[Amended 6-21-2012; 9-17-2015]
The intent of this article to place priority on the preservation of trees, vegetation and associated natural resources in recognition of the value they provide the Township in terms of physical, aesthetic, recreation and economic assets to residents, visitors and businesses.
A. 
The standards contained herein shall apply to all parcels requiring site plan review, special land use review, administrative review, subdivision plat review, plot plan review or land divisions/reconfigurations.
B. 
For legal lots of record which are not located within a new development, trees located within 10 feet of the building footprint and a fifteen-foot-wide driveway area are exempt from the requirements of this article. Replacement of all other trees shall be in accordance with the requirements contained herein.
C. 
Issuance of a grading permit shall prohibit clearing or grading within 50 feet of a property line prior to site plan or administrative approval.
Health condition of trees shall be determined by a forester or other qualified professional, utilizing the criteria contained in the table below. Any tree with a score of 16 or greater is regulated by this article.
Scoring
Factor
5 or 4
3 or 2
1
Trunk
Sound or solid
Sections of bark missing
Extensive damage or hollow
Growth rate
More than 6" twig elongation
2" to 6" twig elongation
Less than 2" twig elongation
Structure
Sound
1 major or several minor limbs dead
2 or more major limbs dead
Insects/disease
No pest present
1 pest disease present
2 or more pests present
Crown/development
Full and balanced
Balanced but not full
Unbalanced and without full crown
Life expectancy
Over 30 years
15 to 10 years
Less than 5 years
A. 
Tree tagging is only required for portions of the site where development is proposed and where the development area is supported by clearly defined clearing limits. Trees with driplines that extend into the area to be developed shall be included in the tree survey, even if the trunk of the tree is not in an area that will be disturbed.
B. 
Trees eight inches DBH or greater must be identified.
C. 
Tree locations must be provided on a topographic survey, and the base elevation of all trees proposed for preservation shall be identified.
D. 
The tree survey shall clearly identify which trees will be preserved, removed or transplanted.
E. 
Trees must be identified in a tabular format by tree tag number, size, common name, genus, condition and classification. Classifications include: regulated, nonregulated, landmark, or exempt, as regulated by this article.
F. 
Tree replacement calculations shall indicate the total caliper inches of regulated and landmark trees being removed, as well as any trees being considered for exemption. The total number of replacement trees and caliper inches shall be provided in written form and graphically illustrated on the tree survey.
G. 
Tree identification tags shall consist of 19-gauge aluminum or similar corrosion-resistant material. Tags shall be a minimum of 1 1/2 inches in diameter and be permanently stamped or engraved with a number that corresponds to a number designation defined on the tree survey. Numbers shall be a minimum of 1/2 inch high. Tags shall be attached to trees by way of galvanized roofing nail or other similar method.
H. 
The tree survey must be prepared and certified by a registered forester, or other individual possessing related qualifications, with the assistance of a land surveyor or registered engineer. If there are discrepancies in the tree survey information or if the applicant requests that a landmark or protected tree be exempted due to its health/condition, the Township reserves the right to review the situation or engage the services of an independent reviewer.
A. 
"Protected trees" are defined as all trees eight inches DBH or greater, provided they are not classified as landmark trees.
B. 
Landmark trees are defined by size and species, as listed in the chart below:.
Common Name
Botanical Name
DBH
All trees
--
24"
American hornbeam
Ostrya Virginiana
8"
Arborvitae
Thyja
18"
Beech (American)
Fagur grandifolia
18"
Beech (blue)
Carpinus Caroliniana
8"
Birch
Betula
18"
Black walnut
Juglans nigra
20"
Cedar (red)
Juniperus Virginiana
12"
Chestnut
Castanea
10"
Crabapple/hawthorne
Malus/crataegus
12"
Dogwood (flowering)
Cornus Florida
8"
Fir
Abies
18"
Ginkgo
Ginkgo
18"
Hemlock
Tsuga
18"
Hickory
Carya
18"
Kentucky coffee tree
Gymnocladus dioicus
18"
Larch/tamarack
Larix
12"
London plane/sycamore
Platanus
18"
Maple
Acer
18"
Oak
Ouercus
18"
Pine
Pinus
18"
Redbud
Cercis canadensis
8"
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
15"
Serviceberry
Amelanchier
8"
Spruce
Picea
18"
Sweet gum
Liquidamber styraciflua
16"
Tulip poplar
Liriodendrom tulipifera
18"
Wild cherry
Prunus
18"
Witch hazel
Hamamelis Virginiana
8"
C. 
Landmark trees must be replaced at a rate of 100% of the total DBH removed.
D. 
Protected trees must be replaced at a rate of 50% of the total DBH removed.
E. 
Replacement trees shall be at least 2 1/2 caliper inches for deciduous trees and seven feet in height for evergreens. Replacement for evergreens shall be equivalent to one inch equals 2.8 feet in height. Consideration may be given to allow smaller trees if they are part of a replacement plan that specifies a mixture of sizes and is intended to simulate as natural woodland habitat.
F. 
Deciduous trees shall be replaced with deciduous trees, and evergreen trees shall be replaced with evergreen trees. Where all of the trees being removed are entirely deciduous or evergreen, the Planning Commission may approve substituting up to 10% evergreen for deciduous or deciduous for evergreen. Alternatives may be based on site-specific conditions.
G. 
The proposed location of transplanted trees and required woodland replacement trees must be provided on the landscape plan. Transplanted and replacement trees shall be clearly distinguished from landscape elements required per Article 24, Landscape Standards.
H. 
All replacement trees shall satisfy American Association of Nurserymen standards, including:
(1) 
Nursery-grown.
(2) 
State Department of Agriculture inspected.
(3) 
Tree spade transplanted while in the dormant state, or if not in the dormant state, having been balled and burlapped with a solid well-laced root ball when in the dormant state.
(4) 
No. 1 grade, with straight unscarred trunk and a well-developed uniform crown. Park-grade trees are not acceptable.
(5) 
Staked, fertilized, watered and mulched in accordance with standard planting practices.
I. 
Where it is not reasonable and desirable to relocate or replace trees on site, relocation or replacement may be made at another approved location within the Township.
J. 
Where the Planning Commission finds it is not reasonable, practical and desirable to relocate or replace trees on site or at another approved location within the Township, the Planning Commission may direct the applicant to pay into the Township's Woodlands Trust Fund.
The following trees may be considered for exemption, provided they are not landmark trees, they do not comprise the predominant species on site or within a vegetated area, and they do not contribute to the overall vigor of the woodland or have significant value for watershed or erosion control. Singular trees in good condition are not exempt.
Ash
Black locust
Box elder
Catalpa
Cottonwood
Elm
Mulberry
Poplar
Silver maple
Tree of heaven
Willow
A. 
The preservation of wooded areas, individual trees, woody vegetation and related natural resources shall have priority over development when there are other on-site location/design alternatives. The Planning Commission may impose conditions on the method and extent of the proposed activity/use as necessary to ensure it will be conducted in a manner that will minimize damage, encroachment or interference with regulated trees.
B. 
Because natural systems do not occur in isolation, the location of regulated trees with respect to topography, water features and other significant natural features shall be viewed as having a high priority in terms of preservation value.
C. 
The removal of regulated trees and wooded areas shall be limited to the following:
(1) 
When necessary for the location of a structure or site improvement, when a feasible and prudent alternative location does not exist.
(2) 
The tree is dead, diseased, injured or in danger of falling too close to existing or proposed structures, interferes with existing utility service, interferes with safe vision clearances or conflicts with other ordinances or regulations.
(3) 
When a landmark tree does not meet the health/condition standards contained herein.
D. 
The integrity of wooded areas shall be maintained even when such woodlands cross property lines.
E. 
Existing trees, wooded areas and understory vegetation shall be preserved within the required landscape greenbelt or buffers, unless removal is approved by the Planning Commission. Preserved vegetation may be credited toward landscape requirements contained in Article 24, Landscape Standards.
F. 
When a designated wooded area abuts a corridor identified as a natural beauty road, as authorized by Wayne County, existing vegetation shall be maintained for an average width of 100 feet, and a minimum of 50 feet, beyond the future right-of-way.
G. 
The clearing limits and locations of tree protection barriers shall be clearly identified on a plan.
A. 
Transplanted trees may be counted toward replacement trees, provided trees meet the minimum size and quality requirements of Article 24, Landscape Standards.
B. 
For deciduous trees over 10 caliper inches and evergreens greater than 30 feet tall, a statement regarding the method of transplanting shall be included, and the work shall be performed by a qualified individual.
C. 
A Township representative shall review the trees prior to commencing transplanting. The trees shall be reviewed again at their final location to ensure the transplanting operation has been successfully completed.
A. 
Before development, land clearing, filling or land alteration, a tree protection fence must be installed at the approved clearing limits, and tree protection measures shall be inspected by the Township.
B. 
Protective fencing shall be located 10 feet outside the tree dripline.
C. 
Posts for fencing shall be staked at least two feet into the ground, with posts spaced a maximum of 10 feet on center.
D. 
Tree protection shall remain in its approved location until removal is authorized or directed by the Township.
Trees within preservation areas are subject to replacement when damaged or removed during construction. Trees shall be replaced at a rate of 1 1/2 inches' caliper for each one inch DBH removed or damaged.