[Ord. 1982, 1/25/2016]
Trees in public places provide great environmental benefits
through cooling the air in summer, removing carbon dioxide, returning
oxygen to it, and providing wind breaks in winter. Trees also soften
streetscapes and urban landscapes, help suppress noise, and can mask
overhead utility lines. Trees also provide a haven for birds and small
animals. Therefore, this Part adopts the view that trees are a public
resource to be fostered, nurtured, and maintained, with due regard
for public safety and orderly procedures. It is the intent of this
Part to promote proper selection, planting, maintenance and preservation
of trees on designated publicly owned property and rights-of-way throughout
the Township.
[Ord. 1982, 1/25/2016]
The Harrison Township Public Works Department will maintain
trees on designated publicly owned property, including trimming and
watering on a regular as-needed basis. "Publicly owned property,"
for the purposes of this Part, consists of the following property:
1.
The lot on the northern end of the Freeport Road divided roadway
owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation [PennDOT lot
description], adjacent to the commercial property, Donut Connection.
2.
The lot on the southern end of the Freeport Road divided roadway
owned by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation [PennDOT lot description]
and across from the Township's War Memorial and Springhill Road.
3.
Such additional property as may be designated by resolution of the
Board of Commissioners for purposes of tree planting and maintenance.
[Ord. 1982, 1/25/2016]
The Harrison Township Public Works Department will cut down
diseased and dying trees on designated publicly owned property and,
with approval of the Board of Commissioners, replace them with new
trees from the Township's recommended list of trees.
[Ord. 1982, 1/25/2016]
No person shall carry out any of the following activities on
designated publicly owned property without prior approval from the
Harrison Township Public Works Department:
1.
Cut, break, prune limbs or trunks, climb with spikes, disturb or
prune the roots of, store construction materials or compact soil,
or otherwise injure or destroy trees in any public area or authorize
such actions. It shall not be considered a violation to trim limbs
or roots or perform other activities with prior written approval from
the Harrison Township Public Works Department.
2.
Cause or authorize a wire or other conductor charged with electricity
to come into contact with any tree on designated publicly owned property
in a manner that may injure or kill it, without written prior approval
from the Harrison Township Public Works Department.
3.
Cause or authorize on designated publicly owned property any oil,
gasoline, herbicide, paint, brine, hot water, steam or other gas,
liquid or solid substances deleterious to the tree to contact any
tree or to enter the soil about the base or root system of a tree
in any manner that may injure or kill it.
4.
Interfere, cause or authorize an interference with the Township or
any of its agents or employees while they are engaged in planting,
inspecting, maintaining or removing trees from designated publicly
owned property.
5.
Supervise or authorize construction, alterations, repairs or demolition
activities in the vicinity of any tree on designated publicly owned
property without first placing sufficient guards or protectors as
shall prevent injury or destruction of said tree arising out of such
activities. The placement of guards or protectors shall require written
prior approval from the Harrison Township Public Works Department.
6.
Place or maintain upon the ground any asphalt, cement, stone or other
material or substances in such manner as may obstruct or further obstruct
free access of air and water to the roots of any tree on designated
publicly owned property.
7.
Fasten any rope, wire, electric attachment, sign or other devices
to any tree on designated publicly owned property or to any guard
about such tree without written prior approval from the Harrison Township
Public Works Department.
8.
Plant, prune, fertilize, or apply fungicides, insecticides or other
chemical substances to any tree on any designated publicly owned property
without written prior approval from the Harrison Township Public Works
Department.
9.
Pile any building material or make any mortar or cement within six
feet of any tree on designated publicly owned property.
[Ord. 1982, 1/25/2016]
1.
Any person who causes injury to a living tree on designated publicly
owned property by cutting, debarking, breaking, by the use of herbicides,
use of a vehicle, or in any other manner wherein such damage or destruction
occurs shall be responsible to reimburse the Township for the following:
A.
The value of the tree or trees removed shall be determined by a certified
arborist selected by the Township using a valuation method approved
by the International Society of Arboriculture; and
B.
The labor cost for the repair or replacement of the tree(s) will
be either the cost of the Township subcontracting for the service
or the cost of Township personnel doing the work by the Public Works
Department.
2.
This Part may be enforced by the Township Code Enforcement Officer
or his or her authorized representatives.
3.
Any person who violates this Part shall be subject to a fine of up
to $1,000 per violation and, in default of payment of said fine and
costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day of
violation shall be considered a separate offense for which a fine
of up to $1,000 may be levied.
[Ord. 1982, 1/25/2016]
To ensure long-term planting success, street trees planted in
the right-of-way of any public street, lane, alley or highway within
the Township (typically in the area between the sidewalk and street
curb) by private property owners ideally should be trees locally sourced
and resistant to road salt and urban environmental conditions on the
following basis:
1.
If power equipment is to be used for digging holes to plant trees,
Pennsylvania law requires property owners to call Pennsylvania One
Call (811 in Pennsylvania or 800-242-1716 if out-of-state) to assure
personal safety by not disturbing underground utilities. It is recommended
that property owners call Pennsylvania One Call even if power equipment
is not to be used for safety precaution in the event there may be
utility lines near the surface in the planting area.
2.
Harrison Township maintains a list of street trees as recommended
by the statewide organization TreeVitalize and the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy. There are two separate groups of recommended trees, based
on whether or not there are overhead utility lines that would limit
the mature tree height, as well as a list of prohibited trees as developed
through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
See the Recommended Street Tree Guidelines available at no charge
in the Township office and on the Township website. It is recommended
that property owners review the recommended list of street trees prior
to purchase and planting.
3.
Property owners adjacent to street trees in the public right-of-way
are responsible for the care and maintenance of those trees. Recommendations
for care and protection of street trees are available at no charge
in the Township office and on the Township website.
