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CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 1 Adopted 11/19/2019 1.0 Purpose Trees enhance the urban, suburban and rural environment of Lewiston by reducing stormwater runoff and absorbing rainfall, reducing soil erosion, exchanging gases, and conserving energy. These are especially true when trees are strategically placed along streets and around buildings. The purpose of this policy is to provide for healthy streetscapes and provide incentives to the owners of single family and multi-family properties to plant additional trees on their properties. 2.0 Policy Statement It is the City’s policy to encourage planting trees on public and private property when it is to the benefit of the resident and the City. This policy covers three areas: 1) Replacing street trees within the right-of-way that have become diseased, damaged, or otherwise create a hazard to public health or property. The addition of trees within the right-of-way is intended to provide a more consistent streetscape and enhancement of public property. Replacement may be with another species having a more suitable habit (growth pattern) for the specific location. 2) Trees placed outside the right-of-way or off City property where the City has a stated plan and interest in developing or improving a streetscape. 3) A program encouraging property owners to plant trees within the public view on single family and multi-family residential properties. 3.0 Trees Planted on Public Property by the City 3.1 Applicability Like all living things, trees have a limited lifespan and can become diseased or damaged by storms and human activities, necessitating their removal. Trees may also affect the operation of street infrastructure and utilities. When trees are removed or missing from the streetscape, they will be replaced if there is sufficient budget and there are no technical or safety reasons not to replace them. 3.2 Procedure Whenever a tree is planted or removed from the City right-of-way, the City Arborist will evaluate the location for the suitable replacement trees or to add additional trees. The Arborist will consider the location, safety, potential space conflicts, other area trees, and the potential for disease, and make a determination as to whether a tree should be planted and what species is appropriate for the setting. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 2 Adopted 11/19/2019 3.3 Assessment and Budget Annually, the City Arborist will assess the City’s tree health and condition based on experience from the preceding years and evaluation of trends, and make a recommendation for a tree replacement budget to the Public Works Director. The Public Works Director will forward a recommendation to the City Administrator and Council for consideration. 4.0 Trees Planted on Private Property by the City 4.1 Applicability At times, the right-of-way layout/geometry, utility locations, American with Disability Act requirements, or other features will not accommodate trees in the public right-of- way. In cases where the City has determined there is a public interest in enhancing the streetscape with trees, it will seek permission for planting on private property. This determination will typically be in the form of a specific budgeted project that may be an add-on to a City paving or road reconstruction project, sidewalk project, neighborhood enhancement project, or a standalone treescape project. 4.2 Rights for Planting and Maintenance As the project is developed, the Project Engineer and/or the City Arborist will contact the applicable owners to get an initial indication of their willingness to allow the City to plant and maintain a tree(s) on their property for an initial five-year period and grant the City an easement or license to do so. Once the project is funded and the owner has indicated a willingness to allow the City to plant and maintain a tree or trees on their property, then the City will draft and execute a five-year easement/license to authorize planting and initial maintenance of the tree(s). If the tree(s) must be replaced beyond the original five year city maintenance period, it will be by mutual agreement between the City and the then current property owner. For City planted trees, the owner, during the five-year City maintenance period, has no obligation to maintain the tree(s) other than to take care not to willfully damage them. The City’s responsibility for the tree(s) shall end at the expiration of the five-year maintenance period. 5.0 Tree Planted on Private Property by the Owner (Treebate) 5.1 Eligibility The treebate program is available to property owners of single family or multi-family residential properties. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 3 Adopted 11/19/2019 5.2 Amount of Treebate The City will credit the property owner’s stormwater fee for 50% of the invoiced cost of purchasing and or planting a qualifying tree up to a maximum of $100. Applicants are eligible for no more than one tree per year. 5.3 Qualifying Trees To qualify, trees must be deciduous, non-invasive, and have a caliper measurement of at least 1.5 inches. (Caliper is a measure of the diameter of the trunk 6 inches above the soil surface.) A list of pre-qualifying tree species can be found in Attachment A. Other trees can potentially qualify upon written approval from the City Arborist prior to purchase and planting. 5.4 Application In order to qualify for a guaranteed Treebate, property owners must complete the application form found in Attachment B in advance of purchasing the tree to ensure city participation. Notice of approval by the City Arborist will constitute an assurance to the applicant that funds are available for the purchase and/or planting. A tree that does not meet the requirements of the program will not be eligible for reimbursement. 5.5 Planting Location Requirements In general, trees must be planted in a location where they are visible from the public right-of-way and within 100 feet of the primary residential structure. Trees must be planted at least: forty (40) feet from all intersections and traffic signs/signals ten (10) feet from abutting properties or structures. thirty (30) feet from existing trees. ten (10) feet from utility poles, hydrants, and driveways. Consideration must be given to avoid future tree/utility conflicts, both overhead and underground. Note that private underground utilities (such as water and sewer service lines and electrical feeds) and underground irrigation systems are the responsibility of the property owner. The City Arborist will assist upon request. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 4 Adopted 11/19/2019 Sufficient care must be taken to protect the tree from potential damage by vehicles, equipment, and the public. 5.6 Fruit Trees. Fruit trees must be planted outside the City right-of-way such that all falling fruit stays on the privately owned property. 5.7 Procedure for Claiming Treebate Once a tree has been purchased and planted, the property owner must provide the City with a copy of the invoice or other acceptable proof of payment specifying the species of tree purchased and trunk caliper along with a picture of the planted tree. Treebate claims should be submitted to: City Arborist, City of Lewiston, Department of Public Works, 103 Adams Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: (207) 513-3003. After review, the applicant will be notified whether or not they have qualified for a Treebate. 5.8 Planting and Care Guide The City Arborist, at the contact information above, may assist with the helping a property owner choose a location and with proper planting and care guidelines. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 5 Adopted 11/19/2019 APPENDIX A RECOMMENDED TREES BOTANICAL NAME: Acer rubrun COMMON NAME: Red Maple Zone 3, 40-60' in height, spread less than or equal to height. Very tolerant of soils, however, prefers acid, moist conditions. Cultivars: - Narrow Spirelike Crown; ‘Autumn Blaze;’ ‘Red Sunset” BOTANICAL NAME: Acer saccharum COMMON NAME: Sugar Maple Zone 3, 60 - 75' in height. Spread is 2/3's or equal to the height. Prefers well drained moderately moist, fertile soil, a acid soil seems to result in greater growth, not extremely air pollution tolerant. Needs ample, unrestricted space to grow. Cultivars: 'Green mountain' - Upright oval crown, performs better than species in dry restricted growing areas. BOTANICAL NAME: Cladrastis lutes COMMON NAME: Yellowwood Zone 3, 30 - 50' in height with a spread of 40 to 50 feet. Tolerates high pH soils as well as acid situations. Requires well drained soils. Fragrant white flowers in spring. Bright yellow foliage in spring gradually change to bright green in summer and yellow in fall. BOTANICAL NAME: Fraxinus americana COMMON NAME: White ash Zone 3, 50 - 80' in height with a spread of similar proportions. Prefers deep, moist, well drained soils but also withstands soils which are not excessively dry and rocky. BOTANICAL NAME: Fraxinus COMMON NAME: Green ash Zone 3, 50 - 60' in height by about 1/2 that in spread. Very adaptable tolerates high pH, salt, drought, and sterile soils. Cultivars: `Honeyshade' - Glossy foliage; `Marshall's Seedless' - Vigorous growth with less insect problems than the species. BOTANICAL NAME: Ginko biloba COMMON NAME: Ginko Zone 4, 50 - 80' in height, variable spread 30' plus. Prefers sandy, deep, moderately moist soil but grows in almost any situation. Air pollution tolerant; a durable tree for difficult to landscape situations. Extremely free of pest. BOTANICAL NAME: Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis COMMON NAME: Thornless Honeylocust Zone 4, 40 - 60' in height, with comparable spread. Prefers rich, moist soils of a limestone origin, however, it withstands a wide range of conditions including dry soils,' high pH and salt spray. Cultivars: 'Fairview' - Rapid grower; strong sturdy habit of growth; wide upright; `Shade master' - tall straight trunk with graceful arching branches. BOTANICAL NAME: phellondendron amurense COMMON NAME: Amur Corktree Zone 3, 30 - 45' in height with equal spread. Does well on many types of soils, withstands acid or alkaline conditions. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 6 Adopted 11/19/2019 Cultivars: `Red spire' - Compact upright form, hardiest; `Autumn Blaze' - Wider than Red spire BOTANICAL NAME: Pyrus calleryana `bradford' COMMON NAME: Bradford Callery Pear Zone 4, 30 - 50' in height with a 20 - 35' spread. Adaptable to many different soils, tolerates dryness and pollution. White flowers in spring, glossy green foliage, turns scarlet in fall. BOTANICAL NAME: Quercus palustris COMMON NAME: Pin Oak Zone 4, 60-70’ in height with a crown spread of 30-40’. Strong pyramid shape, tolerant of poor soils. Very common street tree. BOTANICAL NAME: Sophora iaponica COMMON NAME: Japanese Pagoda tree Zone 4, 50 - 75' in height with comparable spread. Prefers loamy well-drained soil. White mildly fragrant blossoms in spring. Cultivars: `Fastigrata' - Upright growth habit; `Regent' - Fast growth rate. BOTANICAL NAME: Syringa reticulate x Ivory Silk COMMON NAME: Japanese Tree Lilac Zone 3, 20-30’ in height, 15 -25’ in crown width. PLANT SINGLE STEM ONLY. One of the most trouble free street trees, this is not a standard lilac shrub. Excellent specimen tree or in groups. Waxy green leaves with fragrant creamy white flowers in late June. Good choice for small or tight areas without much room. Does not tolerate wet soils. BOTANICAL NAME: Tilia cordata COMMON NAME: Little Leaf Linden Zone 3, 60 - 70' in height and 1/2 to 2/3's that in spread. Prefers moist, well drained soil, pH adaptable and pollution tolerant. Dark glossy green foliage changing to yellow in fall. BOTANICAL NAME: Ulmus Americana ‘Princeton’ COMMON NAME: Princeton Elm Zone 3, 60 - 80' in height and 40-50’ in crown spread. American Elm cultivar, vigorous and good resistance to Dutch Elm Disease. BOTANICAL NAME: Ulmus Homestead COMMON NAME: Homestead Elm Zone 4, 60 - 70' in height and 30-40’ in crown spread. Fast growing tree, good tolerance to poor soil, heat and insects and disease. FRUIT TREES: Must be rated for zone 4 or lower. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF LEWISTON TREE PLANTING POLICY 7 Adopted 11/19/2019 APPENDIX B TREEBATE APPLICATION FORM Date: Name: Address: Phone: Email: Species: Red Maple Sugar Maple Yellowwood White Ash Green Ash Ginko Thornless Honeylocust Amur Corktree Pin Oak Bradford Callery Pear Japanese Pagoda Tree Japanese Tree Lilac Little Leaf Linden Princeton Elm Homestead Elm Other1 (Please specify): SUBMIT THIS FORM TO: City Arborist, City of Lewiston Department of Public Works, 103 Adams Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240. Ph: (207) 513-3003 YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED ONCE YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN REVIEWED. ELIGIBILITY FOR STORMWATER UTILITY CREDITS ARE GRANTED ON THE BASIS OF FUND AVAILABILITY. ONCE APPROVED AND PLANTED, PLEASE ATTACH ALL RECEIPTS (showing species, trunk caliper, and price paid) and a photo of the planted tree and submit to the City Arborist at the contact above. 1 Specify the other variety desired; our City Arborist will review your request to determine whether it is appropriate and be back in contact with you.