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FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
| Tree
Information |
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| Tree Planting Placement |
The City of Robbinsdale
plants trees on City-owned property (see Whose Tree Is It?) to replace those that have been removed, to honor citizen
planting requests, and to enhance the community’s forest. Considerations for placement
include the visual gap or void in the landscape, the age of the citizen request, future
plans for the potential planting site, and utility/safety concerns (“locates”
are done through Gopher One-Call prior to planting and adjustments made). The City
Forester maintains the tree planting request log and, with other City staff, makes tree
placement decisions. Trees planted on City of Robbinsdale property are planted and
maintained at City expense – there is no cost to the adjoining property owner.
Painting a white
“T” on the curb at the approximate planting location marks Chosen planting
sites. A mailing will then be sent informing the occupant/property owner of the
proposed planting. If you receive such a notice and have concerns or questions, call
the Forestry Department. Tree Selection
Once a
tree-planting site has been selected, that site is evaluated in order to choose a tree
species that is likely to thrive there. Determination is based on soil type,
exposure, nearby plantings, possible utility and other conflicts, and the mature
characteristics of the tree under consideration. Once a tree species has been
chosen, care is taken to find a healthy example of that species – it that is not
possible, then a substitution is made to assure a healthy and suitable choice.
Tree Planting
After trees have
been planted, they will be watered at least twice by the City or its contractors. If
the newly planted tree is near your house, a second mailing will let you know what kind of
tree you have and how to help the tree to remain healthy, thus providing a welcome
addition to your home/business environment. The greatest need will be water.
New Tree Watering
With the large number
of community trees under our care, the Forestry Department needs your help with watering
newly planted trees and all trees during periods of drought. On average, trees
need one inch of water a week during the growing season.
Guidelines:
1. Water newly planted trees
once every seven to ten days during dry periods in spring, summer, and fall.
2. Water trees less than five years old every seven to ten days if
significant rainfall has not occurred. 30-40 gallons, slowly applied, is desirable.
3. Running your garden hose under the tree crown (expanse of branches)
at a slow, gentle speed works well.
4. Mulch, properly placed around the tree trunk, helps conserve moisture (and
reduces mechanical damage to the tree). See our information on obtaining wood chips.
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| Tree
Disease Management
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Two lethal and contagious
vascular diseases threaten our community’s elms (Dutch elm disease) and oaks (oak
wilt). Both diseases are spread via root connections between trees and bark boring
insects, but are host-specific (i.e. Dutch elm disease only occurs on elms).
Once an elm
or oak has been diagnosed with these diseases, it usually must be removed, and the wood
and debris properly disposed of. In rare cases when early diagnosis allows, curative
treatments (combined injection of systemic fungicides and removal of symptomatic wood) may
be allowed. For details on tree removal procedures, please click here.
The City of
Robbinsdale Code directs the Forestry Department in managing these diseases. When a
dead or diseased elm or oak is located on private property, a notice will be sent to the
property owner, identifying the tree(s) in question and explaining removal options.
The notice also specifies the completion deadline, which is twenty days during the growing
season. For more information about Dutch elm disease and oak wilt disease, check Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Council web site.
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| Tree
Pruning/Removing |
The City attempts to manage its community forest
on an eight-year rotation. This means that City-owned trees (see Whose Tree Is It?) are divided into eight zones and, budget
allowing, the trees in one zone are pruned each year. Trees are trimmed to reduce hazards,
provide clearance, improve structure, and to remove dead/diseased wood . (see University of Minnesota Forestry Extension)
In addition, citizen pruning/removal requests are considered and included in work plans as
deemed necessary by the City Forester.
Diseased City-owned trees are removed within twenty days, as possible. Dead and dying
trees, hazardous trees, and other trees that must be removed are scheduled according to
relative risk to people and property, as well as budgetary and scheduling constraints.
The City chooses a tree service contractor each year based on bid prices for projected
work, demonstrated performance, and ability to respond in a timely fashion.
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| Tree
Removal |
When a privately owned elm tree is confirmed to be infected
with Dutch elm disease, a notice is sent to the property owner with the following
instructions. |
NOTICE TO REMOVE A DEAD/DISEASED ELM FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY
The
City of Robbinsdale's Dutch elm disease program aims to control this contagious, fatal
disease of elm trees, while meeting the requirements of Minnesota laws and
regulations. Because the prompt removal of dead and diseased elm trees is the most
effective method of controlling the spread of this disease, City Ordinance 835 orders the
City Forester to inspect elms in the city, both public and private, identifying dead and
diseased trees, and cause them to be removed in a timely manner. Accordingly, the
City Forester has identified and marked an elm tree on your property as being dead or
diseased.
Proper tree removal includes the following:
1. The tree is to be cut down, with the remaining stump cut
as close as possible to ground level.
2. The remaining stump must be debarked above ground level.
3. No elm wood with attached bark, nor elm brush may be stored
within the City of Robbinsdale. (This eliminates potential breeding sites of the elm
bark beetles that spread the disease.)
TREE REMOVAL OPTIONS
Please choose from among the three options listed, noting your preference on the
enclosed pre-stamped post card, signing it, and mailing it back to us (which greatly helps
us in planning).
A. Request that the City of Robbinsdale's tree service contractor remove the tree.
1. The City Forester will authorize the City contractor to remove the tree and dispose of
all resulting wood and brush. Note: stump grinding or removal is not included as part of
tree removal.
2. The City of Robbinsdale will pay the bill for this work, and then invoice the
authorizing home or business owner, plus a $75 administration fee.
3. Unpaid invoice balances after thirty days will be added to the property owner's taxes.
This special assessment accrues interest, and shall be payable over a three-year period.
B. Property owner contracts with a tree service company licensed by the City of
Robbinsdale to remove the tree.
Tree services must be licensed by the City of Robbinsdale, which requires proof of
liability and worker's compensation insurance. A current list of licensed firms is
enclosed. Licensed tree services must be used in the City of Robbinsdale.
C. Property owner removes the tree.
1. Homeowner assumes all risk, exercising appropriate safety precautions and consideration
for neighboring property owners.
2. All resulting wood and brush from the tree must be disposed of at an approved disposal
site. A list of such approved sites is available from the City Forester.
NONCOMPLIANCE WITH A TREE REMOVAL ORDER
If the property owner has not removed the tree by the removal deadline, the City of
Robbinsdale is authorized to assign the work to the City's tree service
contractor. The contractor will follow proper tree removal procedures detailed above, and
will not remove the stump.
A. The City will invoice the property owner for the total cost of tree removal plus a $150
administration fee.
B. Unpaid balances after thirty days will be added to the property owner's taxes. This
special assessment accrues interest, and shall be payable in full over a three-year
period.
For further information contact the Forestry office at (763) 531-1273.
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| Storm Damage |
| Response to City-owned tree
damage is prioritized, addressing (in descending order) safety, passage and clearance,
tree repair, and then general clean up. For tree removals, stumps will be ground out at a
later date. If you see a public
tree that is leaning, has broken branches/hangers, cracks, or other defects that pose
safety concerns, contact Forestry at (763) 531-1273 or Public Works at (763) 531-1202.
Private trees that are
damaged in a storm should be approached with caution. Often, particularly after
non-straight line winds, the damage to a tree or branch may not be immediately apparent.
Branches that have come into contact with a power line could be dangerous.
If you suspect that a tree is in
contact with an energized wire, stay clear of it and contact Xcel Energy immediately at
1-800-895-4999.
After a storm, properly dispose of debris
, remembering that City of Robbinsdale Code prevents storage of elm wood with its bark
attached. |
| Wood Chips |
At present, the City is regrettably unable to make wood chips
available to citizens. Many commercial tree firms make them available, often for
free – so you might give them a call if you are looking. In addition, the City
of Minneapolis makes wood chips available in many of their parks. These wood chips,
generated from forestry operations, are suitable for mulching around trees and other
landscape plants, reducing weeds and conserving water. University of
Minnesota Forestry Extension discusses methods and benefits of mulching. |
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Forestry Main Page |
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