Tree Advisory Board — Agenda Packet

MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM LOCATION: Germantown Village Hall Conference Room A N112W17001 Mequon Road NOTICE: Citizens not wishing to attend the meeting personally or virtually may submit any public comments by sending an email to comments@germantownwi.gov by 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting so that it can be provided to the members of the body for their consideration. AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action. II. ROLL CALL: III. INTRODUCTIONS: IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS: V. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed. VI. NEW BUSINESS: A. Section 1.331 Tree Advisory Board Municipal Code Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) B. Village Comprehensive Tree Program Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) C. Section 17.60 Trees Municipal Code Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) D. Germantown Approved Tree List Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) VII. NEXT MEETING: VIII. ADJOURNMENT: UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, please contact the Village Clerk at (262)250-4745 at least 2 days prior to the meeting. Notice is hereby given that a possible quorum of other boards, committees, and/or commissions may attend this meeting to gather information about an item over which they have decision-making responsibility. This may constitute a meeting of these bodies per State ex rel. Badke v Greendale Village Board, even though these bodies will not take formal action at this meeting. Page 1 of 43 BUSINESS OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING DATE: March 5, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Section 1.331 Tree Advisory Board Municipal Code Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. GermantownWICodeofOrdinances (5) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 2 of 43 Created: 2026-01-06 12:38:23 [EST] (Supp. No. 30) Page 1 of 1 1.331 TREE ADVISORY BOARD. (Cr. Ord. #05-2025) (1) CREATION. There is hereby created a Tree Advisory Board of the Village of Germantown. (2) MEMBERSHIP. The Tree Advisory Board shall consist of 3 regular members. The membership shall consist of a Village Trustee, one citizen, and the Village Forester. The Village Trustee and citizen members shall be appointed by the Village President and confirmed by the Village Board. (3) TERM. The Village Trustee and citizen members shall be appointed for staggered two-year terms. The initial appointment of the Village Trustee shall be for one year, and the initial appointment of the citizen member shall be for two years. In the event that the term of the Village Trustee member extends beyond that person's term of office on the Village Board, a vacancy shall be deemed to exist which shall be filled for the residue of the term in the manner provided for in section 1.331(2). The Village Forester shall hold office conterminous with their appointment as the Forester. (4) CHAIR. The Village Trustee member shall be the chairperson of the Tree Advisory Board. (5) MEETINGS. Meetings of the Tree Advisory Board shall occur at the call of the chairman or a majority of the members of the Board. (6) DUTIES AND AUTHORITY. (a) The Board shall render such advice and recommendations as it deems appropriate with respect to the Comprehensive Tree Plan. (b) The Board shall annually render advice and recommendation to the Public Works and Highways Committee with respect to the Village's annual operation plan, communication plan, and 5-year plan. The Board shall also render such advice, recommendation, or report as may be requested by the Plan Commission, Public Works and Highways Committee, and/or Village Board. (c) The Board shall hear and decide appeals under section 17.60(9). Page 3 of 43 BUSINESS OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING DATE: March 5, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Village Comprehensive Tree Program Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Comprehensive Tree Plan - Adopted 081924 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 4 of 43 1 The Village of Germantown Comprehensive Tree Plan Adopted: August 20, 2024 Revised: N/A Matt Mortwedt, Director of Public Works Scott Anderson, Superintendent of Highways, Parks Buildings & Grounds Nathan Schuettpelz, Village Forester Page 5 of 43 2 The Village of Germantown Comprehensive Tree Plan In the heart of the Village of Germantown lies a natural treasure—a vibrant urban forest that not only enhances the beauty of our community but also serves as a vital asset for our environment, economy, and quality of life. Recognizing the invaluable benefits that trees provide, from purifying our air and water to mitigating climate change and enhancing biodiversity, the Village is committed to fostering the sustainable management and stewardship of our urban forest for generations to come. This comprehensive tree plan represents a collaborative effort between municipal leaders, community stakeholders, and environmental experts to establish a strategic framework for the preservation, enhancement, and responsible utilization of our tree resources. Grounded in sound science, best practices, and community engagement, this plan seeks to address the diverse needs and priorities of our residents while ensuring the long-term health, resilience, and sustainability of our urban forest ecosystem. Through this plan, we aspire to achieve the following key objectives: 1. Promote Biodiversity and Resilience: By prioritizing the planting of native tree species and fostering a diverse urban forest canopy, we aim to enhance ecological resilience, support local wildlife habitat, and minimize the risk of pest outbreaks and disease epidemics. 2. Enhance Public Health and Well-being: Trees play a crucial role in improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, and providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation. By strategically planting and maintaining trees in our neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces, we can promote physical and mental well-being for all residents. 3. Ensure Safety and Infrastructure Protection: Proper tree management, including pruning, removal, and maintenance, is essential for mitigating potential hazards such as falling limbs, root damage to infrastructure, and obstruction of utility lines. Through proactive risk assessment and management strategies, we aim to safeguard public safety and protect valuable assets. 4. Foster Community Engagement and Education: Engaging residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations in tree planting, care, and advocacy efforts is critical for building a culture of environmental stewardship and resilience. By providing educational resources, volunteer opportunities, and outreach initiatives, we seek to empower individuals and groups to take an active role in caring for our urban forest. 5. Ensure Equitable Access and Distribution: Every neighborhood in the Village of Germantown deserves equitable access to the benefits of trees, regardless of socio-economic status or geographic location. Through strategic planning and resource allocation, we will prioritize tree planting and maintenance efforts in underserved areas to promote social equity and environmental justice. As we embark on this journey to cultivate a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for the Village of Germantown, we invite all residents, businesses, and stakeholders to join us in this collective endeavor. Together, we can harness the power of trees to enrich our community, Page 6 of 43 3 strengthen our resilience to environmental challenges, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. The Comprehensive Tree Plan and the Village of Germantown Code of Ordinances. This Comprehensive Tree Plan was developed to meet the requirements set forth in the Village of Germantown code of ordinances, section 17.60. The plan is intended to supplement provisions 17.60 and meet the requirements outlined therein. This plan serves as a guide for Department of Public Works staff and residents. The plan sets expectations for how Village owned trees are managed. Appendices: Appendix A – Tree Planting Standards Checklist Appendix B – Tree Pruning Standards Checklist Appendix C – Tree Removal Standards Checklist Appendix D - Required Forestry Budget Appendix E – Non-Residential Development Street Tree Requirements Appendix F - Permit Urban and Rural Trees in the Right of Way. The Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains all trees within the right of way (ROW), also referred to as street trees. The right of way is a type of easement granted or reserved over the land for transportation purposes, such as roads, paths, transmission lines, pipelines, etc. Within the Village of Germantown, the right-of-way is most typically denoted for the purpose of roadway construction or maintenance. The land itself is owned directly by the Village and is not part of the adjacent property. DPW staff will maintain rural trees in the ROW and contract for tree maintenance in the ROW in more urban areas. Page 7 of 43 4 Image 1 – Right of way Image 2 – Urban (red) and Rural (blue) areas Trees in Parks and on Village Owned Property. In addition to ROW trees, the DPW maintains all Village of Germantown Park trees, and trees on other property owned by the Village, such as properties with Village facilities. Park tree maintenance is conducted in a manner consistent with urban trees, discussed later in this plan. Private Trees. The Village of Germantown does not plant or maintain trees on private property. Private trees are only subject to being maintained by DPW when the private tree affects the lives, health, safety and welfare of the public, public property or property owned or controlled by the Village. 1. The tree is determined to be a public nuisance in accordance with municipal code 17.60(5)a. 2. The tree is determined to be hazardous in accordance with municipal code 17.60(5)c. Only when these provisions have been met will the Village of Germantown act upon, or compel action, upon private trees. Absent these criteria, private trees are considered a private matter. Issues between residents regarding private trees are also private. The Village of Germantown is responsible for maintenance of right-of-way trees (street trees). Page 8 of 43 5 Tree Planting and Tree Replacement Planting and Replacement Program Goals. The Village of Germantown seeks to grow the urban forest through a planting and replacement initiative. The goals of the planting program are to increase canopy cover, diversify tree species, enhance the public health and well-being, mitigate urban heat island effect, improve air quality, improve water quality, improve stormwater management, and provide greater biodiversity and habitat. Planting Season. The time of year a tree is planted can greatly affect the tree’s establishment because newly planted trees require water to survive and grow. Planting during the spring and fall will help ensure tree establishment and survival. The planting season in Germantown extends from April 1 – June 15 in the spring and September 15 – October 31 in the fall. Planting during this timeframe is recommended. If a planting permit is issued outside of the ideal planting season, the Superintendent of Highway, Buildings and Grounds may defer planting until the next planting season to promote survivability. The Superintendent will also factor in the species and location when deciding on exceptions to the planting season. Planting Cycle. The Village plans to fill vacant planting sites over a five-year period. Image 3 - Five Year Vacant Planting Map Species Diversity. Lessons learned from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) epidemic have resulted in a more tempered approach to urban tree species selection. In the past the “30-20-10" planting rule was used which stated you wouldn’t plant more than thirty percent from one family, no more than twenty percent from one genus and no more than 10 percent from one species. Municipalities that Page 9 of 43 6 followed this rule, or perhaps maintained even less tree diversity, may have lost as many as one in five trees because of EAB. The Village of Germantown now adopts a “20-10-5” rule. This means that no more than twenty percent of trees will be planted from one family, no more than ten percent from one genus and no more than five percent from one species. This rule will be evaluated in future years as current research seems to indicate that even more species diversity may be required to ensure the most resilient urban forest. It is also worth noting that diversity should address age, size and location and those factors should play a role in decisions that are made regarding new planting. Geographic Information System (GIS). The Germantown GIS must be updated with the location, species and year planted for all trees. Similarly, if an identified tree plot is left vacant the GIS must be updated. Condition Assessment: Over a 5-year cycle, the Village will conduct a condition assessment of all urban trees identified in GIS. The condition rating will be added as an attribute to the tree asset in GIS. Approved Tree List. The following trees are approved for planting in the ROW and parks: SMALL TREES Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Amelanchier arborea Downy Serviceberry Amelanchier x grandiflora Apple Serviceberry ‘Autumn Brilliance', ‘Robin Hill’ Amelanchier laevis Allegheny Serviceberry ‘Cumulus’, ‘Lustre’ Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam ‘Firespire’ Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud Crataegus crusgalli inermis Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn Crataegus viridis Winter King Hawthorn ‘Winter King’ Maackia amurensis Amur Maackia ‘Starburst’, ‘Summertime’, ‘JFS-Schichtel1’ Malus spp. Flowering Crabapple ‘Adirondack’, ‘Jewelcole’, ‘Bob White', 'Harvest Gold', ‘Jackii’, 'Prairiefire', ‘Professor Sprenger’, 'Red Bud', ‘Royal Raindrops’, ‘Sugar Tyme’, ‘Lanzam’, ‘Hargozam’ Ostrya virginiana Ironwood Page 10 of 43 7 Syringa pekinensis Peking Lilac ‘China Snow' Syringa reticulata Japanese Tree Lilac ‘Ivory Silk', 'Summer Snow', ‘Snowcap’, ‘Ivory Pillar’, ‘Snowdance’ Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry Dogwood ‘Golden Glory’ Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry ‘JFS-KW58’ MEDIUM TREES Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Aesculus glabra Ohio Buckeye ‘Sunset’ Cladrastis kentuckea American Yellowwood Carpinus betulus Hornbeam ‘JFS-KW1CB’; ‘Fastigiata’ Phellodendron amurense Amur Cork tree Nyssa sylvatica Black Tupelo Tilia spp. Linden ‘Crimean’; ‘Harvest Gold’; ‘Sterling’; PNI 6051’ LARGE TREES Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Aesculus flava Yellow Buckeye Carya cordiformis Bitternut Hickory Celtis occidentalis Hackberry ‘Prairie Pride', ‘Chicagoland’, ‘Windy Village’, ‘JFS-KSU1’ Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsuratree Corylus colurna Turkish Filbert Autumn Gold' Eucommia ulmoides Hardy Rubber Tree Gingko biloba Gingko (male only) Autumn Gold', 'Magyar', 'Princeton Sentry' Gleditsia triacanthos inermis Thornless Honeylocust Imperial', 'Shademaster', 'Skyline/Skycole', 'Sunburst', 'Street Keeper/Draves' Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree ‘Espresso', 'Prairie Titan', ‘Decaf’ Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree Platanus x acerifolia London Planetree ‘Exclamation’ Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak Page 11 of 43 8 Quercus x ‘Crimschmidt’ Crimson Spire Oak Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak Quercus robur English Oak ‘Skymaster', 'Regal Prince', ‘JFS-KW1QX’ Quercus rubra Red Oak Quercus x macdanielii ‘Clemons’ Heritage Oak Quercus muehlenbergii Chinkapin Oak Quercus x schuettei Swamp x Bur Oak Ulmus x Hybrid Elm ‘Accolade', 'New Horizon', 'Regal', ‘Triumph’, ‘Discovery’, ‘Frontier’, ‘Pioneer’, ‘Cathedral’ Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm EVERGREENS TREES Do not plant on streets, evergreens obstruct visibility making them hazardous on street locations. Acceptable trees for parks and non-street tree locations. Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Abies concolor White Fir Xanthocyparis nootkatensis Nootka Cyprus Juniperus chinensis Chinese Juniper Iowa', 'Mounntbatten' Juniperus x Star Power Juniper JN Select Blue' Picea glauca var. densata Black Hills Spruce Picea omorika Serbian Spruce Pinus bungeana Lacebark Pine Pinus flexilis Limber Pine Vanderwolf's Pyramid' Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine Fastigiata' Pinus sylvestris Scotch Pine Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglasfir Thuja occidentalis Arborvitae Smaragd', 'Hetz Wintergreen', 'Sunkist', 'Techny' Page 12 of 43 9 Thuja plicata Western White Cedar Tsuga canadensis Canadian Hemlock Metasequoia glyptostroboides* Dawn Redwood* ‘Gold Rush’ Taxodium distichum* Baldcypress* ‘Shawnee Brave’ The approved tree list is comprehensive, but subject to annual review with the update of this plan. The list provides the species of tree and its projected crown height when fully mature. Trees are placed in three categories: Small (mature crown height under 30 feet) Medium (mature crown height between 30 and 45 feet) Large (mature crown height over 45 feet) New Planting Locations. Street trees are a vital part of public infrastructure, reducing stormwater runoff, reducing heat, enhancing property values, and providing wildlife habitat. However, street trees share space with other public infrastructure, requiring careful selection of tree planting locations in the right-of-way. Because of this the following should take place: Utility marking: The applicant shall call Diggers Hotline to identify the locations of underground utilities before identifying a new location or conducting any ground-disturbing activities. Utility and Infrastructure Spacing: An appropriate amount of space must be allocated between a new tree planting location and existing infrastructure. Spacing requirements: Mature tree size and planting site size define the minimum tree spacing requirements. Alternative designs may be approved by the Village Forester. Large planting sites: Improved sites greater than or equal to 6.0 feet wide without overhead high-voltage wires Unimproved sites without overhead high-voltage wires Medium planting sites: Improved sites greater than or equal to 4.0 feet wide but less than 6.0 feet wide with or without overhead high-voltage wires Improved sites greater than or equal to 6.0 feet wide with overhead high-voltage wires Unimproved sites with overhead high-voltage wires Small planting sites: Page 13 of 43 10 Improved sites greater than or equal to 3 feet wide but less than 4 feet wide with or without overhead high-voltage wires Vacant Locations. As trees are removed there are various reasons that a plating site is left vacant. When identifying planting locations for a given year, priority will be given to currently vacant locations. An up-to-date record of vacant locations will be maintained in GIS. Vacant locations may also evolve into ‘no plant’ locations. In that case, the location should be identified as “no plant” in GIS. Village staff will identify a replacement location for any location that has become unplantable. New Planting Stock. New public tree plantings will be from nursery grown bare root, containerized, or balled and burlapped tree stock. New Subdivisions and Developments. The standards developed in this plan pertain to new developments and subdivisions. This section supplements requirements in municipal code 17.43(5). Trees should have appropriate spacing between other infrastructure in the right-of-way. The following table provides guidelines for developers: Infrastructure Feet Water meter / vaults 10 Catch basins 10 Gas meters 10 Driveway aprons and crosswalks 10 Fire hydrants 10 Street lights 20 Electrical poles 20 Intersections / corners 45 Railroad tracks 100 Other trees 25-40 feet Spacing between other trees in the right-of-way is variable depending on the mature height and width based on the species of the nearest tree(s). The desirable distance between trees is 30 feet. At a minimum, a residential lot in a new subdivision should have two right-of-way street trees. Tree plantings for commercial and industrial development will be required per approved landscape plan, according to municipal code 17.43(5). Non-Residential Developments. Non-residential developments must have an approved landscaping plan that meets tree standards for parking lots and street trees. Planting Standards. Appendix A provides standards for planting a new tree, along with a checklist for staff to follow. Watering. Watering is recommended for a 10-week period following planting. Village contracts will specify 3 supplemental waterings during the growing season spaced 4 weeks apart. The Village of Page 14 of 43 11 Germantown requests that adjacent property owners supplement the watering. Where there are no adjacent property owners, watering is solely the responsibility of the Village. Safety. DPW will follow all necessary procedures related to tree maintenance and working in the ROW to ensure the safety of staff, pedestrians, and motorists. Protection measures that will be utilized during forestry operations, include, but are not limited to, signage, traffic control, and barricades. Work areas will be inspected for hazards like uneven terrain, overhead wires, or nearby structures. Appropriate precautions will be taken to mitigate risks. If a safety concern is observed, work must stop, and a crew leader or supervisor must be contacted to resolve the issue before continuing. Page 15 of 43 12 Tree Pruning and Maintenance of Urban Trees Pruning Technique. Maintenance of urban trees will be conducted by contracted staff and under the supervision of a certified arborist. Tree pruning and maintenance of urban street trees is conducted according to ANSI A300 - Standard for Tree Maintenance. The ANSI A300 standard document is a proprietary document that is available in the Department of Public Works and has been incorporated into contract documents. Pruning Standards and Checklist. Appendix B provides standards for pruning along with a checklist for staff to follow. Cycle and Budget. There are 3,153 deciduous urban trees identified in the Germantown Geographic Information System (GIS). According to experts, the Ideal pruning cycle for urban municipal trees is somewhere between 5-8 years. A regular maintenance cycle helps to prevent disease, potential damage, allows for proper shaping and thinning, and addresses encroachment in the ROW. Approximately 400-630 trees need to be pruned each year within the Village at a cost of $80,000 - $126,000 to meet the recommended maintenance cycle. This plan proposes an initial 9- year cycle to balance budgetary demands of a new program and the need for systematic maintenance. A 9-year pruning cycle would demand a consistent pruning budget of $70,000. Future planning periods should consider shortening the pruning cycle to fall within the recommended range. As the urban forest grows the commitment to pruning will also grow. Image 4 - 9-year Cycle: 2024-2033 Page 16 of 43 13 Treatment: Disease and Insect Control Assessment and Monitoring. DPW and the Village Forester will complete a comprehensive inventory of all urban municipal trees in a 5-year cycle. The assessment of the tree will factor in all conditions including signs of disease or insect infestation. The condition assessment will flag trees that need an additional treatment feasibility analysis. Treatment Feasibility Assessment and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). A tree flagged for a treatment feasibility analysis will be reviewed by the Superintendent of Highways, Buildings and Grounds and the Village Forester. Factors in the IPM strategies will include: - Treatment options available (biological, mechanical, chemical controls) - Thresholds for treatment based on severity - The likelihood of successful treatment - The cost of treatment over time - The available budget for treatment - The cost of removal and replacement Using this multi-factored approach, DPW will determine how to properly care for the tree. Enhanced Monitoring. When a tree has become diseased or infested and a treatment measure was applied, it will be placed on an enhanced annual monitoring cycle. The effectiveness of treatment will be noted with a new condition assessment. The effectiveness of the treatment will be evaluated, using the same criteria, for continued treatment (if applicable). Documentation. Documentation of the tree’s condition, disease condition, and treatments applied will be updated in GIS. Page 17 of 43 14 Tree Pruning and Maintenance of Rural Trees Maintaining trees in rural areas is essential for safety, aesthetics, and ecosystem health. DPW will follow these guidelines when addressing maintenance of rural trees. Rural Tree Inventory and Assessment. While a comprehensive inventory and assessment of all rural trees in the ROW is not practical, staff will identify problem trees and problem areas that need to be addressed. Initial assessment will include contributing factors such as the health of the tree, structural integrity, risk to those in the ROW and on private property, the volume of traffic in a hazard area, and proximity to infrastructure. Maintenance Plan. Based on the assessment, develop a long-term maintenance plan outlining pruning schedules, tree inspections, and other necessary actions. Maintenance tasks will be prioritized based on urgency, budget constraints, and community needs, considering factors such as tree health, age, species, potential impact to the ROW or private property, and the volume of traffic near the problem area. Maintenance of rural ROW trees will be conducted primarily by DPW staff, unless specialized equipment or personnel are needed based on complexity of the job, safety, or other factors. Pruning Guidelines. Follow industry best practices and ANSI A300 standards for tree pruning to ensure safety, tree health, and aesthetic appeal. Prune trees to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, improve structure and form, and reduce hazards such as low-hanging limbs or overhanging branches near roads and utilities. Avoid excessive pruning, especially topping or lion-tailing, which can weaken trees and promote decay. Pruning Standards and Checklist. Appendix B provides standards for pruning along with a checklist for staff to follow. Qualified Personnel and Equipment. Ensure that pruning and maintenance activities are carried out by trained and/or certified arborists, or qualified tree care professionals. All pruning and maintenance activities shall be supervised by an ISA Certified Arborist. Provide personnel with appropriate safety gear, tools, and equipment, including pruning saws, pole pruners, and safety harnesses. Where appropriate, for urban trees, ROW tree maintenance will be outsourced to a contractor and supervised by an ISA Certified Arborist. Timing of Pruning. Schedule pruning activities during the dormant season (late fall to early spring) to minimize stress and promote rapid wound closure. Avoid pruning during periods of active growth or flowering, as it can increase the risk of disease transmission and excessive wounding. Page 18 of 43 15 Planned Tree Removal Assessment and Evaluation. Prior to initiating tree removal, DPW will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the need for removal. Consideration will be made for factors such as tree health, structural stability, location, proximity to buildings, utilities, roads, cost, and potential risks to public safety. During the process we will evaluate alternatives to removal, such as pruning, treatment, cabling, or other mitigation measures, whenever feasible. The Village Forester will be consulted. Complexity. Based on the complexity of removal, specifically the size of the tree, the proximity to infrastructure, the public, utilities, etc., DPW may choose to contract out for tree removal. Safety Measures. DPW will prioritize the safety of personnel, property, and the public throughout the removal process. Staff, assisted by crew leaders, will establish a safe work zone with clear boundaries and signage to alert pedestrians and vehicles to potential hazards. Both DPW staff and/or contracted crews will use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including helmets, gloves, eye protection, chainsaw chaps, and high-visibility clothing. Removal Plan. Before the tree is removed an assessment of the personnel, equipment and coordination necessary for removal will be conducted. Once the plan has been established a briefing will be conducted at the shop to go over the removal plan and discuss safety. If, for any reason, safety issues cannot be resolved the operation cannot continue until all concerns are addressed. Crew leaders may involve management up to and including the Director of Public Works. Mobilization. Once the removal plan has been briefed and no issues remain mobilization to the site is able to occur. Crews should ensure that equipment and tools used for tree removal are properly maintained, inspected, and operated by trained personnel. A pre-operation inspection is required for all equipment. Tree Removal. The removal standards identified in Appendix C will always be followed. Complex removals will be conducted under the supervision of an ISA Certified Arborist. Communication. DPW will keep residents informed through communications in person, on social media, the Village of Germantown website and, if warranted, local media. Communication with residents will precede the tree removal to the greatest degree possible. The communication to citizens will include the scope of the work and the anticipated schedule. The extent of the Village’s communication regarding the removal will be tied to the scope of the tree removal work. Example 1: Removal of a single ROW tree would result in direct communication with the adjacent property owner only. Example 2: Removal of five diseased trees in a subdivision will result in direct communication with the adjacent property owner but may also include social media postings. Example 3: A large-scale removal of trees may involve a variety of communication methods. Page 19 of 43 16 Documentation. Documentation of the removal will be captured in work orders (staff time, contractor cost, equipment time) and in GIS. Affected assets in GIS will be updated to reflect the new condition. If the asset was removed, then GIS should be updated to reflect a vacant site or no replant site. Page 20 of 43 17 Emergency Tree/Branch Removal DPW will provide emergency response to deal with damaged trees in the ROW. The emergency response will be timely and ensure the safe removal of branches or trees within the right-of-way in the Village of Germantown to prevent hazards to residents, property, and infrastructure. Initial Assessment. Upon receiving a report of a fallen tree or damaged and hazardous branches within the village right-of-way, DPW will assess the situation promptly. If during working hours the Superintendent of Highway, Parks, Buildings and Grounds, or his staff, will be notified of the hazard condition. After hours, the call may be taken by Germantown Police Department or the Germantown answering service and DPW will be contacted through normal after-hours emergency procedures. After assessing the situation, using information from the caller, a determination will be made about the immediacy of the need for the hazard to be mitigated. Safety Measures. Of primary importance in the initial evaluation is determining the potential impact on safety. Priority remediation efforts will be given to issues that affect resident safety, traffic safety, or the safety of first responders. If any of these conditions exist DPW will treat the remediation efforts as an emergency response which will require a site investigation. If the traveling roadway is affected coordination with Germantown Police Department will also be initiated. Site Investigation / Evaluation of Hazards. The evaluation will determine the level of safety precautions that need to be in place, the personnel and equipment needed to address the hazard. 1. Establish a safe perimeter around the affected area to prevent access by pedestrians or vehicles. If necessary, coordinate with local law enforcement to divert traffic away from the area. 2. Assess the size and location of the fallen tree or branches. 3. Determine potential risks to nearby buildings, roads, utilities, and pedestrians. 4. Deploy trained personnel equipped with appropriate tools for tree removal (e.g., chainsaws, safety gear). 5. Coordinate with relevant departments, external contractors and utilities for additional support, if needed. Tree/Branch Removal. The focus of an emergency response will be to mitigate priority hazards. Depending on the time of day, resources available and extent of the damage, the emergency response from DPW may just address specific hazard and future work at the same site may be scheduled later. Pruning standards identified in this plan will apply to the greatest extent possible. Communication. DPW will keep residents informed through communications in person, on social media, the Village of Germantown website and, if warranted, local media. With that said, safety is the overriding factor and if time does not allow for communication, outreach will be conducted following the emergency operation. Documentation. Documentation of the emergency response will be captured in work orders (staff time, contractor cost, equipment time) and in GIS. Affected assets in GIS will be updated to reflect Page 21 of 43 18 the new condition. If the asset was removed, then GIS should be updated to reflect a vacant site or no replant site. Page 22 of 43 19 Permits Required Any planting, pruning, or other tree maintenance of a tree in the ROW must be permitted, as per Germantown Code 17.60(4). Permits may be obtained at the Germantown Village Hall in the Department of Public Works. Permits will be reviewed by the Superintendent of Highway, Buildings, and Grounds prior to approval. All standards identified in this plan and in the municipal code will be enforced through the permit. Permitted trees planted in the ROW are considered donations to the Village of Germantown and all future maintenance is the responsibility of the Village of Germantown, unless otherwise permitted. Receipt of an approved permit serves as acknowledgement of a permittee’s understanding of all applicable standards and acts as an agreement to conduct their permitted work according to those standards. Upon completion of permitted tree work the permittee will contact the Superintendent of Highway Buildings and Grounds. An inspection of permitted work by the Superintendent of Highway, Building and Grounds will ensure work was completed to standards. The Superintendent of Highway, Building and Grounds may require the permittee to perform additional work to properly conform to standards. Permits are available at no fee. Non-compliance with a permit or failure to remedy unsatisfactory work will result in a penalty per municipal code 17.60(12). Determinations made by staff related to permit denials may be reviewed by the Tree Board. Adjacent Landowners Responsibility. No person shall remove, trim, cut roots, or disturb any ROW tree, park tree or other public tree without a permit. Homeowners Associations (HOA). HOA’s may annually apply for permits for pruning, planting, or other tree maintenance, in the ROW on behalf of their members who have properties adjacent to ROW trees. The Village of Germantown will not approve permit requests from an HOA that do not address ROW trees in the HOA holistically. Permitted work will be performed according to these standards, and subject to inspection, corrective action and penalties as described above under “Permits” . The permitted work will be conducted at the cost of the HOA. Planted trees in the ROW become the property of the Village of Germantown. The permitted work of HOA’s must be coordinated with the Superintendent of Highway, Buildings and Grounds. Page 23 of 43 20 The Tree Board The tree board will be established and act in accordance with municipal code 17.60. Members. The Tree Board will consist of three members: • A Village Trustee • The Village Forester, and • A citizen from the Village of Germantown Terms. The Village Trustee and citizen members will serve two-year staggered terms. Upon plan adoption the citizen member will serve an initial two-year term. The Village Trustee will serve an initial one-year term. Subsequent term(s) of the Village Trustee will be two-year terms. Appointment. The Village President will nominate the Trustee member and the citizen member to serve two-year terms. The appointments will be confirmed by the Village Board. The Village Forester will remain on the Tree Board to coincide with his/her ongoing appointment to the Village Forester position. Advisory Role. Except as noted below, the Tree Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Public Works and Highway Committee. Contracts for tree maintenance and planting are ultimately approved by the Public Works and Highway Committee and/or the Village Board, depending on the value of the contract. Scope of the Tree Board Annual Operations and Maintenance Plan Review - The Department of Public Works will make an annual presentation to the Tree Board which will consist of the plan for the current year operation, the communication plan, and the 5-year plan. The Tree Board will make a recommendation to the Public Works and Highway Committee regarding the approval of the annual operations plan and 5- year plan. Comprehensive Tree Plan Review – As the Comprehensive Tree plan is revised time-to-time, it will be brought to the Tree Board for review. Appeals of Determinations and Orders - The Tree Board may convene, as required by municipal code 17.60 (9), to review an appeal of a determination or order made by staff. At such hearing the Tree Board may reverse, affirm, or modify the order of the determination appeal. The grounds for its decision shall be stated in writing. The Tree Board shall by letter notify the party appealing the order or determination of its decision within 10 days after the hearing has been concluded and file its written decision with the Village Clerk. The decision of the tree board is final and not subject to additional appeal. Page 24 of 43 21 Plan Review and Community Outreach Comprehensive Tree Plan Review. This plan will be reviewed annually. Community Outreach. Community outreach regarding the annual operations for tree planting and maintenance will be conducted in numerous ways. 1. Letters will be sent to property owners with adjacent ROW trees outlining the type of tree maintenance they can expect and the anticipated timing of the work. Outreach letters will precede any tree work by a minimum of three weeks. 2. Village of Germantown social media will announce all work. 3. The Village of Germantown website will announce all work as an alert and post the annual operations plan, the 5-year plan and the Comprehensive Tree Plan. Continuous Monitoring and Feedback. DPW will Monitor the health and condition of pruned trees over time, observing growth patterns, pest infestations, and response to pruning treatments. The annual operations plan and the 5-year plan may need to be adjusted based on new conditions. Feedback from residents will be tracked by DPW. Solicit feedback from residents and stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of maintenance efforts, responsiveness to concerns, and overall satisfaction with the rural tree management program. Page 25 of 43 22 Comprehensive Tree Plan – Appendix A Tree Planting Standards Checklist ❑ Notify affected residents, property owners, and stakeholders in advance of planned tree planting activities. ❑ Provide clear and transparent communication about the reasons for planting, proposed timelines, and any mitigation measures or alternatives considered. ❑ Prepare planting holes of appropriate size and depth, typically two to three times the width of the root ball. ❑ Handle trees with care to avoid damage to roots, branches, or trunk. ❑ Remove packaging materials and gently loosen or remove any circling roots before planting. ❑ Position the tree in the center of the planting hole, ensuring that the root collar is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil surface. ❑ Backfill the hole with native soil, avoiding the use of excessive amendments or fertilizers. ❑ Create a shallow watering basin around the base of the tree to facilitate irrigation. ❑ Water newly planted trees thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil and promote root establishment. ❑ Provide regular watering during the first growing season, especially during periods of drought or high temperatures. Watering should be weekly in the initial 3 months of the planting. ❑ Apply a layer of organic mulch (e.g., wood chips, bark) around the base of the tree, leaving space around the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and potential decay. ❑ Mulch should be spread evenly to a depth of 2-4 inches to conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth. ❑ Clean up the planting location so it is clear of excess materials, packaging, equipment, etc. ❑ Evaluate the need for staking based on the size, species, and site conditions of the newly planted tree. ❑ Use flexible, non-abrasive materials for staking to minimize damage to the trunk and branches. ❑ Install stakes at a slight angle away from the tree, securing them firmly but not tightly to allow for natural movement. ❑ Monitor the tree regularly and remove stakes and support systems once the tree has established sufficient root anchorage. ❑ Record the tree species, planting dates and condition assessment in GIS. ❑ Establish a monitoring schedule to track the growth and health of newly planted trees over time. ❑ Use collected data to evaluate the success of tree planting initiatives and inform future planning and management decisions. Page 26 of 43 23 Comprehensive Tree Plan – Appendix B Tree Pruning Standards Checklist ❑ Notify affected residents, property owners, and stakeholders in advance of planned tree pruning activities. ❑ Provide clear and transparent communication about the reasons for pruning, proposed timelines, and any mitigation measures or alternatives considered. ❑ Use properly maintained and sanitized pruning tools to minimize the spread of disease pathogens. ❑ Inspect equipment before pruning activities are initiated. ❑ Ensure that pruning tools are sharp and properly adjusted to make clean, precise cuts. ❑ Assess potential hazards such as falling limbs, overhead wires, or pedestrian traffic before initiating pruning activities. ❑ Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including helmets, gloves, eye protection, and high-visibility clothing. ❑ Secure work areas with warning signs, cones, or barriers to alert pedestrians and vehicles to the presence of pruning crews. ❑ Conduct routine pruning during the dormant season (late fall to early spring) to minimize stress and promote rapid wound closure. ❑ Address immediate safety hazards or emergency situations promptly, regardless of the season. ❑ Use proper pruning techniques to minimize damage and promote healing. Follow the ANSI A300 Standard at all times. ❑ Make clean, smooth cuts just outside the branch collar to facilitate compartmentalization and minimize the risk of decay. ❑ Avoid leaving stubs or making flush cuts, as they can impair wound closure and lead to long-term health issues. ❑ Prioritize the removal of dead, diseased, or broken branches. ❑ Identify and correct structural defects such as co-dominant leaders, included bark, and narrow crotch angles. ❑ Maintain a balanced canopy by selectively thinning overcrowded or crossing branches. ❑ Avoid excessive pruning of healthy green foliage, as it can stress the tree and compromise its ability to photosynthesize. ❑ Clean-up after pruning as is appropriate for the location of the pruned tree. Urban street tree clean up may be more extensive than rural street tree clean-up activities. ❑ Maintain records of pruning activities, including the date, location, reasons for pruning, and specific pruning cuts made in GIS associated with that asset. ❑ Document any observed signs of pest infestations, diseases, or other tree health issues through an updated condition assessment in GIS. Page 27 of 43 24 Comprehensive Tree Plan – Appendix C Tree Removal Standards Checklist ❑ Notify affected residents, property owners, and stakeholders in advance of planned tree removal activities per plan requirements. In emergency situations prioritize safety with secondary notifications, if advance notification is not possible. ❑ Provide clear and transparent communication about the reasons for removal, proposed timelines, and any mitigation measures or alternatives considered. ❑ Conduct a thorough assessment of the tree to determine the need for removal. ❑ Consider factors such as tree health, structural stability, location, and potential risks to nearby structures, utilities, and pedestrians. ❑ Evaluate alternatives to removal, such as pruning, cabling, or other mitigation measures, whenever feasible. ❑ Establish a safe work zone with clear boundaries and signage to alert pedestrians and vehicles to potential hazards. ❑ Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including helmets, gloves, eye protection, chainsaw chaps, and high-visibility clothing. ❑ Ensure that equipment and tools used for tree removal are properly maintained, inspected, and operated by trained personnel. Conduct a pre-operation check of all tools and equipment. ❑ Use specialized equipment such as chainsaws, ropes, and rigging gear as needed to safely remove trees in confined spaces or near structures. ❑ Employ safe and efficient tree removal techniques based on the size, species, and condition of the tree. ❑ Consider the use of directional felling, piecemeal dismantling, or crane-assisted removal methods to minimize risks and damage to surrounding property. ❑ Minimize impacts to the surrounding environment, including nearby vegetation, wildlife habitat, and soil integrity. ❑ Implement erosion control measures as needed to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation during removal activities. ❑ Dispose of tree debris and wood waste as appropriate, according to the location. Clean-up in urban areas may be more extensive that clean up in rural areas. ❑ Consider opportunities for composting, chipping, or repurposing tree materials to minimize waste and support sustainable resource management practices. ❑ Remove all debris, logs, and branches from the removal site promptly after completion of the work. ❑ Restore disturbed areas to their original condition or implement revegetation measures as needed to prevent soil erosion and promote site stabilization. ❑ Maintain accurate records of tree removal activities, including the date, location, reasons for removal, and methods used. The location should be updated in GIS to reflect the vacancy. ❑ Document any observed signs of pest infestations, diseases, or other tree health issues that may have contributed to the need for removal.4 Page 28 of 43 25 Comprehensive Tree Plan – Appendix D - Budget Required Forestry Annual Budget Historical Forestry Budget Forestry Consultant $15,000 Emerald Ash Borer Treatment $10,000 Tree Planting $35,000 Contracted forestry work / contracted pruning $40,000 Total $100,000 Necessary Budget* per Comprehensive Plan Forestry Consultant $20,000 Emerald Ash Borer Treatment $10,000 Tree Planting $35,000 Tree Pruning $70,000 Contracted forestry work $20,000 Total $155,000 *This budget is presented in 2024 dollars and will need annual adjustments for inflation Page 29 of 43 26 Comprehensive Tree Plan – Appendix E Non-Residential Development Street Tree Requirements Quantity of Trees. Determining the quantity of street trees required adjacent to a development depends on the species size, the width of the right-of-way (ROW), and the length of ROW. The developers plan shall utilize the approve species listed in the Comprehensive Tree Plan and the spacing outlined below: Tree Size Small Medium Large Spacing 25-30’ 30-40' 50' Minimum ROW Width 5' 5-8' 8+' Additional spacing requirements are addressed below and may affect the quantity of trees adjacent to a development. The plan will be reviewed and approved by the Village Forester. Geographic Information Systems. The Village requires all new street trees to be recorded in the Village geographical information system (GIS). Newly added street trees will be added to the Village GIS at a cost to the developer where the Village will bill for actual costs to update the system. Variety. Developers are encouraged to present plans that include a variety of approved species. The variety of species is subject to approval of the Village Forester. Specification for Planting Street Trees • All plant material shall be true to name and type, and first-class representatives of their species or variety. They shall have normal, well-developed branches, be healthy, vigorous plants free from defects, plant disease, and all forms of infestation or objectionable disfigurements. Either bare root, containerized, or balled and bulapped trees are acceptable. All plant material shall conform to American Standard for Nursery Stock (ANSI Z60.1 - 2004). • The street trees shall be centered between the back of the curb and the street side of the existing or future sidewalks (if no walk is planned, it will be centered in the right-of­ way). Spacing of trees from various infrastructure and features of the right-of-way are addressed in the Comprehensive Tree Plan (above). • If there is not sufficient space to plant street trees in the right of way developer may plant an equal number of trees on private property. This will be accounted for in the developer’s landscape plan. Any trees planted on private property will be maintained by the developer or owner. • All street trees planted shall be of minimum size of 2” in caliper for containerized and balled and burlapped trees and 1 ¾” for bare root trees. • The size for the tree installation hole shall be a minimum of 36" in diameter. Trees shall Page 30 of 43 27 be planted with the root collar exposed at or slightly above the surface level. For balled trees, the hole shall be at least 18" larger than the largest diameter of the ball and no deeper than the ball. Remove twine, clip and fold back wire basket and trim burlap. • Soil for backfilling around roots and/or root balls shall be the existing soil from the excavation. Where existing soil is rocky and poor quality, the local brown topsoil may be used. Soil shall be pulverized and screened. All material dug from the plant holes and not used shall be removed from the site and disposed of. Immediately after planting, soil around roots and balls shall be thoroughly watered. • At the time of planting, trees shall be pruned only to remove dead, broken, or diseased branches or cross branches that rub. As much of the crown as possible shall be maintained to create food for the tree. Trees shall appear symmetrical in shape and appearance. • Persons installing street trees shall take all necessary precautions to minimize the damage to existing lawns. Any damage to existing lawns shall be repaired by placing topsoil and seed in the damaged area. The final determination to be made by the Village Forester. • Upon completion of planting, individual planting holes shall be outlined with a shoulder of soil, placed outside of the planting hole rim to form a saucer. Wood mulch material shall be placed to cover disturbed areas to a minimum depth of three (3) inches, but there will be an air gap 1" wide around the base of the trunk with no mulch to keep the root flare exposed. • Street trees do not need to be staked, unless required by the Village Forester due to size or species. If staking is required, a minimum of two wood posts that have a minimum diameter of 2½" shall be used. The minimum length of the posts shall be the depth of the bore plus one-half the height of the tree. The posts shall be installed at least one foot outside the diameter of the tree planting hole. The tree shall be connected to the posts with a 2" x 1/16" strap of such design so as not to damage the tree. The straps shall be located midway between the base of the trunk and the point where branching occurs. The tree shall be planted as plumb as possible and the contractor shall maintain tree plumbness throughout the guarantee period. All stakes shall be removed within one year of planting. • Street trees planted between June 15 and September 15 should be avoided. If it cannot be avoided trees shall be balled and burlapped. These trees shall also be on a maintenance watering schedule, if natural rainfall is not sufficient during this time period. • All installations must be inspected by the Village Forester, or a representative. If, in the sole opinion of the Village Forester, additional remedies are needed to assure the stocking and maintenance of healthy tree specimens, additional remedies may be required. Page 31 of 43 28 • Street trees installed by a developer shall be guaranteed for one (1) year. Replacement trees after one shall be the responsibility of the Village. • The Village Forester may add to or delete from the list of approved trees. This may include trees that have come under attack from insects or disease that should not be planted. This information may come from DNR Forest Health or UW Extension staff or alerts. Note: Refer to the DNR guidelines for current planting specifications. Urban Tree Planting Resources | | Wisconsin DNR Page 32 of 43 29 Comprehensive Tree Plan – Appendix F – Permit Application Application for Permit to Prune, Remove, Plant or Treat Tree(s) on Public Property within the Village of Germantown. Property Owner/Homeowners Association: ______________________________________________ Date: _________________ Address: _________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Permit is requested to ___________ (prune / treat / remove / plant) a tree or trees. Location of tree(s) ______________________________________________________________ Type and approximate trunk diameter of tree(s): ______________________________________ If the permit is for pruning or removal, please state the reason for action. If the permit is to plant a tree, please identify the type and size of tree to be planted. If the permit is to spray, please state the chemical to be used and follow directions on the label. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Who will do the work? _________________________________________________________ (If someone other than the property owner, then a License must also be obtained) It is understood and agreed that if this application is granted, then the property owner will have the work done in a workmanlike manner, comply with any special instructions stated in the Comprehensive Tree Plan, remove from the street all debris and dirt and replace the paving and lawn and leave them compatible with the surrounding landscape. It is further agreed that the applicant will save the Village its officers, employees, and agents free and harmless from all damage to life, limb and property arising from the proposed work and as well as damage to nearby and abutting property. It is further agreed that the applicant will comply with all provisions of the ordinances of the Village of Germantown and with the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Applicant’s signature (if an individual): ______________________________________________________ Authorized agents signature and title (if an HOA): _____________________________________________ - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Staff Notes: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Permit is approved _____________ Permit is denied ______________ Permit No: ____________________ DPW Staff Signature: ________________________________________________________________________ Page 33 of 43 BUSINESS OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING DATE: March 5, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Section 17.60 Trees Municipal Code Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. 17.60___TREES.__Cr._Ord.__31_02_ STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 34 of 43 Created: 2026-01-06 12:38:31 [EST] (Supp. No. 30) Page 1 of 4 17.60 TREES. (Cr. Ord. #31-02) (1) PURPOSE AND INTENT. This section establishes policies, regulations, and standards necessary to ensure that the Village of Germantown will continue to realize the benefits provided by its urban forest. The provisions of this chapter are enacted to: (a) Establish and maintain the maximum amount of tree cover on public and private lands in the Village of Germantown. (b) Maintain trees in a healthy and nonhazardous condition through good arboricultural practices. (c) Establish and maintain appropriate diversity in tree species and age classes to provide a stable and sustainable urban forest. (2) DEFINITIONS. (a) Park Trees. Park trees are herein defined as trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, and all areas owned by the Village, or to which the public has free access as a park. (b) Private Trees. Any and all trees growing on private property within the Village limits as of or after the effective date of the ordinance from which this section or successful sections derives and which are not defined or designated in this chapter as street trees, park trees, or public trees. (c) Public Nuisance. Any tree or shrub or part thereof growing upon private or public property which is: interfering with the use of any public area; infected with an infectious pest; or endangers the life, health, safety, or welfare of persons or property can be declared a public nuisance. (d) Public Utility. Any public, private or cooperatively owned line, facility, or system for producing, transmitting or distributing communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil products, water, waste or stormwater, which directly or indirectly serves the public or any part thereof within the corporate limits of the Village. (e) Street Trees. Street trees are herein defined as trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, roads, medians, avenues, or ways within the Village. (f) Street Trees. Street trees are herein defined as trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, roads, medians, avenues, or ways within the Village. A Street Tree may function as a Stormwater Tree where specifically selected and installed as a component of a stormwater management plan. (Am. Ord. #07-2023) (g) Vision Corner. The space formed by any 2 existing or proposed intersection street or alley right-of-way lines (property lines) and a line joining points on such lines located a minimum of 15 feet from their intersection. In the case of arterial streets intersection with other arterial streets or railways, the corner cutoff distances establishing the triangular vision clearance space shall be increased from 15 feet to 50 feet. (3) VILLAGE COMPREHENSIVE TREE PLAN. A Comprehensive Tree Plan for the Village of Germantown shall be developed by the Director of Public Works, Parks and Recreation Director, Buildings and Grounds Foreman, Village Planner and Village Forester. The Plan shall be forwarded to the Public Works Committee for its recommendation, and adopted by the Village Board. (a) Development of the Tree Plan. 1. It shall be the responsibility of the plan to study, investigate, counsel, and develop and/or update, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, Page 35 of 43 Created: 2026-01-06 12:38:31 [EST] (Supp. No. 30) Page 2 of 4 removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets, and in other public places. Such plan will be presented to the Village Board upon their acceptance and approval shall constitute the official comprehensive city tree plan for the Village of Germantown. 2. The plan shall consider, investigate, make finding, report, and recommend upon any special matter or question coming with the scope of its work. 3. The plan shall consist of a list of desirable trees for the planting along streets in 3 size classes based on mature height: small (under 20 feet), medium (20 to 40 feet), and large (over 40 feet). Lists of trees not suitable for planting will also be included within the plan. (4) PLANTING OF TREES ON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ALONG ROADS. The Village shall have jurisdiction, direction, authority, control, and supervision over that part of every street, the grade of which has been established lying between the lot line and the curb, or curb line, and trees on any property, which may in any way have effect upon public property, and upon the public welfare of the Village of Germantown, and for the planting, care, maintenance, protection and removal thereof. The Village Board shall have the authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem applicable for carrying out the purpose of this section. (a) Permit Required. No tree shall be planted on the public right-of-ways within the Village of Germantown until a permit shall first have been obtained by the owner of the property abutting on the frontage thereof, or his authorized agent. Such permit shall be obtained from the Building and Grounds Foreman, and shall be issued only after the Buildings and Grounds Foreman has eceived a validated application for said permit. (b) Application for Permit. Application for the permit shall be obtained from the Village Clerk and validated by the Building and Grounds Foreman or Village Forester. A separate application and a separate permit and a fee are required for each tree intended to be planted. (c) Compliance with Vision Clearance. No application shall be validated or permit issued unless the provisions of the Municipal Code of the Village of Germantown requiring vision clearance on corner lots shall have been complied with. (d) Fee. Any person, firm, or corporation intending to plant a tree on the public right-of-way shall submit an application for a permit and pay a fee of $5.00 for each tree to be planted. (e) Inspection. The owner/applicant/developer shall provide written notice to the Village of the dates to start and finish planting. An inspection by the Village is to be done 30 days from the finish date. (f) Specifications. Applications for street tree permits must comply with the specifications for planting as promulgated by the Village. (5) PLANTING OF TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Village of Germantown to regulate or control all trees, shrubs, or other like obstructions growing or to be planted in or upon any private premises which shall threaten the lives, health, safety, and welfare of the public or of the property owned or controlled by the Village. It is the intent of the Village that the provisions of this section shall apply to all trees, shrubs, or plants growing or hereafter planted in or upon private property, which threatens the lives, health, safety, and welfare of the public. (a) Planting and Maintaining. No person shall maintain, plant, or permit to remain on any private premises situated at the intersection of 2 or more streets or alleys in the Village any hedge, tree, shrub, or other like obstruction within the vision corner of any street or alley intersection, which may obstruct the view of the operator of any motor vehicle approaching such intersection, to the extent that such operator is unable to observe other vehicles or pedestrians approaching or crossing said intersection. Any such hedge, tree, shrub, sign, or other like obstruction is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Specifically, it must be 2½ feet and 10 feet above the mean curb grades within the triangular space formed by vision corner. Page 36 of 43 Created: 2026-01-06 12:38:31 [EST] (Supp. No. 30) Page 3 of 4 (b) Failure to Remedy Public Nuisance. If the owner of such premises shall fail to remedy the situation upon receipt of a 30-day written notice, either personal or by publications, from the Village, the Village shall treat or remove such obstruction or part thereof as hereinafter provided and the expense thereof shall be a charge against the property upon which the tree or shrub is located. (c) Removal of Hazardous Trees. Any tree or part thereof which the Village, upon examination, shall find to be infected or hazardous so as to be injurious or to endanger the public or shall be injurious to sewers, curbs, sidewalks, or other public improvements, if growing upon a private premises shall be removed by the property owner. If the owner shall fail to remedy the situation upon receipt of a 14-day written notice, either personally from the Village, or by publication in the Villages newspaper, the Village shall treat or remove such tree or part thereof. The Village shall keep a record of the labor and cost of treatment or removal of the tree or part thereof and charge the same against the property owner or owners and the cost thereof shall be entered as an assessment against the property. Any property owner given a notice as heretofore provided may, by a written notice to the Village within 7 days of the notice, postpone the treatment or removal of the tree or part thereof by the Village, and he shall have the right to appeal the order to the Board of Appeals. No damage shall be awarded to any property owner for the destruction of a tree or a part thereof pursuant to this section. (d) Delay of Interference. No person shall delay or interfere with the Village Board or any of the Village employees following lawful directions of the Board in compliance with orders heretofore stated. (6) MAINTENANCE OF STREET TREES. (a) Trimming, Pruning and Corner Clearance. Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of- way within the Village shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of 14 feet above street surface or 10 feet above the sidewalk surface. Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased, or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs, which constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The Village shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street light, or interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign or sight triangle at intersections. Tree limbs that grow near high voltage electrical conductors shall be maintained clear of such conductors by the electric utility company of jurisdiction in compliance with any applicable franchise agreements. (b) Tree Topping. It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or Village department to top any street tree or other tree on public property. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this section at the determination of the Village Forester. (c) Removal of Stumps. All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground. (7) DEAD OR DISEASED TREE. The Village shall have the right to cause the remedy or removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the Village, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects or disease, which constitute a potential threat to other trees with the Village. The Director of Public Works or Village Forester shall notify in writing the owners of such trees. Removal or corrective action shall be done by said owners at their own expense not more than 30 days of the receipt of notice, as determined by the Village Forester based on the seriousness of the tree's condition, and the danger to public safety. In the event of a failure of owners to comply with such provisions, the Village shall have the authority to remove such trees and charge the cost of removal on the owner's property tax notice. The Village must be sure that the tree is diseased before removal. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry or transport into the Village any trees, logs, or branches known to be affected with any communicable disease or insect, which may affect trees. Any such material brought in Page 37 of 43 Created: 2026-01-06 12:38:31 [EST] (Supp. No. 30) Page 4 of 4 the Village shall be disposed of by the parties responsible for bringing the diseased or infected trees, logs, or branches into the Village in the manner and in a location designated by the Director of Public Works or Village Forester. (8) ADJACENT LANDOWNER RESPONSIBILITY. No person shall remove, trim, cut roots, or disturb any public tree on any street, park, or other public place without a permit. The person receiving the permit shall abide by the standards set forth in this ordinance and by the Village Forester. (9) APPEALS. Any person who receives a determination or order from the Village and objects to all or any part thereof may appeal to the Tree Board within 7 days of receipt of the order, and the Board shall hear such appeal within 45 days of receipt of written notice of the appeal. After such hearing, the Board may reverse, affirm, or modify the order of determination appeal. The grounds for its decision shall be stated in writing. The Board shall by letter notify the party appealing the order or determination of its decision within 10 days after the hearing has been concluded and file its written decision with the Village Clerk. (10) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this ordinance shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration shall not invalidate any other provision of this section. (11) INTERFERENCE WITH VILLAGE. It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent, delay, or interfere with the Village, or any of its agents, while engaging in and about the planting, cultivating, mulching, pruning, spraying, or removing of any street trees, park trees, or trees on private grounds, as authorized by this section. (12) PENALTY. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, subject to a fine not to exceed those provided in section 18 [sic] of the Municipal Code. Total Fine 1st Offense $  250.00/day until corrected 2nd Offense $1,000.00/day until corrected Page 38 of 43 BUSINESS OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING DATE: March 5, 2026 PLACEMENT: Action Item ITEM TITLE: Germantown Approved Tree List Review (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION) SUBMITTED BY: SUMMARY EXPLANATION: ATTACHMENT: 1. Approved Trees_Comprehensive Tree Plan - Final Draft_2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: ACTION BY COMMITTEE: Page 39 of 43 followed this rule, or perhaps maintained even less tree diversity, may have lost as many as one in five trees because of EAB. The Village of Germantown now adopts a “20-10-5” rule. This means that no more than twenty percent of trees will be planted from one family, no more than ten percent from one genus and no more than five percent from one species. This rule will be evaluated in future years as current research seems to indicate that even more species diversity may be required to ensure the most resilient urban forest. It is also worth noting that diversity should address age, size and location and those factors should play a role in decisions that are made regarding new planting. Geographic Information System (GIS). The Germantown GIS must be updated with the location, species and year planted for all trees. Similarly, if an identified tree plot is left vacant the GIS must be updated. Condition Assessment: Over a 5-year cycle, the Village will conduct a condition assessment of all urban trees identified in GIS. The condition rating will be added as an attribute to the tree asset in GIS. Approved Tree List. The following trees are approved for planting in the ROW and parks: SMALL TREES Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Amelanchier arborea Downy Serviceberry Amelanchier x grandiflora Apple Serviceberry ‘Autumn Brilliance', ‘Robin Hill’ Amelanchier laevis Allegheny Serviceberry ‘Cumulus’, ‘Lustre’ Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam ‘Firespire’ Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud Crataegus crusgalli inermis Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn Crataegus viridis Winter King Hawthorn ‘Winter King’ Maackia amurensis Amur Maackia ‘Starburst’, ‘Summertime’, ‘JFS-Schichtel1’ Malus spp. Flowering Crabapple ‘Adirondack’, ‘Jewelcole’, ‘Bob White', 'Harvest Gold', ‘Jackii’, 'Prairiefire', ‘Professor Sprenger’, 'Red Bud', ‘Royal Raindrops’, ‘Sugar Tyme’, ‘Lanzam’, ‘Hargozam’ Ostrya virginiana Ironwood Page 40 of 43 Syringa pekinensis Peking Lilac ‘China Snow' Syringa reticulata Japanese Tree Lilac ‘Ivory Silk', 'Summer Snow', ‘Snowcap’, ‘Ivory Pillar’, ‘Snowdance’ Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry Dogwood ‘Golden Glory’ Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry ‘JFS-KW58’ MEDIUM TREES Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Aesculus glabra Ohio Buckeye ‘Sunset’ Cladrastis kentuckea American Yellowwood Carpinus betulus Hornbeam ‘JFS-KW1CB’; ‘Fastigiata’ Phellodendron amurense Amur Cork tree Nyssa sylvatica Black Tupelo Tilia spp. Linden ‘Crimean’; ‘Harvest Gold’; ‘Sterling’; PNI 6051’ LARGE TREES Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Aesculus flava Yellow Buckeye Carya cordiformis Bitternut Hickory Celtis occidentalis Hackberry ‘Prairie Pride', ‘Chicagoland’, ‘Windy Village’, ‘JFS-KSU1’ Cercidiphyllum japonicum Katsuratree Corylus colurna Turkish Filbert Autumn Gold' Eucommia ulmoides Hardy Rubber Tree Gingko biloba Gingko (male only) Autumn Gold', 'Magyar', 'Princeton Sentry' Gleditsia triacanthos inermis Thornless Honeylocust Imperial', 'Shademaster', 'Skyline/Skycole', 'Sunburst', 'Street Keeper/Draves' Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree ‘Espresso', 'Prairie Titan', ‘Decaf’ Liriodendron tulipifera Tuliptree Platanus x acerifolia London Planetree ‘Exclamation’ Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak Page 41 of 43 Quercus x ‘Crimschmidt’ Crimson Spire Oak Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak Quercus robur English Oak ‘Skymaster', 'Regal Prince', ‘JFS-KW1QX’ Quercus rubra Red Oak Quercus x macdanielii ‘Clemons’ Heritage Oak Quercus muehlenbergii Chinkapin Oak Quercus x schuettei Swamp x Bur Oak Ulmus x Hybrid Elm ‘Accolade', 'New Horizon', 'Regal', ‘Triumph’, ‘Discovery’, ‘Frontier’, ‘Pioneer’, ‘Cathedral’ Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm EVERGREENS TREES Do not plant on streets, evergreens obstruct visibility making them hazardous on street locations. Acceptable trees for parks and non-street tree locations. Scientific Name Common Name Cultivars Abies concolor White Fir Xanthocyparis nootkatensis Nootka Cyprus Juniperus chinensis Chinese Juniper Iowa', 'Mounntbatten' Juniperus x Star Power Juniper JN Select Blue' Picea glauca var. densata Black Hills Spruce Picea omorika Serbian Spruce Pinus bungeana Lacebark Pine Pinus flexilis Limber Pine Vanderwolf's Pyramid' Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine Fastigiata' Pinus sylvestris Scotch Pine Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglasfir Thuja occidentalis Arborvitae Smaragd', 'Hetz Wintergreen', 'Sunkist', 'Techny' Page 42 of 43 Thuja plicata Western White Cedar Tsuga canadensis Canadian Hemlock Metasequoia glyptostroboides* Dawn Redwood* ‘Gold Rush’ Taxodium distichum* Baldcypress* ‘Shawnee Brave’ The approved tree list is comprehensive, but subject to annual review with the update of this plan. The list provides the species of tree and its projected crown height when fully mature. Trees are placed in three categories: Small (mature crown height under 30 feet) Medium (mature crown height between 30 and 45 feet) Large (mature crown height over 45 feet) New Planting Locations. Street trees are a vital part of public infrastructure, reducing stormwater runoff, reducing heat, enhancing property values, and providing wildlife habitat. However, street trees share space with other public infrastructure, requiring careful selection of tree planting locations in the right-of-way. Because of this the following should take place: Utility marking: The applicant shall call Diggers Hotline to identify the locations of underground utilities before identifying a new location or conducting any ground-disturbing activities. Utility and Infrastructure Spacing: An appropriate amount of space must be allocated between a new tree planting location and existing infrastructure. Spacing requirements: Mature tree size and planting site size define the minimum tree spacing requirements. Alternative designs may be approved by the Village Forester. Large planting sites: Improved sites greater than or equal to 6.0 feet wide without overhead high-voltage wires Unimproved sites without overhead high-voltage wires Medium planting sites: Improved sites greater than or equal to 4.0 feet wide but less than 6.0 feet wide with or without overhead high-voltage wires Improved sites greater than or equal to 6.0 feet wide with overhead high-voltage wires Unimproved sites with overhead high-voltage wires Small planting sites: Page 43 of 43