To establish a set of workable specification standards for activities affecting our urban forest resources. By developing these standards and guidelines for working around public trees, the city will be able to assist responsible parties in maintaining this valuable resource, and to help those parties minimize public safety hazards presented by trees. City staff will work with others to achieve the purposes stated below, while making every effort to require responsible parties to maintain the integrity of our existing trees.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
To contribute to the livability of the Rainier community, and to enhance the appearance and overall attractiveness of Rainier for continued prosperity and growth.
"Public trees" are defined as those trees which are located within the public right-of-way or upon land under the jurisdiction of the city.
Trees in the city watershed are not covered by this chapter.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
A. 
Purpose. The city of Rainier has limited resources to assist property owners with the maintenance demands of trees planted within and extending into the public rights-of-way and other public properties.
1. 
When the city receives notice that a tree or part thereof constitutes or creates a hazardous condition to public safety or health, the city will require the adjacent property owner to effect a remedy approved by the city.
2. 
Hazards to public health or safety may include, but are not limited to, obstruction of traffic control devices and obstruction of illumination from street lights by limbs and foliage.
3. 
In the event the property owner fails to effect an approved remedy, the city may have the work done and charge the property owner to cover city costs.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
A. 
Maintenance Responsibilities. The maintenance responsibility of all trees and shrubs located within the public right-of-way between the property line and the curb, or where no curb exists, the street or alleyway, shall be the sole responsibility of the adjacent property owner. The maintenance responsibility for all trees and shrubs located on unimproved but platted streets shall also be the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Property owner responsibility shall extend from the property line to the center of the right-of-way of the platted street. The following requirements apply:
1. 
Inspect the tree for damaging insects, disease, defect or hazard yearly.
2. 
In the event of infestation by damaging insects which threaten tree health, or disease or evidence of defect or hazard, treat or repair the tree.
3. 
Trim or prune the tree so that no branch of the tree is less than 16 feet above any roadway or less than eight feet above any sidewalk or bicycle path along a roadway.
4. 
Except for trees which have been severely damaged by storms or other causes, or where trees are located under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical, as determined by the city, trees shall not be topped.
5. 
If appropriate, as documented by a National Arborist Association (NAA) or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, remove and dispose of the tree.
6. 
Except in cases where the planting strip between the roadway and the improved sidewalk is narrower than recommended for the health of a tree listed in Clatskanie Peoples Utility District selection of tree species, "Power Friendly," RMC § 8.40.100, or where otherwise excused by the director of public works, replace a tree that been removed or severely damaged with an approved variety and size of tree.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
A. 
The city shall receive the fair market value due the city, if any, of any tree removed or destroyed from within or upon any abutting right-of-way or other public lands owned or maintained by the city.
B. 
Any property owner desiring city assistance to remove or destroy any tree in or upon any abutting right-of-way or other public lands maintained by the city shall make application to the city. Such application must state the number and kind of tree to be removed or destroyed, the name of the permittee and contractor, if any, the time by which the proposed work is to be done and such other information as may be required by the city.
C. 
The council may establish, by resolution, inspection and permit fees as part of the tree removal process.
D. 
Tree maintenance and removal work shall be done in accordance with this city of Rainier tree planting and maintenance policy, the current tree maintenance standards (A-300) established by the NAA, the ISA Tree Pruning Guidelines, and those found in OAR Chapter 437, division 2, subdivision R, Ornamental Tree and Shrub Services, by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OR-OSHA). As indicated, copies of the NAA, ISA and OR-OSHA standards are available from the public works department.
E. 
Stumps from removed trees shall be removed from the right-of-way. Mechanical grinding or other methods as approved by the director of public works may be used to accomplish this task.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
All resource materials for pruning standards referenced in this section are available at the public works department upon request.
A. 
Purpose. To develop and preserve tree structure and health. These guidelines are presented as working guidelines, recognizing that trees are individually unique in structure, form and growth response, not only between, but also within, species and cultivars. Pruning activities should be chosen and/or modified depending upon the species, the landscape, intended function of the tree, the present age and condition of the tree, and the desired severity of pruning.
B. 
Standards.
1. 
All pruning work shall be done in accordance with the current tree maintenance standards (A-300, ISA Pruning Guidelines, and OAR Chapter 437, division 2, subdivision R, Ornamental Tree and Shrub Services).
2. 
All pruning activities affecting any tree within the right-of-way shall be done in accordance with city of Rainier code and policies.
3. 
Pruning cuts should be clean and smooth with the bark at the edge of the cut firmly attached to the remaining limb.
4. 
Large or heavy branches that cannot be thrown clear should be lowered by ropes to prevent injury to the tree or other property.
5. 
Climbing and pruning practices should not cause undue injury to the tree and therefore the use of spurs or gaffs is not allowed.
6. 
Spurs may only be used during storm work and to reach an injured climber.
7. 
Rope injury to thin-barked trees from loading out heavy limbs should be avoided by installing a block and tackle in the tree to carry the load.
8. 
All pruning work within 10 feet of an overhead energized conductor shall be referred to the appropriate utility and performed by line-clearance certified personnel.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
All resource materials for planting standards and plant material referenced in this section are available at the public works department upon request.
A. 
Purpose.
1. 
To help assure that quality planting materials receive an acceptable establishment in their new environment in order to minimize potential maintenance problems and safety related issues in the future.
2. 
To contribute to the livability of the Rainier community, and to enhance the appearance and overall attractiveness of Rainier for continued prosperity and growth.
3. 
To improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, reduce surface runoff, and to reduce surface and ground water contamination.
4. 
To continually strive to identify all suitable locations for tree planting throughout Rainier, as well as suitable trees for those sites, with an emphasis on species diversity.
B. 
Specifications.
1. 
Suitability of Planting Sites.
a. 
Planting shall be restricted to appropriate areas within the public right-of-way and to city owned and controlled property.
b. 
All planting shall meet the standards of RMC § 8.15.140, the Rainier zoning ordinances relating to street trees and greenways, and the city of Rainier transportation system plan.
2. 
Plant Materials.
a. 
Plant materials shall conform to the latest version of the American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1-1990). Plant materials shall be of standard quality or better, true to name and type of the species or cultivar.
b. 
Plants shall have normal, well-developed branches and root systems. They shall be healthy, vigorous plants free from decay, defects, sunscald injuries, abrasions of the bark, insect pests, and all forms of infestations or objectionable disfigurements.
c. 
Balled and burlapped plants shall have solid balls of size at least meeting the American standard, the balls securely wrapped with burlap or canvas, tightly bound with rope or twine. Wrapping with plastic material or twine is not permitted.
d. 
The city has the authority to require trees larger than one-and-one-half-inch stem caliper to be planted, if the planting is a result of a tree replacement due to a removal of an existing tree or destroyed through negligence or accidents.
e. 
The city of Rainier public works department shall be notified and have the right to inspect any trees or shrubs before they are planted, or at any time during the term of the contract. The city reserves the right to reject any materials at any time for nonconformance to the specifications of this policy. The contractor will replace rejected materials with specified plants at the contractor's expense.
f. 
All street trees shall be of an approved species and variety from the Clatskanie Peoples Utility District selection of tree species, "Power Friendly," RMC § 8.40.100, as approved by the city.
g. 
Tree material originating within the state shall have the Oregon inspection certificate attached. Nursery stock imported from other states shall be accompanied by a certificate of inspection from the place of origin as required by Oregon law. All certificates shall be given to and reviewed by the city of Rainier public works department prior to tree approval. The contractor shall be responsible for making all arrangements with the Oregon Department of Agriculture for inspection of tree materials shipped from out of state directly to the contractor of the project.
3. 
Planting Method.
a. 
All planting work shall be performed using sound horticultural practices approved by the NAA and/or the ISA.
b. 
Plants shall be set plumb. All plants shall be set so that, after settlement, they are at the same level as when growing in the nursery. Plants shall be watered in at the time of planting to eliminate air pockets. Excess soil shall be removed by the contractor.
c. 
Balled and burlapped plants may be placed with the wrapping in place if all materials are untreated and biodegradable. When burlap is left around plants, any string, twine or rope shall be removed and the burlap folded down from the top half of the root ball.
d. 
No plant shall be dug or approved until all underground utilities have been marked.
e. 
Tree spacing must conform to RMC § 8.40.090(A), Minimum Street Tree Planting Distances. The spacing will be approved by the city before planting will proceed.
f. 
Every planting pit shall be at least 50 percent wider and at least the depth of the soil ball or the full extent of the root system of bare-rooted trees. In the process of digging the hole, "glazing" the sides of the hole will not be accepted.
g. 
For all balled-and-burlapped, bare-rooted, container grown plants, the backfill will be of desirable structure, texture, and pH to support vigorous plant growth. Approval of the city of Rainier public works department must be obtained prior to any use of the existing soil as backfill.
h. 
A watering berm in unirrigated areas shall be constructed around every tree or shrub.
i. 
Planting sites will be mulched with an approved mulch material with four inches of wood chips, fibrous bark, or composted wood debris after planting is completed. The mulch will be extended beyond the drip zone of the tree, and cover an area no less than the width of the planting hole.
j. 
All trees must be staked with materials as approved by the city public works department. The tree will be secured to the stakes with an approved rubber, adjustable, chainlock "tree tie" no less than one inch wide and secured at no less than two points along the tree trunk.
k. 
Excavated plant pits that will be left open when work is not in progress (nights, holidays, and weekends) or which pose hazards at any time to pedestrians or vehicles shall be adequately barricaded with qualified warning devices as per Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon OSHA Standards.
l. 
Trees will be protected at all times during handling, shipping, storage, and planting. Trees shall be protected from windburn during transit, extreme weather conditions, and drying of roots or root balls. Any trees showing substantial damage, as determined by the city public works department, will be rejected and replaced by the contractor at the contractor's own expense.
m. 
If required, root barriers approved by the city public works department will be installed prior to planting.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
A. 
All resource materials for location standards and definitions referenced in this chapter are available at the public works department upon request.
B. 
Trees Planted in the Streetside Right-of-Way.
1. 
On public streets without sidewalks or on major thoroughfares with no or one sidewalk, trees will be located to accommodate future sidewalk placement.
2. 
Trees will be located in the street right-of-way taking into account current and future utility line corridors.
(Ord. 1036 § 1, 2007)
A. 
Minimum Street Tree Planting Distances. Minimum distances from streams, intersections, alleys, and driveways shall conform to RMC § 8.15.140, the Rainier zoning ordinances relating to street trees and greenways, and the city of Rainier transportation system plan for the city of Rainier. Exceptions for allowing trees to be placed within the sight clearance areas may be granted by permission of the city.
B. 
Definitions.
1. 
"Shade trees"
are those trees that will grow to average over 15 feet in height.
2. 
"Ornamental trees"
are those trees that will grow to average height of less than 15 feet.
C. 
Definitions for Shade Trees.
1. 
"Spreading crown"
means trees with a mature crown elevation of 30 feet or more.
2. 
"Global" or "pyramidal"
means trees with a mature crown elevation of 20 to 30 feet.
3. 
"Fastigate" or "columnar"
means trees with a mature crown elevation of 10 to 20 feet.
D. 
Minimum spacing for tree plantings are as follows:
Spreading crown
30' apart
Global, pyramidal
25' apart
Fastigate, columnar
20' apart
E. 
Minimum distance between the trunk of a tree from walks, curbs and utilities:
Sidewalk
1.5'
Access or courtesy walk
5'
Face of curb
1.5'
Manholes and catchbasins
10'
Fire hydrants
10'
Water meters and other utility boxes
5'
F. 
Minimum distances from buried utility lines shall be determined on an individual, case-by-case basis.
G. 
Minimum Distances from Structures.
Shade trees
10'
Ornamental
6'
Shrubs
3'
H. 
Minimum Distance from Streetlights.
Shade trees:
Spreading crown
20'
Global, pyramidal
16'
Fastigate, columnar
10'
Ornamental trees:
All
10'
I. 
Above-Ground Structures. Any tree planted 10 feet or closer to an above-ground structure shall have an impenetrable root barrier installed near the above-ground structure. The root barrier shall run the length of the planting area or the above-ground structure, whichever is less, and reach a depth of 18 inches.
J. 
Overhead Utility Lines. No tree with the potential of reaching a mature height of more than 25 feet shall be planted within 10 feet of the right-of-way under "primary" overhead wires (as defined in ANSI A300).
K. 
Vehicular Area. Provisions shall be made to prevent parts of any vehicle from touching trees or plants in or adjacent to any vehicular area or parking lot which abuts the right-of-way; in addition, provisions shall be made to protect trees and plants from noxious fumes or chemicals by providing sufficient distance between the vehicle and the plants by the use of wheel stops.
(Ord. 1036 § 2, 2007)
Here are a few power-friendly trees. Consult with your local nursery or utility for species and varietals appropriate to your particular landscaping and climate.
Amur Maple
Vine Maple
Japanese Snowbell
Goldenrain
Golden Desert Ash
Mt. Fuji Cherry
Japanese Tree Lilac
Flowering Plum
Serviceberry
(Ord. 1036 § 3, 2007)