TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY 2016
www.pisamoorings.co.nz
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1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy is to give effect to a Rule of the PMUS Constitution. Sec 2 lists the Aims and Objects for which the Society is incorporated. Sec 2 (b)(ii) states the Society is to own and maintain a list of services, one of which is:
Landscaping and irrigation as specified in As Built Underground Service Plan preparing in October 1994 in respect of Pisa Moorings developments by Paterson Pitts and Partners"
2 POLICY OBJECTIVES
• To recognise the Pisa Moorings Utility Societies’ (PMUS) community’s well-being is influenced by the Tree landscape and the benefit it provides and the value of existing trees contributes to the identity of Pisa Moorings.
• To elaborate on the Central Otago District Council (CODC) District Tree Management and Operational Guidelines dated August 2011 and provide operational guidelines specific to the PMUS administrative area.
• To recognise the trees in the PMUS administrative area, are considered a long term asset requiring active management to ensure effective enhancement of the amenity, ecology and environment of the area.
• To strike a balance between the public benefit and amenity of high quality trees, the requirements of individual members and to protect the PMUS infrastructure.
• To generally protect and where necessary replace the mature tree assets that are growing in the PMUS administrative area as outlined in the map appended to this document.
• To provide direction on species selection and high standards of arboriculture processes to ensure the benefits of well managed trees are realised.
• To provide a framework for the PMUS to work with residents to ensure appropriate outcomes are achieved.
• To encourage all members of the PMUS to take a positive and collaborative approach to the management of the area’s trees within the guidelines set out in this policy.
3 BACKGROUND
The PMUS first planted trees on the street verges, berms and some reserve areas in the mid to late 1990’s and installed an irrigation drip line system.
The trees planted were predominantly Silver Birch based on advice received at that time as to what was suitable for the environment.
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PMUS is responsible for the management of all trees and irrigation drip lines on the street verges (berms) for the area from Pisa Mooring Road to the boat ramp as out lined in the map appended hereto and referred to in the document as the PMUS administrative area.
Over time the existing tree roots have proved to be quite destructive with their fine roots creeping into and blocking the irrigation and other water systems. In some instances they have effectively completely encircled and crushed some of the PMUS’s water supply lines. It is feared that it is only a matter of time before those roots will completely strangle a member’s water supply.
4 POLICY STATEMENT 4.1 Planning:
• This policy applies only to the road verges and public spaces in the PMUS administrative area outlined in the map appended to this document.
• The PMUS community are the registered members of the PMUS as recorded by the PMUS Secretary.
• The PMUS will research and identify a small selection of replacement trees that have been identified as suitable for our environment and requirements as outlined in this Tree Management Policy.
• The PMUS committee will develop a structured plan for the management, removal and replacement of trees as a separate document, in the form of a staged implementation plan in accordance with this Tree Management Policy.
4.2 Education:
• The PMUS will identify a Qualified Arborist to be appointed as the “PMUS Arborist” to provide advice to the PMUS Committee in planning and management of the tree landscape.
• The PMUS Arborist will made aware of this Tree Management Policy and their contact details published on the PMUS web site so readily accessible to all members.
• Any advice requested from the PMUS Arborist will be at the cost of the person seeking the advice. The PMUS will not be liable for any services or advice provided to any individual member or other person or organisation unless the PMUS specifically agrees to pay for that in writing prior to the advice being requested.
4.3 Management:
The PMUS will ensure the on-going viability of the area’s tree-scape through:
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• Planning - by species selection, operational specifications and future needs.
• Effectiveness – by pruning, planting, watering or other management practices, and in certain circumstances protecting and removing vegetation.
4.4 Replacement Planning
The PMUS will conserve and sustain our Tree-scape by supporting programmed replacement planting schemes in accordance with a staged implementation plan to be developed by the PMUS Committee. The staged implementation plan will take into consideration the following:
• Trees identified as ‘Problematic’ will be replaced as a priority. An example of problematic includes trees that interfere with street lighting, threaten our underground water supply infrastructure, roading, CODC infrastructure and members’ property. Refer section 4. below.
• Planting is maintained in a manner consistent with the Tree Planting Guide appended herewith and the overall concept and original design intentions of the PMUS area.
• Planting is designed for low maintenance while also providing colour and aesthetic appeal.
• Future amenities, footpaths, available funds.
• The CODC Tree management guidelines
4.5 Removal of Trees on PMUS administered land
4.5.1 Trees on PMUS administered land can be removed if the trees are considered by the PMUS or our PMUS Arborist to meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. The tree is an identified threat to:
o public or individual health; or o public property, or
o private property.
Where a tree is requested to be removed for public or individual health reasons, PMUS will take into account the trees species in question and any qualifying supporting medical documentation specific to the individual requesting the removal.
2. The tree is interfering with infrastructure services or within the tolerance zones for overhead services;
3. The tree is likely to be in a diseased or dying condition which cannot be improved by treatment;
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5. The ongoing health of the tree itself or trees in the direct vicinity is affected e.g.
overcrowded berms; or
6. The tree is deemed to be an inappropriate size or species for the location.
4.5.2 Where the PMUS receives a request to remove a tree on PMUS administered land that does not fall within the criteria specified in clause 3.5.1 of the Policy, the PMUS Committee may approve or decline the request.
1. In exercising discretion under this clause, the PMUS Committee may consult with the PMUS Arborist and any other expert, and may impose conditions, including the payment of a fee.
2. Any person granted approval to remove a tree under this clause will generally be required to fund the removal of the tree and replacement planting.
Note: Wherever possible, when a tree is removed it will be replaced. The replacement will be a species appropriate to the location and from the Tree Species Guideline appended hereto.
4.6 Pruning of Trees on PMUS administered land
The PMUS does allow individuals to prune on PMUS administered land. Regarding the process for pruning trees, the individual is expected to understand good pruning practice that enhances the amenity value of the tree.
This policy does not apply to any trees located on reserve land that is administered by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) or other Agency.
The PMUS will ensure trees are pruned to alleviate hazards e.g. electrical conductors, public footpaths, carriageways, emergency situations. These hazards can be urgent or non-urgent.
The PMUS will prune for view, shade and light purposes at the request of a resident where, in the opinion of the PMUS Arborist, pruning will be consistent with good arboricultural processes and being consistent with the general intent of the Principles of this policy.
Where, as a result there is a private benefit, such as for views, shade and/or light, the
requester(s) will generally be required to fund the full costs of the PMUS Arborist and pruning.
4.7 Assistance with Removal of Debris from Trees on PMUS administered land
Where assistance is requested by a resident living at a property that is affected by falling debris (leaves, seeds and twigs) from Notable trees or trees on PMUS administered land, the following application criteria will apply:
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• The applicant is physically and financially (as measured by receipt of Rates Rebate under Rates Rebate Scheme) unable to maintain the property which is being affected by debris from a tree located on public land; or
• Where there are exceptional circumstances Assistance will only be available to premises used solely for residential purpose.
4.8 Appeal
Any person or entity has the right to appeal any decision made under section 3.5 to 3.7 directly to the elected committee of the PMUS for determination, and if necessary by formal resolution at a PMUS Special General meeting.
4.9 Community Engagement, Consultation and Communication.
(Subject to confirmation: The PMUS has distributed this Policy prior to the AGM in 2016 and invited submissions to the AGM. Following discussion and direction from the AGM the policy was finalised in accordance with the directions from that AGM. )
Communication with members regarding any matter of tree removal or replacement will be by notification to the address on the PMUS Members register held by the PMUS Secretary, using the members preferred method of communication. Where no preferred method has been recorded, then via email. If no email address is held, then postal to a New Zealand address.
All communication will either:
a. Inform or
b. Inform and consult
When communicating on general tree matters the process will be informative.
When communicating regarding petitions the process is consultative.
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Appendix - Tree Species Guideline
The following is a summary of the current situation with suggestions as a guide for discussion with arborist and the final implementation plan.
The species chosen should be suitable for the purpose - attractive, shapely, not too vigorous, not too spreading, preferably with a root system that is not too invasive.
One tree species will not necessarily be appropriate in all areas. The PMUS streets currently fall into three types of planting, each of which may require different treatment.
The implementation plan will need to specify one new tree species for the main avenue (Betula Jacquemontii) and one species for each side street, either rowans or claret ash. These should be stipulated and any new trees MUST abide by the selected species for their street.
1. The "avenue" of birches from SH6 along Pisa Moorings Road then up Ferry Lane to the boat ramp.
• Highly visible
• Give character and amenity to whole subdivision
• Least messed about with
• Symmetry and simplicity
These characteristics should be retained at all costs.
Suggest Betula jacquemontii
2. The side streets off Ferry Lane. These have also been planted out with birches, but these are not as highly visible as the "avenue".
• Trees are not generally in such good condition
• More gaps from deaths and removals
• Encroachment of gardens onto verges
• Lower visibility
These trees could be replaced with species other than birches, eg Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan)
or Fraxinus raywoodii (Claret ash) or not replaced at all
3. Wakefield Lane and Pisa Moorings Road past Ferry Lane
The street trees in this area are quite different from areas 1) and 2)
• Mixed species
• Many not in good condition
• Greater spacing
• Low visibility
The trees in these streets require housekeeping rather than replacement - removal of dead
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wood, pruning, etc
The following trees have been suggested as appropriate for planting in the PMUS administered area.
Prior to formalising and publicising this Tree Policy, the PMUS committee will seek confirmation from the PMUS Arborist that none of these will have the very fine and / or destructive roots as experienced with our current silver birch.
• Claret Ash (Fraxinus Raywoodii / Angustifolia)
Attractive medium-sized tree of compact habit. Rich claret foliage in autumn. Great specimen or avenue tree. Deciduous. Hardy. Possibly too wide after 15 years - 10m x 6m
• White Himalayan Birch (Betula Jacquemontii)
Fast-growing, beautiful snow-white bark that would retain the ‘silver avenue’ appearance.
Upright erect trunks which can be trimmed upward with deep-green glossy leaves, and yellow autumn foliage. Deciduous. Hardy. A beautiful species with much to recommend it:
12m x 4m. The upright form of growth would not spread over "footpaths", would not outgrow its situation.
However on the other hand; It would require irrigation, may not have a user friendly root system. This could be overcome by placing drippers above ground? By not planting over water mains?
These are planted as an avenue in the main street of Lawrence and they look stunning, and still not very big after 6-7 years.
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• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) alias Mountain Ash
The bark is smooth, silvery grey of young trees, becoming scaly pale grey-brown and occasionally fissured on old trees. The leaves turn a yellow-rust colour in autumn.
It has clusters of white flowers in late spring. After flowering masses of bright red or orange- red berries develop lasting through winter.
Rowan is very tolerant of cold and is often found at high altitudes than other exotics trees.
Attractive and not too large 12mx7m
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