{"id":17339,"date":"2020-03-04T11:59:47","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T14:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=17339"},"modified":"2024-12-15T00:18:56","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T03:18:56","slug":"raleigh-tree-regulations-rules-planting-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/north-carolina\/raleigh-nc\/raleigh-tree-regulations-rules-planting-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"Raleigh Tree Regulations: Rules for Planting Trees in the City of Oaks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The City of Oaks takes its trees very seriously, and the reason why is clear.<\/p>

\u201cBecause of all the benefits that trees provide: better air quality, better water quality, the aesthetic value, the habitat,\u201d says Chris Crum, Development Forester with the City of Raleigh.<\/p>

So if you\u2019re looking to plant a tree, Raleigh will thank you, but you need to know the rules.<\/p>

To a certain extent, you can do what you will on your own property, but if a planned tree planting or removal will impact a neighbor, city property or a city right-of-way, you\u2019ll have to follow some specific guidelines set out in the city code.<\/p>

Raleigh’s Tree-Planting Rules<\/h2>

In Raleigh\u2019s code of ordinances<\/a>, it says the city works to \u201cregulate and control the planting of trees and vegetation, to encourage the protection of existing trees and vegetation … and to establish the standard arboriculture specifications and practices.\u201d<\/p>

Most of those rules, Crum says, are for developers. For a developer proposing a new subdivision or similar project, the city requires essentially one tree every 40 feet.<\/p>

Crum works with developers to meet this requirement, including finding existing trees to fill the quota. Also, any lot over 2 acres must preserve 10% to 15% of the trees on that lot, depending on zoning.<\/p>

Tree Impact Permits<\/h2>

So any tree located partly or entirely within city property or city right-of-way, including boundary trees, are covered under the ordinance.<\/p>

To do any work within 15 feet of trees fitting that description, a developer or homeowner must get a tree impact permit.<\/p>

Not doing so can land you in hot water. The code lays out a $250 fine for a first-time violation of the tree rules, and $500 for any repeat violations within one year of that first fine.<\/p>

But fear not, in almost 70 pages, the Raleigh City Tree Manual<\/a> lays out everything the homeowner needs to know about trees in the City of Oaks.<\/p>

Which Trees?<\/h2>

Any tree wholly on a homeowner\u2019s private property is fair game. Say you\u2019ve got an old decaying sweet gum or a smelly, burdensome Bradford pear (one of the worst trees to plant in Raleigh<\/a>) in the backyard, you can cut them down without any interference from the city.<\/p>

The same goes for planting a new one in your backyard.<\/p>

But it can get confusing. Some people might not understand where the property lines are, Crum says.<\/p>

What about the tree that\u2019s right beside the sidewalk and hangs out over the road? Rows of trees along streets are essentially the city\u2019s trees, he says. You\u2019ll need a permit for any work to disturb that one.<\/p>

The same goes for planting one along the street or sidewalk. And in that case, the city is ready to help.<\/p>

Neigborwoods Program a Success<\/h2>

For about 10 years, the city ran an initiative called the Neighborwoods<\/a> Tree Planting program that partnered with citizens in the community to plant and care for street trees in residential neighborhoods.<\/p>

The program provided the trees free of charge in exchange for a neighborhood pledge to plant and maintain those trees.<\/p>

Between 2003 and 2013, the program planted more than 10,500 trees. It worked so well it essentially canceled the need for itself, Crum says.<\/p>

We “kind of got all the trees in there,\u201d he says. It began doing more outreach instead of actual tree plantings.<\/p>

Now, the city requires development plans to plant trees as part of its development requirements, meaning new subdivisions will already have them.<\/p>

But, neighborhoods still come to the city with requests, he says, and the city still works with neighborhoods to recruit volunteers and get more trees planted.<\/p>

Tree Selection<\/h2>

When it comes to which trees get planted in Raleigh, the Tree Manual also offers some guidance.<\/p>

Any tree planted on city-owned or city-controlled property \u201cshall be of a cultivar that is superior in form and disease resistance.\u201d Special preference is given for trees uniquely adapted to urban environments.<\/p>

It forbids planting exotic invasive species. The city’s full-time urban forester reviews every selection, whether you plant it yourself or call a tree-care specialist<\/a>.<\/p>

While exotic species get the thumbs-down, the city still encourages species diversity to improve the overall health of the city\u2019s urban forest.<\/p>

Suggested Trees<\/h2>

Some suggested trees included in the manual include:<\/p>