City Administration came up with a new listing of trees for those residents who wish to replace their current tree lawn trees. The listing entails a selection of trees for the various sizes of areas included, as the tree lawns range from four to eight feet wide.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz reminds those residents that they may, not must, replace trees that have to be removed, due to damage or death. “The residents will be given a list of the approved trees when they come to apply for the permit,” said Antoskiewicz. He added that there is also a listing of unapproved trees, that are known to cause problems, such as lifting sidewalks with their roots.
The following are the recommended species and varieties, although the list is not exclusive and others may be submitted for approval:
Small Trees (20-30 feet when mature)
These are for four to six foot tree lawn widths:
Hedgemaple, Serviceberry (single stem)
Eastern Hornbeam, Eastern Redbud, Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn, Amur Maackia, Magnolia “Elizabeth,” Flowering Crabapple Hybrids (discase-resistant, upright/pyramidal form), Eastern Hop Hornbeam, Japanese Tree Lilac.
Medium Trees (25-50 feet when mature)
These are for six to eight foot tree lawn widths: Freeman Maple, Sugar Maple, Yellowwood, Golden Rain Tree, Black Tupelo, Shingle Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Lacebark Elm.
Large Trees (Over 50 feet when mature)
These are for 8 foot minimum tree lawn widths: Hackberry, Ginko (male only), Honeylocust (thornless, fruitless), Kentucky Coffee Tree (fruitless), Tulip Tree, Dawn Redwood, Planetree, Scarlet Oak, Bur Oak, Chestnut Oak, Northern Red Oak, Black Oak, American Linden, Littleleaf Linden, Silver Linden, Elm (DED resistant), Zelkova.
There is also a list of prohibited trees, as follows, with the reason in parenthesis:
Norway Maple (invasive); Silver Maple (expansive roots); Tree of Heaven (invasive); Birch Species (expansive roots); Ash Species (susceptible to Emerald Ash Borer); Sweetgum (expansive roots, excessive fruit); Rose-of-Sharon (invasive); Amur Corktree (invasive); American Sycamore (expansive roots); Poplar Species (expansive roots); Pear (invasive); Willow Species (expansive roots); Siberian Elm (invasive).
The North Royalton City Council had adopted changes to the city’s ordinances regarding the removal and replacement of tree lawn trees last summer, as follows:
“1026.02 REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF TREES; PERMIT REQUIRED.
(a) No person shall remove any tree and stump from municipal streets or properties or any tree and stump upon a public way, curb strip, treelawn, street or alley without first obtaining a permit therefor, in writing, from the Service Director. The Service Director may grant said tree and stump removal permits to the property owner(s). Any person or property owner granted permission to remove a tree and stump for any purpose, may, but shall not be required to replace the removed tree. All replacement trees shall conform to the specification of the Service Director. Such specifications shall include consideration of the species, location, size and condition of replacement trees. The permitted person or property owner shall bear the cost (1) of removal of the tree and stump, and (2) of replacing trees removed, if the owner so elects.
(b) A permit shall not be required to remove any tree or part thereof which, by reason of damage by fire, windstorm, other natural calamity or disease, creates a danger to the public health, safety and welfare or which obstructs any public right-of-way. In the event the tree is removed, the stump must be removed and the tree lawn restored to its original condition. The owner may replace the tree from a selection of approved trees on file with the office of the Service Director.”
In addition, discussion took place about the various problems associated with trees that had been planted on tree lawns over the years, such as root structures lifting sidewalks and debris caused by some trees. Discussions at that point took place about forming a new listing with the newly recommended trees. Antoskiewicz said that he utilized the landscape architects from the engineering firm, GPD, who has been contracted before by the city, who drew up the new listings.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
