For example, in 2005 Bemidji adopted an ordinance that requires tree planting in parking lots, and some cities have a replacement policy for cut/lost trees, such as replacement at a 3:1 ratio, and specify the replacement tree caliper.
Enact requirements such as a tree preservation/replacement ordinance. Report protection of wooded areas by means of zoning or development review under best practice action 10.3
Address tree preservaton on both public and private lands, OR enact requirements such as removing requirements to establish turf grass (this does not refer to removing maintenance standards for turf grass) and permitting native landscaping throughout the city.
Acheive 1 and 2 Star rating AND adopt a policy of no net loss of one or more specified natural landscapes (woodlands, wetlands, bluffs, prairie, etc.).
Implementation details: The City of Burnsville has a Zoning Ordinance Woodland Preservation Overlay District. Please see attached PDF. In 2008, the city updated its landscape ordinance to promote native plantings.
Implementation details: Native plantings are permitted under Chapter 9, Section 9.71 of the City Code.
The City has an adopted tree preservation ordinance located within Chapter 11, Section 11.55 of the City Code.
Implementation details: The City has an ordinance on the preservation of trees and other vegetation for new subdivisions. It requires existing healthy trees and native vegetation on the site to be preserved to the maximum extent feasible and be protected by adequate means during construction. For new construction or expansion of an existing use a tree preservation plan should be submitted to the city prior to removing trees or commencing construction. Landscaping requirements for multifamily districts and nonresidential uses in residential districts state that the number of trees on the lot, tract, or parcel shall not be less than three plus the perimeter of the described area as measured in feet divided by 40. The total number of required trees may be offset by the provision of native grasses and wildflowers. Planting or preservation of native planting communities will receive credit for one tree per 500 square feet of native grass area.
Sec. 30-415. - Preservation of trees and other vegetation; tree planting requirements
Sec. 30-934. - Landscaping
Sec. 30-936. - Tree preservation plan
Implementation details: The City of Maple Grove established a Tree Preservation Ordinance in 1994. The City utilized Steigerwaldt Land Services, Inc. to catalog all existing forest stands and rate them based on the quality of the trees within. From this analysis, specific, legally described areas were designated as a Tree Preservation Overlay district.
The city purchased outright some of the highest quality forest land (approximately 65 acres of forest land) and restricts the amount of tree removal that can occur on private land covered by the district.
Implementation details: Chapter 22 of City Code includes the city's Tree Preservation Requirements, a strict set of requirements and incentives for preservation that protects the natural environment in Oakdale.
Implementation details: For new development or redevelopment, a Tree Preservation Plan is required as part of the City's Municipal Code, section 209: Environmental Standards. A tree preservation plan shall be submitted. This plan shall identify the trees to be preserved on the site and the methods to be employed to insure that the identified trees are not damaged during construction. These methods must be acceptable to the City. A Tree Replanting Plan, acceptable to the City, shall also be submitted. This plan shall provide for at least a one-for-one replacement, up to a maximum of 15 trees per acre, for any healthy tree(s) in excess of 4 inches in diameter, except the replacement threshold for boxelder, cottonwood, and willow trees shall be eight inches of diameter and except as required elsewhere in this Section for landmark trees. The replacement trees shall comply with the standards in Section 206.010(J). Trees preserved on the site shall count toward the 15 trees per acre maximum replacement requirement, except any trees required to be replaced to compensate for the removal of a landmark tree [Section 209.050(B)(2)(c)] shall be in addition to the requirements of this section.
In 2012 the City's vegetation Code was updated to allow for native landscaping.
Implementation details: Willmar's landscape ordinance includes public and private requirements to develop a tree preservation plan in order to retain tree as part of urban development. Parking areas are required to be landscaped in order to breakup the barren effect of hard surface parking areas.
Outcome measures/metrics: New developments are better shaded and more visually appealing. Natural vegetation improve storm water quality. More existing trees are preserved during new development.
Implementation details: Since 2004 the city has made an effort to minimize its turf maintenance activities, increase ecological diversity and reduce invasive species. The city requires the planting or seeding of native vegetation around stormwater ponds and wetlands, uses native plantings in landscaping features and uses county work crews to remove invasive species, such as buckthorn, from open space areas. The city is also using modified turf designs that require lower maintenance and less irrigation. The City has a policy in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan in chapter 8 page 8-15: “native plants, such as prairie plantings, will be used in parks and open space to reduce landscape maintenance requirements, to provide food and shelter for wildlife, to buffer shorelines, to control runoff and to discourage invasive and nuisance species.”
The municipal code, chapter 27, division 4, section 27-40 is titled Tree Protection Standards for Developing Properties. In order to preserve trees the City adopted this ordinance stating allowable tree removal and requiring a tree preservation plan be submitted from applicant.
Chapter 27, Division 6, Landscaping and Lawn care establishes the guidelines by which residents can plant native species in their yards. The purpose of this section of the ordinance is to protect those who wish to plant native species from complaints from neighbors who want a more consistent manicured look throughout their neighborhood.
Implementation details: (b) Apple Valleys Tree Preservation Ordinance (Sec 152.46) regulates tree removal and applies when >10% of significant trees are proposed to be removed from site. Tree replacement consists of replanting 10% of diameter-inches removed.
(c) When buffer zones are required around water bodies, Protective Buffer Zone Ordinance (Sec 152.57C.3.b.) requires native plants be used to establish buffer. Adopted City Ordinances do not specifically list native plants as an alternative to turf grass, but they do not disallow use of native plants or rain gardens as alternatives to turf grass. One commercial property in Apple Valley is planted entirely in big bluestem, which was approved during the development/plan review process. Additionally, Apple Valley has a cost share program for installation of rain gardens, native plant gardens, and shoreline restorations using native plants.
Implementation details: § 11.71 Tree Preservation
§ 7.06 Regulation of Grass, Weeds, and Trees in Streets - Subd 3. Duty of Property Owners to cut grass and weeds and maintain trees and shrubs: If the grass or weeds in a place attain a height in excess of six inches, it shall be prima facie evidence of a failure to comply with this subdivision. Every owner of property abutting on any street shall, subject to the provisions herein requiring a permit therefor, trim, cut, remove and otherwise maintain all trees and shrubs in unhazardous and healthy condition, from the line of the property nearest to the street to the center thereof.
§ 10.13 GRASS AND WEEDS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY - It is unlawful for any owner, occupant or agent of any lot or parcel of land in the city to allow any weeds or grass growing upon any such lot or parcel of land to grow to a greater height than six inches or to allow such weeds or grass to go to seed.
For more information contact: Janet Anderson (Elected official) | jkanderson@gofast.am | 507-433-1081
Implementation details: The City had adopted a Tree Preservation Ordinance that requires the replacement/mitigation of significant trees or woodlands removed during development in excess of an allowable removal limit of approximately 20-40%, as determined by the development type. The number of mitigation trees installed is determined by a formula based upon the size and type of the tree removed and size of the replacement. The ratio for replacement to removal ranges from 1:1 to 12:1.
Implementation details: The City adopted a revised landscape ordinance in 1998 to promote the addition of landscape materials in the City with tree requirments on boulevards at 1/40 ft. The ordinance also provides for screening requirements for incompatible uses.
Outcome measures/metrics: Additional landscaping is provided in the community and the ordinance requires screening though landscaping between incompatible uses.
Implementation details: The City has adopted a Woodland Preservation Ordinance which limits development impacts to any defined woodland area within the community, and requires that impacted trees be replaced at a 2:1 ratio. Tree preservation ordinance applies to both public and private lands, and for building permit and/or zoning action approval tree clearing and replacement plans are required for review. Scroll to Section 12 of linked ordinance.
The City also requires provision of perimeter landscaping for upon new development, and redevelopment of properties. Requirements call for planting of shade (deciduous) trees every 50 feet along frontage and parking lot perimeter, and planting of evergreen (coniferous) trees every 25 lineal feet. Credit is given for preservation of existing trees when feasible. See Mankato City Code, Section 10.88.
Mankato has been granted "Tree City USA" status.
Implementation details: The city has a tree replacement policy on both public an private property.
As a policy, we do not let the public do work on city owned/planted trees. We also inspect private trees and can ask people to do repair/remove trees, but if they don't, we do have jurisdiction over the private trees if they are potentially harmful to others or the environment.
We have ordinances in place for weeds and grass height in residential yards that would get in the way of the growth of natural vegetation.
Implementation details: Rochester has an ordinance that allows and encourages native species to be used for landscaping. 48.05
Natural landscape permits are available and required from the Park Department if the proposed landscape includes planting of native grasses that exceed 10 inches in height.
Implementation details: In an effort to protect the community's abundance of natural beauty, St. Cloud created the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Ordinance to help protect natural lands while allowing for development. Based on solid ecological information and written input from local developers, the ordinance is implemented by the City with the help of a local team of scientists. The success of the ordinance can be seen through the completion of over seventeen developments that balance protection yet see a return in investment.
St. Cloud has recently also implemented changes to the Disease Tree Ordinance allowing for condemnation of tress for the looming threat of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Implementation details: Several years ago Shorewood adopted a Tree Preservation and Reforestation ordinance which attempts to protect existing trees and replaces trees lost to construction activities.
Implementation details: The city has both a tree preservation ordinance and a tree replacement ordinance.
Link to tree ordinace:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1847
Link to preservation Ordinance:
http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1848
no. 16 
Best Practice Action 5
