|
|
Village Tree Ordinance
Community Forestry
Program
The Village of Red Hook will implement an ongoing Community Forestry
Program.
Trees will be periodically inspected for health and vitality and for any
hazard that they might impose due to damage and/or disease as determined by
a certified arborist. This arborist will make recommendations to the Village
of Red Hook that may include trimming, cabling or removal. As much as
possible, courses of action will be chosen to maximize tree life and
minimize financial expenditure.
When it becomes necessary for the Village of Red Hook to remove trees that
are located within the Village of Red Hook right of way, these trees shall
be replaced in accordance with the following guidelines:
 | The new trees shall be placed at
distances from the edge of pavement equivalent to that of the removed
tree/trees. |
| The replacement location may be
adjusted in a fashion parallel to the edge of pavement as necessary to
avoid the remains of the existing stump or an underground structure or
utility, or as appropriate based on surroundings above ground, e.g.,
corner lots. |
| The replacement shall be made within
one (1) month of the removal. If the replacement time frame occurs
within a season generally not accepted as adequate for planting, then
the tree replacement shall be performed as soon as possible after the
beginning of the next growing season. |
| Selection of new trees for replacement
will be based on but not limited to the following considerations:
 | Caliper (i.e., size) measurements
will be between 1.5"-1.75" to ensure both aesthetic value and
resilience through replanting. |
| Regional climate and village/site
microclimate. |
| Ability to withstand the particular
site's level of vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, snow plowing,
road salt, etc. |
| Species selected must ensure
sufficient biodiversity, both village-wide and with respect to the
particular site's surroundings, in order to maximize the resilience of
the village's tree population. |
| Site-specific safety and aesthetics. |
|
The previous guidelines apply to all trees
removed by the Village of Red Hook from June 2001 forward.
Funding
The Village of Red Hook will set aside a budget of at least two dollars
($2.00) per capita, based on village population, for the implementation of
the Community Forestry Program.
Arbor Day Observance and
Proclamation
The Village of Red Hook will institute an annual Arbor Day observance and
proclamation. They may be coordinated with state and/or national Arbor Day
celebrations, the annual Red Hook Apple Blossom Day event, the Red Hook
Community Forestry Program, or any other factors deemed appropriate in any
given year.
The observance should attempt to educate the public about the many
environmental and social benefits of biodiverse and ecologically appropriate
tree, plant and animal populations.
Administration
Each year, during the month of December, the Red Hook Village Board will
appoint three (3) officers to the Red Hook Village Green Committee. The
officers are charged with:
| Developing and administering the
details of the Community Forestry Program based on the program
guidelines above and with the budget noted above. |
| Developing and implementing the annual
Arbor Day observance and proclamation noted above. |
Each appointment will be for a term of one
(1) year, and the appointments will not be subject to any term limits. The
Red Hook Village Board should strive to appoint people with appropriate
knowledge and background, though professional forester or arborist
experience should not be deemed necessary for service.
Aside from the board-appointed officers, the Red Hook Village Green
Committee will be open to any and all members of the community who wish to
provide assistance to the committee's officers in carrying out their charge
of developing and administering the Community Forestry Program.
|
