Tree protection and survival

(a)

During construction, all reasonable steps necessary to prevent the destruction or damaging of trees shall be taken. Trees destroyed or receiving major damage must be replaced by trees of equal environmental value as specified in section 17-6 before occupancy or use unless approval for their removal has been granted under permit.

(1)

Trees that are to remain shall be clearly identified with tags.

(2)

During construction, protective barriers shall be placed with a radius of ten feet around the trees to remain in accordance with the landscape manual, unless a certified arborist otherwise determines in writing that a smaller or larger protected area is acceptable for each tree, or an alternative tree protection method is recommended.

(3)

During demolition and/or development, including installation of irrigation systems or any other underground installations, protective barriers shall be placed around each tree and shall remain in order to prevent the destruction or damage to roots, stems or crowns of such trees. The barriers shall remain in place and intact until such time as approved landscape operations begin; however, barriers may be removed temporarily to accommodate construction needs, provided the manner and purpose for such temporary removal will not harm the trees. The trees shall be properly irrigated throughout the building process. Trees damaged during construction shall be subject to the provisions of section 17-9.

(4)

If at all practical, underground utility lines, curbs and other above grade structures should be routed around existing trees to the outside of the drip line of the tree. In the event that this is not feasible, a tunnel made by a power-driven soil auger may be placed under the tree for installation of utility lines, or a trench passing by the side of the tree may be used for construction of curbing or to accommodate the installation of utility lines. If a trench is used, care should be taken that as few roots as possible are cut, that the cuts are made cleanly, and that the root ends are painted with a wound dressing of asphalt base paint and immediately covered with soil.

(5)

During construction, unless otherwise authorized by the tree removal permit, no excess soil, additional fill, equipment, liquids, or construction debris shall be placed within the drip line of any tree that is required to be preserved in its present location unless the addition of excess soil or fill is required in order to comply with either the flood criteria requirements contained in chapter 11C of the Code of Metropolitan Dade County, Florida, and/or federal flood regulations in high flood hazard locations.

(6)

Unless otherwise authorized by the tree removal permit, no soil is to be removed from within the drip line of any tree that is to remain at its original location.

(7)

No wires or utility service attachments, other than those of a protective nature, shall be attached to any tree.

(8)

Subsequent to construction or the satisfactory stabilizing of a tree, all protective devices shall be removed. The owner of the project on which the tree is located, the applicant for a tree permit or the individual performing physical moving of a tree, shall be fully liable and responsible for removal of the devices.

(b)

All trees transplanted pursuant to this article shall be maintained alive and healthy at the site of the transplant for a period six months following completion of construction work on the site. Any of such trees which die within such six months shall be replaced by the applicant. The code enforcement department shall retain jurisdiction to ensure compliance with this section.

(c)

Tree pruning/trimming. The pruning or trimming of any tree shall be done in accordance with ANSI A-300 Tree Care Standards and the guidelines illustrated in the landscape manual, incorporated by reference herein. The practice known as "hatracking" or "topping" is not permitted and shall be considered a violation of this article. The historic and environmental reservation board may require that a certified arborist monitor the trimming and provide the department with photographic documentation following the trimming. Any other tree abuse, or activity that can effectively destroy a tree, shall also be considered a violation of this article.

(Code 1967, § 64-10; Ord. No. 9769, § 1, 12-15-83; Code 1980, § 17-10; Ord. No. 13174, § 2, 5-13-10)