Infrastructure vs trees

D Mc · 9th December 2007, 09:14 AM

We would like to ask for information relevant to tree decline and/or failure due to conflict with city infrastructure. Pictures, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

WE know the how and why they fail. We are looking for examples, documentation, pictures that will help illustrate and drive the point home to administrators within a city that DO NOT understand.

This last year we became involved in a tree vs sidewalk repair dispute. We had been requested to perform a restoration trimming on a 100+ year old landmark tree in front of an old historic house within the city. The city then came along and "repaired" the sidewalk AFTER we had made several telephone calls to the dept requesting a variance.

We since made it our mission not to let this happen again.

D Mc and S Mc

Ekka · 9th December 2007, 01:43 PM

There's a ppt file in the first post at this thread.

http://www.treeworld.info/f29/preven...guide-756.html

Report it as malicious damage, in writing, using this thread just email them the link.

I do that a lot, here's some examples.

Linwood st & Pine Mountain Rd Carindale hazard trees ATT BCC

Exposing another shame file

Logan City Council please explain! I wonder if there were casualties?

D Mc · 9th December 2007, 02:15 PM

We were successful in stopping the sidewalk project for the season and now have the winter to prepare a seminar on consequences to trees when repairing infrastructure. These people are not going to read a bunch of arboriculture books; although we did actually buy them the book Reducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots (which they read and appreciated).

This is now a matter of staying proactive and assisting in educating the Public Works Dept that just because a tree is still upright and has a few green leaves does not necessarily translate to a healthy and stable tree.

We need pictures of the consequences. Articles on similar situations focusing on the potential outcome. They kept saying "but the trees aren't dead yet" and where we have been able to win a few people over, we need to keep driving the information home. Actual cases in other cities are going to carry a lot more weight than just our opinion of what MIGHT happen.

They kept blowing us off before by saying "the concrete guy said it wouldn't hurt the trees". Yeah, right,

like he knows more than the arborists about trees....

D and S Mc

Ekka · 9th December 2007, 02:20 PM

Treeseer has a document of a tree that failed due to sidewalk work years before, I think some-one was injured or killed. I'll PM him.

D Mc · 9th December 2007, 02:22 PM

Thanks, that's exactly the type of shock factor we need to press the issue home.

D and S Mc

Ekka · 9th December 2007, 02:40 PM

Also, there's this thread.

Fallen trees| negligence vs Act of God

Basically once you have informed them and documented such then they're liable too! Duty of Care.

treeseer · 14th December 2007, 08:09 PM

Reducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots

ok here is a case study from north Carolina USA, a report I did 4 years ago. I think that is what eric was talking aboutVarious forms have been published in various newsletters. I call it "Due Care and Sidewalk Repair".

D Mc · 15th December 2007, 02:40 PM

Thanks, Guy. In dealing with municipalties (or at least in this case) we found that you need to keep the information coming to get the point across and to keep it from being lost to other "more important" projects.

We were absolutely appalled after trimming out a silver maple that the City came in and severed roots. This after numerous calls requesting a variance and a face to face discussion with the concrete contractor on what could and could not be done.

Since that time, I have appeared numerous times in front of the City Council, written speeches and basically stayed visible (some might say making a pain of myself). But we have been successful in getting them to listen. First we bought the Public Works Dept the book you referenced "Reducing Infrastruce Damage" by Costello, took it in and told them to read it. We have been requested to give an informational lecture on trees and their unique difficulties vs infrastructure, and have assisted in the positive decision for the City to hire a City Arborist for guidance in such matters.

But until we see actual progress of learning we plan to stay proactive. The more information the better.

Thanks again.

S Mc - Cert Arb #RM-7117A (working toward BCMA)

9th December 2007, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Infrastructure vs trees There's a ppt file in the first post at this thread. http://www.treeworld.info/f29/preven...guide-756.html Report it as malicious damage, in writing, using this thread just email them the link. I do that a lot, here's some examples. Linwood st & Pine Mountain Rd Carindale hazard trees ATT BCC Exposing another shame file Logan City Council please explain! I wonder if there were casualties? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

9th December 2007, 02:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
D Mc Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 72	Re: Infrastructure vs trees We were successful in stopping the sidewalk project for the season and now have the winter to prepare a seminar on consequences to trees when repairing infrastructure. These people are not going to read a bunch of arboriculture books; although we did actually buy them the book Reducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots (which they read and appreciated). This is now a matter of staying proactive and assisting in educating the Public Works Dept that just because a tree is still upright and has a few green leaves does not necessarily translate to a healthy and stable tree. We need pictures of the consequences. Articles on similar situations focusing on the potential outcome. They kept saying "but the trees aren't dead yet" and where we have been able to win a few people over, we need to keep driving the information home. Actual cases in other cities are going to carry a lot more weight than just our opinion of what MIGHT happen. They kept blowing us off before by saying "the concrete guy said it wouldn't hurt the trees". Yeah, right, like he knows more than the arborists about trees.... D and S Mc

9th December 2007, 02:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Infrastructure vs trees Treeseer has a document of a tree that failed due to sidewalk work years before, I think some-one was injured or killed. I'll PM him. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

9th December 2007, 02:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
D Mc Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 72	Re: Infrastructure vs trees Thanks, that's exactly the type of shock factor we need to press the issue home. D and S Mc

9th December 2007, 02:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,943	Re: Infrastructure vs trees Also, there's this thread. Fallen trees\| negligence vs Act of God Basically once you have informed them and documented such then they're liable too! Duty of Care. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th December 2007, 02:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
D Mc Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 72	Re: Infrastructure vs trees Thanks, Guy. In dealing with municipalties (or at least in this case) we found that you need to keep the information coming to get the point across and to keep it from being lost to other "more important" projects. We were absolutely appalled after trimming out a silver maple that the City came in and severed roots. This after numerous calls requesting a variance and a face to face discussion with the concrete contractor on what could and could not be done. Since that time, I have appeared numerous times in front of the City Council, written speeches and basically stayed visible (some might say making a pain of myself). But we have been successful in getting them to listen. First we bought the Public Works Dept the book you referenced "Reducing Infrastruce Damage" by Costello, took it in and told them to read it. We have been requested to give an informational lecture on trees and their unique difficulties vs infrastructure, and have assisted in the positive decision for the City to hire a City Arborist for guidance in such matters. But until we see actual progress of learning we plan to stay proactive. The more information the better. Thanks again. S Mc - Cert Arb #RM-7117A (working toward BCMA)

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