Trees improve air and water quality, reduce soil erosion, noise
and glare, provide habitat for desirable wildlife, moderate the climate
and enhance community image and property values. Therefore, the purpose
of these regulations is to encourage the protection of trees through
sound land use practices. Therefore, the goals of this chapter are
to:
A. Preserve, protect and maintain existing trees in Falls Township and
to increase the overall tree canopy and understory on both public
and private lands therein.
B. Ensure that all applications for earth disturbance permit, demolition
permit, building permit, subdivision, land development or zoning change
application shall respect existing trees as a natural resource. As
such, impervious areas shall be laid out in a manner so as to preserve
the healthy trees on the site whenever possible.
C. To preserve and protect all individual (and groups of) heritage trees
as defined herein.
D. To ensure that no trees are destroyed on any property scheduled for
development within five years prior to the submission of an application
for earth disturbance permit, demolition permit, building permit,
subdivision, land development or zoning change application.
E. To strictly prohibit any clear cutting of trees.
F. To preserve, protect and encourage the replacement of native species
with native species.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
APPLICANT
The property owner or his authorized representative; the
term includes "developer."
APPROVED PRESERVED TREE
Any tree that is inside the limit of disturbance and is to
be properly protected and not destroyed or injured during construction
as required by this chapter and as approved by the Shade Tree Commission.
BOUNDARY TREE
A tree on an adjacent property whose root protection zone
intrudes across the property line of the property under consideration.
CALIPER
A measure of nursery stock measured in diameter. For four-inch
diameter stock or smaller, the measure is taken at six inches above
the root ball. For stock above four inches, the measurement is taken
at 12 inches above the root ball.
CANOPY TREE
Large, shade trees with deciduous foliage (bare in winter)
generally reaching at least 40 feet in height at maturity.
CLEAR CUTTING
The indiscriminate and broad removal of trees, shrubs or
undergrowth with the intention of preparing real property for nonagricultural
development purposes. This definition shall not include the selective
removal of nonnative tree and shrub species when the soil is left
relatively undisturbed, the removal of dead or significantly diseased
trees and those trees which pose an imminent danger to the public
health, safety or welfare.
DBH (or dbh)
Diameter at breast height; a measure of trunk diameter in
inches, taken at 4 1/2 feet above the natural ground line. The
measured section of the tree should be free of branches and representative
of the typical age of the tree species. DBH measurement is applied
to existing trees (compared to caliper used for nursery stock).
DRIPLINE
The boundary created by the outermost branches of a tree.
EVERGREEN TREE
A woody plant capable of reaching a minimum mature height
of 20 feet with foliage persistent for more than one full year, resulting
in a year-round (evergreen) foliage screening capacity.
FLOWERING/ORNAMENTAL TREE
A deciduous tree, single or multistem, with a minimum height
of 15 feet. Single-stem variety must be a minimum of two-inch caliper.
Multistem must have no less than three stems with a minimum caliper
of 0.75 inch per stem.
HAZARD TREE
A tree with uncorrectable defects severe enough to pose present
danger to people or buildings under normal conditions, as determined
by the Township Shade Tree Commission.
HEDGEROW
A narrow linear vegetated area with a mix of woody trees
and shrubs formed along farm fields and pastures. Hedgerows may be
considered as a desirable visual characteristic of a rural landscape,
warranting preservation during the subdivision or land development
process.
HERITAGE TREE
A tree located on public or private property:
A.
Which is specifically identified and considered worthy of preservation
by the Township because of the species, size, rarity or historical
importance; or
B.
Having a dbh greater than 40 inches or an age greater than 75
years.
INVASIVE SPECIES
Any plant that appears in the most recent invasive plants
list published by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources (DCNR).
LIMIT OF DISTURBANCE
Boundary line to be shown on a plan delineating the area
outside of which no activity of any sort relating to transplanting,
demolition, grading, construction, drainage, storage or any other
project activities is permitted.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by
a plot or otherwise as permitted by law to be used, developed or built
upon as a unit and which is described and/or held in single and separate
ownership.
NATIVE PLANTS
A plant species indigenous to the Northeastern United States
that occurs naturally in a particular region, state, ecosystem, and
habitat without direct or indirect human actions.
PLUG
Small plant grown in a tray with its own separate cell of
compost to minimize disturbance.
PROPERTY OWNER
Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a
legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official
records of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Montgomery
or Falls Township as holding title to the property; or otherwise having
control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any
such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such
person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
REMOVED TREE
Any tree that is destroyed, injured or otherwise not protected
according to the provisions of this chapter.
REPLACEMENT TREE
A tree required to be planted per this chapter to compensate
for the removal or damage of existing trees on a site.
ROOT PROTECTION ZONE
The area within a tree's temporary protection fencing which
is to be maintained throughout the entire period of any construction.
The protective fencing shall be placed at a distance calculated at
1.25 feet (radius) per each one inch of (DBH) diameter breast height
or to the outer edge of the dripline, whichever is greater.
SEEDED MEADOW
Area that contains native and/or nonnative annual and perennial
plants, including a mix of grasses and herbaceous flowering plants
that match the growing conditions of the site.
SHADE TREE
A woody plant or a portion thereof that has a minimum three-inch
caliper, is 14 feet or more in height, has eight feet minimum spread
with clear trunk to seven feet, and has full branching structure within
an ultimate right-of-way in Falls Township.
SHRUB
A woody plant, usually with multiple stems, each of which
has a DBH of less than three inches with a minimum height of 24 inches.
TREE
Any hard-wooded perennial plant, whether evergreen or deciduous,
or a species which normally reaches a height of eight feet or more
at maturity.
TREE SURVEY PLAN
Plan identifying the size, species and location of all existing
trees having a diameter at breast height (DBH) of six inches or greater
and denoting each tree to be saved, removed or planted with the location
of the tree protection fences and the proposed schedule of replacement
trees.