) The area within the tree protection area shall not be built upon
nor shall any materials be stored there either temporarily or permanently.
Vehicles and equipment shall not be parked in the tree protection
area.
(8) When tree stumps are located within 10 feet of the tree protection
area, the stumps shall be removed by means of a stump grinder to minimize
the effect on surrounding root systems.
(9) Following any severance of roots, all tree roots that have been exposed
or damaged shall be trimmed cleanly and covered temporarily with moist
peat moss, burlap or other biodegradable material to keep them from
drying out until permanent cover can be installed.
(10)
Sediment, retention and detention basins shall not be located
in or discharge into the tree protection area.
(11)
Trees shall not be used for roping, cables, signs or fencing.
Nails and spikes shall not be driven into trees.
B. Protection from grade change.
(1) When the original grade cannot be retained at the tree protection
area line, a retaining wall shall be constructed outside the tree
protection area.
(a)
The top of the wall shall be four inches above the finished
grade level.
(b)
The wall shall be constructed of large stones, brick, building
tile, concrete blocks or treated wood beams not less than six inches
by six inches. A means for drainage through the wall shall be provided
so water will not accumulate on either side of the wall.
(c)
Any severed roots as a result of excavation shall be trimmed
so that their edges are smooth and are cut back to a lateral root
if exposed.
C. Trees damaged during construction. Tree trunks and exposed roots
damaged during construction shall be protected from further damage.
Damaged branches shall be pruned according to National Arborist Association standards.