Assessment Results

Tree Management

Policies for the maintenance of trees, often including references to industry standards and pest and disease management.

Before reviewing your results, verify how your state governs local authority. States follow either Dillon’s Rule, which limits municipalities to powers explicitly granted by the state, or Home Rule, which allows broader local authority unless specifically prohibited by state law. If you’re in a Dillon’s Rule state, your tree ordinance must follow state-enabling legislation. Check your state statutes, municipal league, or community forestry program to confirm your state’s model.

When developing or revising a tree ordinance, we recommend you work with your community’s legal counsel. Legal counsel will help ensure your ordinance complies with state and local requirements, properly establishes enforcement authority, and can achieve your community's goals, while avoiding potential legal challenges.

Introduction

The Tree Management section of the ordinance is where the standard of care for public trees is laid out. If your community has an urban forest management plan (UFMP), this section can be used to tie public tree management to the goals and strategies established in the UFMP. If there is not an established tree plan or manual, you can use the ordinance to set a goal and timeline for developing a UFMP. 

It is recommended that your ordinance require adherence to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and/or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards. For example, all tree maintenance, protection, and installation shall be done in accordance with ANSI A300 standards.  

It is helpful to include a strategy for pest and disease control within your tree management section to help empower your community to fight potential outbreaks. This strategy should include language that prohibits knowingly maintaining a diseased/infested tree, and a system for government staff to inspect and submit notices of abatement for properties containing a nuisance tree.  

The three levels of sample language and examples below demonstrate the scope and depth that tree management sections can cover. 

Key Definitions

Pruning Standards

Practices adhering to ANSI A300 Clause 9 Management of Trees and Shrubs during Site Development and Construction to promote tree health and structure (e.g., no topping, proper collar cuts).

Tree Risk Assessment

A systematic evaluation by a Certified Arborist to identify hazards (e.g., decay, structural defects) and recommend actions.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A science-based approach to pest control prioritizing cultural, biological, and mechanical methods over chemicals.

ANSI A300

Industry standards for tree care operations by the American National Standards Institute.

Example Language

Basic

Basic Level

Basic ordinances focus on reactive maintenance, such as pruning for safety or removing dead trees. This approach addresses immediate hazards and maintains basic public safety. 

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Basic

Tree Management  

  1. General Maintenance 

    1. The City shall be responsible for the routine maintenance of public trees, including pruning, watering, and removal of deadwood as needed to promote tree health and public safety. 

  1. Pest and Disease Response 

    1. Any tree on public property found to be infested with a communicable pest or disease, or determined to be dead or dying due to such causes, shall be removed or treated as soon as practicable to prevent spread to other trees. 

  1. Nuisance Declaration 

    1. Trees determined by the City Arborist to be hazardous due to pests or diseases are declared a public nuisance and shall be abated by removal or treatment at the direction of the City. 

Examples

Hillsboro, Oregon

Hillsboro, OR Code of Ordinances. Chapter 9 - Streets and Parks, Sec. 9.18.070. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Springdale, Arkansas

Springdale, AR Code of Ordinances. Chapter 41 - Environment, Sec. 42-155. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue, NE Code of Ordinances. Chapter 29.5 - Trees, Sec. 29.5-7. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Intermediate Level

Intermediate ordinances implement scheduled maintenance cycles, pest management, and reference industry standards, supporting healthier and more resilient urban trees. 

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Intermediate

Tree Management  

  1. Comprehensive Maintenance
    1. The City shall establish and follow a regular schedule for pruning, mulching, watering, and fertilization of public trees to maximize health and resilience.
  2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
    1. The City shall implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for all public trees, which includes: 

      1. Regular monitoring and inspection for pests and diseases by trained personnel. 

      2. Accurate identification of pest and disease issues. 

      3. Use of cultural, mechanical, and biological controls as primary strategies, with chemical controls used only as a last resort. 

      4. Documentation of all pest and disease incidents and treatments. 

  3. Thresholds and Action Levels
    1. Action to treat or remove infested trees shall be triggered when pest or disease populations exceed established thresholds, or when a tree poses a risk to public safety or the urban forest.
  4. Public and Private Property
    1. Property owners shall be notified if trees on private property are found to harbor pests or diseases that threaten the urban forest. Owners must treat or remove such trees within a specified period or the City may abate the nuisance and recover costs. 

Examples

Bloomington, Indiana

Bloomington, IN Code of Ordinances. Chapter 12.24 - Trees and Other Vegetation, Sec. 12.24.020. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Covington, Kentucky

Covington, KY Code of Ordinances. Chapter 51 - Urban Forestry, Sec. 51.06 and 51.07. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Westminster, Colorado Pest and Hazard Management

Westminster, CO Code of Ordinances. Chapter 3 - Trees and Shrubbery, Sec. 13-3-4 and 13-3-4. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Advanced Level

Advanced ordinances use integrated vegetation management, canopy health mapping, and adaptive management strategies, optimizing urban forest health and ecosystem services over time. 

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Advanced

Tree Management  

  1. Urban Forest Management Plan
    1. The City shall maintain a science-based Urban Forest Management Plan, updated every five years, which addresses tree health, species diversity, and pest/disease resilience.
  2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Protocol
    1. The City shall implement a comprehensive IPM protocol that includes:
      1. Annual and seasonal monitoring by certified arborists using digital inventory systems
      2. Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) procedures for high-risk pests and diseases, including quarantine and targeted removal.
      3. Use of biological controls, beneficial insects, and resistant tree species as preferred strategies.
      4. Public notification and education regarding emerging threats, best practices, and reporting procedures.
  3. Pest/Disease-Specific Action Plans
    1. For known threats (e.g., Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm Disease), the City shall maintain species-specific action plans, including inventory, treatment, removal, and replacement strategies.
  4. Collaboration and Reporting 

    1. The City shall collaborate with state and federal agencies on pest surveillance and management, and report outbreaks as required by law. 

    2. Annual reports on pest and disease management activities, outcomes, and lessons learned shall be published for public review. 

  5. Private Property Enforcement
    1. If a private property owner fails to abate a pest or disease threat after notification, the City may enter the property, perform necessary work, and recover all associated costs through a property lien. 

Examples

Park Ridge, Illinois Pest Management

Park Ridge, IL Code of Ordinances. Chapter 19 - Infected, Infested, and Dead Trees. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Blaine, Minnesota

Blaine, MN Code of Ordinances. Chapter 90 - Vegetation, Article III. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Germantown, Tennessee

Germantown, TN Code of Ordinances. Chapter 22 - Vegetation, Division V. Accessed May 29th, 2025. 

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Relevant Industry Standards and Best Management Practices

ANSI A300 Clause 5 Pruning (2023): Defines standards for pruning practices, including objectives (e.g., risk mitigation, health management), acceptable techniques (e.g., collar cuts), and prohibited methods (e.g., topping, lion’s-tailing). 

ANSI A300 Clause 6 Soil Management (2023): Addresses soil health through practices like fertilization, pH adjustment, organic mulch application, and compaction mitigation. Guides nutrient management and soil amendment incorporation to sustain tree vitality.

ANSI A300 Clause 7 Supplemental Support Systems (2023): Covers installation and maintenance of structural support systems (e.g., cables, braces) to stabilize trees with weak branch unions or structural defects. Ensures systems are designed to minimize tree injury.

ANSI A300 Clause 8 Lightning Protection Systems (2023): Provides standards for installing lightning protection systems in trees to redirect electrical charges safely to the ground. Emphasizes grounding methods (single/multiple rods, horizontal systems) and clarifies that systems protect trees—not people or structures.

ANSI A300 Clause 11 Integrated Vegetation Management (2023): Focuses on sustainable vegetation control in rights-of-way and other managed landscapes. Promotes compatible plant communities and selective management to reduce herbicide use.

ANSI A300 Clause 12 Root Management (2023): Guides root pruning, barrier installation, and management of girdling roots. Defines selective vs. non-selective root cutting and emphasizes minimizing damage to critical root zones. 

ANSI A300 Clause 13 Tree Risk Assessment (2023): Establishes protocols for assessing tree risk using three levels of inspection (visual, advanced, aerial/sub-surface). Requires documenting defects, target exposure, and mitigation recommendations. 

ANSI A300 Clause 14 Integrated Pest Management (2023): Promotes pest control through monitoring, action thresholds, and targeted treatments (biological, cultural, mechanical). Prioritizes non-chemical methods and client collaboration.