New local law aims to protect town's trees

PINE PLAINS — There’s nothing quite like walking down a tree-lined street, shaded from the afternoon sun by deep green foliage dancing in the wind while atop sturdy, weathered trunks. The image is an idyllic one, but one the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) in Pine Plains hopes to protect through proposed Local Law No. 2, for which there will be a public hearing on June 17.

“The CAC was concerned that we were seeing a lot of beautiful trees along our streets cut down or cut in ways that were really damaging to trees by the town Highway Department, and these were trees that they regarded as causing problems or potential problems,� said CAC acting Chair Joan Redmond.

Much of the time that meant there were hanging limbs from storm damage, or power lines that were tangled in the trees. Problems, Redmond said, that were easiest “solved� by getting rid of the trees.

“We had seen a number of trees on Lake Road near Stissing Lake that came down to the horror of the owner,� she said. “They were big trees. That kind of spurred us on that we needed some kind of mechanism to preserve our street trees. We wrote up a draft street tree ordinance with the thought we would engage the town and see if they could get on board with this and develop a law.�

And that’s what has happened. The proposed local law sets out to: “Provide a mechanism for the removal, and pruning of trees on public and private lands which impact public highways and other public property in the town, which pose a hazard to the general public;

Establish and maintain the maximum sustainable amount of tree cover on public and private lands which impact public highways and other public property in the town;

Help insure that trees which pose a hazard to the general public are removed and/or pruned in accordance with sound arboricultural practices;

Protect and enhance the character of the town by assuring that decisions regarding the removal and pruning of trees are consistent within sound arboriculture practices, and;

Preserve the natural beauty and community character of the town.�

“I think there is greater awareness [about the importance of protecting our trees],â€� Redmond said. “I do know in the past there’s  been some uproars when really big old trees on some streets have come down. Many times it’s the opinion of the Highway Department those trees are too old and damaged and are going to die in 15 years, so why not get rid of them. That’s where we need to bring in an arborist. There may be other circumstances where remediation can protect a tree.â€�

Redmond said so often it’s the specific way a tree is trimmed that can damage it or make it vulnerable to disease. She recommends the town brings in an arborist from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help train the Highway Department on how to care for trees.

The CAC is also hoping residents will educate themselves on how to care for their trees. Additionally, residents are being asked to help with a tree inventory, to help identify heritage trees throughout the town based on certain unique or noteworthy characteristics, including species, rarity, age or historical significance.
That inventory will be used to help protect trees deserving of special attention under the proposed local law. Those who help collect that information can submit it to the Town Board or the CAC at Town Hall.

“The town and Highway Department will have copies of the inventory and in the future if a tree needs work and it’s on the list, the law will require the highway crew to talk to the town before they do anything,â€� Redmond said. “And they always have to talk to the owners of the tree. The CAC or an arborist may also  be called upon for their input.â€�

The towns of Rhinebeck and Red Hook already have similar tree laws; the town of Saugerties is working on passing one as well.

The tree ordinance also mandates the town must inform property owners of its intentions prior to cutting down any trees on said owner’s property.

The public hearing on the proposed local law is set for Thursday, June 17, at 8 p.m. at Town Hall.