Creating a Community Tree Plan: A Guiding Document for Your Tree Commission

We often hear how important planning is, but for some of us shade tree commissioners who are "doers," we can find it tedious and boring. We want to go out and plant some new trees in town or work on getting declining and dangerous trees removed instead of writing a community tree plan. Some of us even worry that a written plan will cost money we should be using to manage trees or the plan will just collect dust on a shelf.

As one of those "doers" serving on the Kingston Shade Tree Commission for the past 25 years, I put together our plantings each spring and fall or contracts to remove stumps.  I am also concerned about the future of our highly successful, municipally supported tree program. I have seen several shade tree commissions and tree programs grind to a halt or simply disappear when the active tree commissioners retire, resign, or move away. A plan can help provide continuity for a program as new shade tree commissioners are appointed or provide a playbook to restart a commission when a program is reinstated after going dormant.

If our tree commission was able to write down some of our simple goals for the tree program and strategies for achieving those goals, we would have a document to guide the municipality and future commissioners. For example, we have a "No Net Loss" policy for trees in our community and have placed language in our ordinance that requires a property owner to replace any tree that is removed along the streets. Along with that, we have a tree replacement deposit system, whereby a deposit is collected (and held in escrow) when a tree removal permit is granted. Should a property owner not replace the tree within a year, the deposit funds are used to replant the tree, funding a tree that is planted by volunteers or public works crews. Even though there is language in the ordinance, this should all be outlined in our community tree plan along with future goals to serve as a convenient and accessible "playbook" for future shade tree commissioners to use to ensure continued support by residents and municipal government leaders.

Tree plans can ensure that low-growing species are planted under powerlines, reducing future conflicts and the need for clearance pruning.

Years ago, we had some street trees that were being improperly pruned and topped by poorly trained and misinformed tree services or property owners. The tree commission responded to this by working to have the ordinance amended to require the pruning of all street trees to adhere to the American National Standards Institute A300 Tree Pruning Standards. Additionally, workshops were conducted to educate residents and tree workers, including the municipal public works staff. Reference materials detailing the issues of topping and improper pruning are now provided to anyone applying for a pruning permit.  Several property owners and tree services were cited and brought before the magistrate, creating another opportunity to educate and show the tree commission was serious about protecting the natural resources that line our streets. These practices and procedures need to be documented in a written plan so that trees are protected for future residents.

Tree plans can set policies and standards that prevent destructive tree topping

The tree commission should also use the planning process to begin to think long-term and envision where they want the program to be in ten or twenty years. For example, does the commission want to expand its focus and promote the planting of trees on private property, educate homeowners, or support tree sales or giveaways in an effort to increase tree canopy cover throughout the municipality? Or does their tree inventory data suggest that they develop a tree risk abatement program, working proactively to remove declining trees before they fail and cause damage? Maybe the plan begins to address areas in town that don’t have many trees (distributing trees equitably), or develops strategies for protecting tree roots in areas where sidewalks are being replaced following lifting. Stumps currently appear to be an issue because property owners leave them behind following tree removals. The plan could begin to address this issue by either providing municipal contracts to remove the stumps or adjusting the deposit to fund the removal of stumps before replanting.

Tree plans can outline how damaged trees can be appraised, and their value can be recovered through auto insurance claims.

Tree plans can help address the planting and maintenance of trees in downtown commercial districts, helping to create pedestrian-friendly, green streets.

The plan can go further than just looking at tree planting and maintenance.  It can look at shade tree commission recruitment, the use of volunteers, fund raising and requesting municipal funding, or educating the public about the value of community trees and proper care.  

High school students planting trees with municipal assistance.

When you are ready to start the planning process, here are some resources your tree commission should read or view.   Start with  Community Tree Plans: A Guide for Tree Commissions and Advisory Councils by William Elmendorf, Ph.D., Professor and Ibberson Chair in Community and Urban Forestry.  You can also watch a recorded webinar titled Community Tree Plans, which Dr. Elmendorf presented in 2020, about the process of creating tree plans.   

Remember the plan can be short, simple, and inexpensive, but it does need to be written down, shared with others, and accessible to municipal officials and employees, shade tree commission members, and the public. The plan can and should be revisited and revised over time, but your shade tree commission or committee should not wait to develop a plan that will guide the future of the program and help those that will guide it.