ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Exhibit 1 Approved Street Trees
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
The purpose of this Part is to establish a desirable amount of tree cover on public lands within the Township; maintain Township trees in a healthy and nonhazardous condition through good arboricultural practices; establish and maintain appropriate diversity in tree species and age classes to provide a stable and sustainable suburban forest; promote conservation of tree resources; and select, situate and maintain street trees appropriately to minimize hazard, nuisance, landscape damage and maintenance costs.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
1. 
The following words and phrases are used in this Part:
CARTWAY
The portion of a street or alley which is improved, designated or intended for vehicular use.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Any officer of the Township who is authorized by the Board of Commissioners to enforce the Code of the Township.
PERMIT
Permission in writing as issued by the Shade Tree Commission to do specific work under this Part.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, company, organization or public utility.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (STREET OR HIGHWAY)
The entire width of every municipal way or right-of-way when any part is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
SHADE TREE COMMISSION or COMMISSION
The governing body that has jurisdiction over all street trees in Susquehanna Township.
SHADE TREE or TREE
Any planted tree located within the right-of-way of the public streets and highways of the Township, including the tree lawn.
TOWNSHIP
Susquehanna Township.
TREE LAWN
The area lying between the sidewalk and that portion of the street used for vehicular traffic.
2. 
In this Part, the singular shall include the plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
1. 
The Shade Tree Commission shall be composed of five members who shall be residents of the Township, who shall be appointed by the Township Board of Commissioners, and who shall serve without compensation. Shade Tree Commission terms shall be staggered so that one term expires every year. When a vacancy occurs on the Shade Tree Commission, a successor shall be appointed by the Township Board of Commissioners to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. On the expiration of the term of any Shade Tree Commissioner, a successor shall be appointed by the Township Board of Commissioners to serve a term of five years.
2. 
The Commission shall have exclusive custody and control of the shade trees in the Township. Susquehanna Township is authorized to plant, remove, maintain and protect shade trees along public streets and highways.
3. 
It is the duty of the Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners to determine the needs of the Township regarding shade trees on public streets. To assist the Board of Commissioners, the Shade Tree Commission should make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and conduct regular meetings.
4. 
The Commission may also perform shade tree inspections and notify residents when action is required. Citations with regard to shade tree violations shall be issued by the Township Building or Code Enforcement Officials and not by Shade Tree Commission members.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
1. 
It is the responsibility of the property owner to:
A. 
Maintain the health, appearance and safety of the shade trees in the tree lawn and within the public right-of-way. This includes pruning low-hanging and dead branches, removing dead trees, and planting appropriate replacement trees.
B. 
Maintain any trees, bushes, and other vegetation within the Township rights-of-way to allow for full visibility of signs.
C. 
Comply with notices received from the Township regarding tree care.
D. 
Comply with all conditions of permits issued by the Shade Tree Commission. This may include pruning, tree removal, stump grinding and/or tree replanting.
E. 
Receive all proper permits from the Shade Tree Commission prior to the modification or removal of any tree necessitated by the installation of solar panels.
2. 
If any property owner shall neglect or refuse to comply with trimming, removal, stump grinding, or replanting requirements, the Commission, through Township staff, may cause such trimming or maintenance to be done at the expense of the owner and the entire cost filed and collected by the Township Solicitor in the same manner as municipal claims are filed and collected.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
1. 
A permit is required to remove any shade tree in the tree lawn or located within the public right-of-way. The Commission has the authority to deny tree removal requests. Permits must be obtained by the homeowner or contractor before work begins.
2. 
A permit is required to plant any tree not on the approved tree list, which can be obtained from the Township website or at the Township office. A completed shade tree permit application for planting shall include the species to be planted and preferred planting location and will be reviewed by the Commission.
3. 
A permit is required to conduct any work around the roots of a shade tree that will interfere with or cause damage to the roots, including laying sidewalk or driveway within 10 feet of a shade tree.
4. 
Dead branches may be trimmed without a permit. Any branch, dead or alive, that is below the minimum height requirements in § 25-108 must be trimmed, and no permit is required. A permit is required to trim any living branch that is greater than one inch in diameter and that is above the heights listed in § 25-108.
5. 
Where a tree poses a danger to general safety and welfare, as determined by a Code Enforcement Officer, steps shall be taken to properly address such danger prior to the application and issuance of a permit. Property owners shall apply for a permit within five days of the completion of any emergency work.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
Shade tree permit applications are available from the Township website or at the Township office. The application must be completed in full and returned to the Township office. Applications received at least seven days prior to the monthly Shade Tree Commission meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting. The homeowner will be notified of the Commission's decision within five days of the meeting. If the application was approved, a permit will be issued and mailed to the homeowner or can be picked up at the Township office.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
All persons with standing may appeal a final decision of the Shade Tree Commission to the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals. All appeals shall be filed within 30 days of the issuance of a final decision and applications shall meet the standards and procedure of the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
1. 
All trimming and pruning of shade trees shall be done in a manner to ensure natural growth and a natural appearance. Care of mature trees requires a high level of skill. In most cases, homeowners will need to call upon professional assistance for the care of their trees. Pruning standards are available at the Township office.
2. 
A minimum clearance of tree branches must be maintained at 14 feet above street surface and eight feet above sidewalks. On smaller trees, the branches shall be kept trimmed to protect the public safety.
3. 
Dead branches over two inches in diameter must be removed.
4. 
Flush cuts are prohibited. A flush cut is a pruning technique too close to the trunk in which both branch and stem tissue are removed.
5. 
All pruning must use the undercut method to avoid tearing of the bark.
6. 
Final cuts must be made a minimal distance from the parent stem, outside the branch collar. No stubs should remain greater than one inch past the branch collar.
7. 
Tree topping is prohibited. Topping is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter which removes the normal canopy and disfigures the tree.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
1. 
No person shall damage, mutilate, kill or destroy any shade tree.
2. 
No person shall damage, injure, or in any manner interfere in any way with the main roots of any shade tree.
3. 
No person shall excavate any ditches, tunnels or trenches or lay any sidewalk or driveway within a radius of 10 feet of any shade tree without first obtaining a written permit from the Commission. In the event that street trees or their roots have been damaged due to negligence or poor root pruning practices, the contractor or property owner shall be subject to the penalties described in § 25-117.
4. 
Alternative methods shall be considered to prevent root cutting that may result in tree instability or decline, including:
A. 
Grind a raised sidewalk edge;
B. 
Ramp the walking surface of the roots of lifted slab with pliable paving;
C. 
Route the sidewalk around the tree roots; and
D. 
Install flexible paving or rubberized sections.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; as amended by Ord. 16-11, 9/22/2016]
After removal of a tree from the tree lawn or the public right-of-way, the remaining stump shall be removed to a point not less than 15 inches below the grade of the surrounding area.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
1. 
As a condition to any permit to remove any shade tree, the Township may require that the property owner plant, at his/her own expense, another tree in place of the one removed. Any replacement tree shall be planted within six months of the removal of the previous tree.
2. 
Replacement trees shall be measured at a point six inches above planting level. All trees shall be of 1 1/2 inches to two inches in diameter at this point.
3. 
Shade trees planted within the street right-of-way shall be located no less than 20 feet from any intersection of two streets. They shall not be located as to hinder or block operation of fire hydrants.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
In the event of a shade tree being damaged by a person, the Commission may make a charge for repairs to the tree, plus the devaluation of the tree, plus the cost of removal and replacement, against the person causing the damage or destruction to the tree.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
In the event any shade tree or trees are felled by storm or other accident, the tree shall be removed from the cartway by the Township without charge. Property owners shall be responsible for other removal or cleanup. Replacement of such trees will be required at the expense of the property owner.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
The Township shall have the right to require the removal of any dead or diseased tree on private property, or require the trimming of a tree on private property, if the dead tree or the low-hanging branches overhang or endanger the public right-of-way and constitute a hazard to life and/or property, in the opinion of the Shade Tree Commission, or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the Township. The Shade Tree Commission will notify the owners of such trees in writing.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008]
All tree maintenance contractors who trim, remove or otherwise maintain trees located within the Township rights-of-way shall possess general liability insurance coverage with a policy limit of not less than $500,000 for each occurrence. Contractors shall follow all rules and regulations of this Part.
[Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
1. 
To minimize conflicts with utilities and physical conditions, all trees planted within the tree lawn shall meet the following spacing requirements:
A. 
15 feet from fire hydrants.
B. 
20 feet from stop signs.
C. 
Five feet from water meters/vaults.
D. 
Five feet from gas meters/vaults.
E. 
10 feet from catch basins and inlets.
F. 
15 feet from telephone poles.
G. 
15 feet from streetlights.
H. 
Four feet from lot lines.
I. 
25 feet from intersections (measured at curb line intersect).
J. 
20 feet from alley entrances.
2. 
All newly planted trees shall be of a type that is found on Exhibit 1[1] of this Chapter unless otherwise approved or modified by the Shade Tree Commission.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Exhibit 1 is attached to this Chapter.
3. 
Trees in Land Development. All trees shall be planted in accordance with this Chapter, the Susquehanna Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and all other applicable regulations.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
The fees for all permits will be set by the Shade Tree Commission, subject to approval by the Board of Commissioners.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
Any person or persons, firm or corporation who violate any of the provisions of this Part shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600, plus the costs of prosecution. Each day during which the violation occurs or persists shall constitute a separate offense. The Shade Tree Commission, to the extent provided by ordinance of the Township, may assess penalties for the violation of its regulations and or this Part as far as it relates to shade trees. Any penalty so assessed shall be a lien upon the real estate of the offender and may be collected as municipal claims are collected.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
This Part shall be enforced by the Township Code Enforcement Officer.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
Payment of costs for work done by the Township shall be due and payable 30 days after proper invoice by the Township to the property owner. If the property owner does not make payment within 30 days, these costs shall be considered as an assessment to the property, and the Township Solicitor shall file a lien against the property to ensure payment as may be provided by law.
[Ord. 08-09, 3/13/2008; Ord. No. 24-06, 10/10/2024]
The Shade Tree Commission shall have the power in appropriate cases to permit deviations from strict compliance with this Part whenever, due to special circumstances, literal enforcement of this Part would be impossible, impractical, or not in the best interest of the Township.