16.5 Maplewood

The City has both a tree preservation and tree replacement ordinance. The ordinance requires a tree plan to be submitted for City review prior to development for all new or redeveloped sites. The plan must reflect all significant trees on the site. A significant tree is defined as a hardwood tree that is 6 inches or larger, conifer tree that is 8 inches or larger, and a softwood tree that is 12 inches or larger. The plan must identify which of the significant trees will be removed and which will be preserved. A tree replacement calculation measures the overall caliper inches of significant trees on the site versus caliper inches of significant trees removed, and any specimen trees (trees over 28 inches) that will be preserved. The tree replacement calculation encourages developers to preserve specimen and significant trees through creative site layout rather than clear cutting an entire lot. Replacement trees must be planted on site, or if there is not enough room a developer can pay into the City's tree fund at a rate of $60 per caliper inch of replacement tree that cannot be planted on site. The City uses the tree fund to manage trees in public spaces and help fund the City's annual tree sale. The ordinance requires a tree protection plan for all trees scheduled to be preserved, ensuring tree saving zones and soil preservation measures. It also outlines replacement for trees that were scheduled to be preserved but were damaged due to development.