Prior to construction, the contractor or subcontractor shall construct and maintain, for each protected tree on a construction site, a protective fence and where necessary, bark protection (See Diagram A). All protective measures shall be in place prior to commencement of any site work and remain in place until all exterior work has been completed.
During any construction or land development, the developer shall clearly mark all trees to be maintained. The developer shall not allow the movement of heavy equipment or the storage of equipment, materials, debris, or fill to be placed within the drip line of any trees. This is not intended to prohibit the normal construction required within parking lots. All protected tree(s) shall be protected by the owner as follows, unless otherwise directed by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee:
A. Before development or redevelopment, the owner shall install a minimum three foot tall protective barricade made of wood, fencing or solid material. These barricades will be installed a minimum of ten feet from protected trees or a minimum of two feet outside the designated protective root zone, whichever is the greater distance.
B. Vertical posts no less than three feet in height and no more than six feet apart. Horizontal members consisting of wood no less than three feet above existing grade and securely attached to the vertical posts.
C. Before development or redevelopment, the owner shall establish and maintain a construction entrance that avoids protected trees.
D. During the construction stage of development, the developer shall not allow cleaning of equipment or material under the canopy of any tree or group of trees to remain, nor shall the developer allow the disposal of any waste material such as, but not limited to, paint, oil, solvents, asphalt, concrete, mortar, etc., under the canopy of any tree or groups of trees to remain. No attachment or wires of any kind, other than those of a protective nature, shall be attached to any tree.
E. No parking or storing of vehicles, equipment or materials allowed within the protective root zone.
F. Attachments or wires are prohibited from being attached to any protected tree. Cables, tree rods, and similar hardware installation that aid structural integrity of a protected tree are exempt from this division as approved in writing by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee.
G. Fill or excavation may not occur within the canopy or drip line of a protected tree. Major changes of grade (i.e., three inches or greater) within the canopy or drip line will require additional measures to maintain proper oxygen and water exchange with the roots.
H. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the town, construction or construction-related activity is prohibited under the canopy or drip line of protected trees.
I. Any trees removed shall be chipped and used for mulch on site or hauled off-site. Burning of removed trees, stumps, or foliage requires written approval by the Fire Department.
J. Root pruning will be required when disturbance will occur under the drip line of protected trees. This root pruning shall be completed a minimum of two weeks prior to any construction activity within the drip line.
K. All tree maintenance techniques shall be in conformance with industry identified standards. Alternative maintenance techniques may be approved by the town.
L. No person(s) or entity may use improper or malicious maintenance or pruning techniques which would likely lead to the death of the tree. Improper or malicious techniques include, but are not limited to, topping or other unsymmetrical trimming of trees, trimming trees with a backhoe, or use of fire or poison to cause the death of a tree.
