Valued Trees
Tree Protection Ordinance
In April 2016, the Grantwood Village Trustees passed an ordinance to establish the Village Tree Board with the responsibility to advise the Village on protecting our community forest. Later in 2017, the Board of Trustees passed the Valued Tree Protection Ordinance intended to preserve our valued trees within Grantwood Village while ensuring the reasonable enjoyment and improvement of private property.
The key features of the new ordinance include:
- Defines a valued tree as a native canopy tree (oak, hickory, walnut, etc.) at least ten inches in diameter or any other mature tree that is at least sixteen inches in diameter when measured at 48-inches above grade.
- The homeowner needs to hire a certified arborist to perform or supervise the removal and pruning of valued trees. (A list of approved tree care companies is available—see below) Or the homeowner may perform the work themselves when they agree to comply with the Village Arboricultural Standards (ANSI standards).
- A tree permit is required to prune more than one-fifth of the crown or existing foliage or remove a valued tree. The tree care company shall apply for the tree permit (see below). A permit will not be required when a tree is imminently hazardous to life or property or unduly interferes with utilities.
- All construction projects that require a building permit will be evaluated to determine if a Tree Protection Plan will also be required.
- Whenever a valued tree is approved for removal due to disease, hazard, or for an approved construction project, a replacement tree shall be planted.
- Topping of any tree on public or private property shall be illegal.
Tree Removal and Pruning Permits on Residential Properties
Step One: Village Arborist Consultation
If you have tree work that needs to be done, please contact Kevin Kelso Chairman 314-504-0700 to determine if you need the village’s consulting arborist to perform a tree risk assessment and whether the work requires a tree permit from the village (see #2 below). This service is provided at no charge to the resident by the village.
In addition, the Tree Board created the homeowner’s tree care kit to help residents learn more about how to maintain and protect their trees. If you would like to receive a homeowner’s tree care kit or a list of recommended tree species for replacing lost trees or adding more trees to the home landscape, please contact Laura Yates at 314-842-8374 or lmy555@outlook.com.
Step Two: Tree Permit Application Process
1. Tree Permits Required: Tree permits are required for removing the whole tree or pruning more than 20% of live limbs, foliage, or canopy of any valued tree.
Definition of valued tree: any native tree greater than 10 inches in diameter or any non-native tree greater than 16 inches in diameter. Measure diameter at 48 inches above ground or Diameter at Breast Height (DBH).
A tree permit application must still be submitted for removing dead trees or when responding to storm damage or emergencies ($50 tree permit fee is waived).
2. Approved Tree Care Company: The homeowner needs to hire tree care company that has a certified arborist on staff to perform or supervise the removal and pruning of valued trees. The tree care company must also have an active business license with Grantwood Village. The Tree Board recommends that residents use a qualified professional to safely work on their trees. Or the homeowner may perform the work themselves when they agree to comply with the Village Arboricultural Standards (ANSI standards).
The Tree Board verifies tree care companies meet the qualification requirements in the Village tree protection ordinance:
CERTIFIED ARBORIST: Does have ISA-certified arborist on staff; does have valid Grantwood Village business license. Approved to prune live limbs on valued trees, to remove deadwood from valued trees and remove dead valued trees.
NON-CERTIFIED ARBORIST: Does NOT have ISA-certified arborist on staff; does have valid Grantwood Village business license. ONLY approved to remove deadwood from valued trees and remove dead valued trees.
Link to Approved Businesses with 2022 Licenses:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CGlwMebJgjzR_Lo0motIZmElxfS4wu9q02ayiqTNWoU/edit?usp=sharing
3. Complete the on-line tree permit application form.
Please note: In order to sign and submit the form, save the form to your computer and open it up in Adobe to fill it out. Then select the submit button to email the form back to Kevin Kelso, trustees@grantwoodvillage.us.
4. Submit $50 tree permit fee: By Check or Money Order
The $50 tree permit fee is waived for removing dead trees or when responding to storm damage or emergencies.
5. Submit copy of consulting arborist report or tree care company proposal: Email to lmy555@outlook.com
Instead of electronic submittal, hardcopies of the tree permit application documents can be mailed to One Missionary Ridge, Grantwood Village, 63123