Community Tree Management is one of the first reviews that the SCN is undertaking. It will give us all a better understanding of what this process will need in terms of support and yet be of benefit to the Fox Valley community as our member communities look to improve tree related codes in the years to come.
The rules followed in our localities vary. The following chart details the differences between the ordinances in the Fox Valley area. We found that the tree management codes were integrated with the plant and disease topics. See below for brief comments about this survey effort that we are not able to fit into the charting format. Please see Terrace Planting Management Page 2 for additional community reviews.
1) Should ordinance comment on plants that block city signs?
2) City websites are changing frequently, so reference code links may change too.
3) Madison has an Edible Landscape Ord 8.33 (not community gardens) requiring permit, planting plan, no permanent improvements but water, and all refuse material removed by 11/15 of each year.
Updated 2014-09-10
| City of Menasha | City of Neenah |
City of Oshkosh | Town of Menasha | Town of Greenville | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Code Location | Chapter 4 6-4-1 | 10, 18, 26 | Chapter 26, 25-29 & 30, 30-35 | 8.04 | #282 Urban Forestry | |||
| Main Focus | Public Lands | Public and Private | Tree planting, maintenance, protection | Public Nuisances | Both Public & Private Trees/Shrubs | |||
| What is Public | Terrace 4′ in from curb | 2.5′ from curb line or outer line of sidewalk | ||||||
| Purpose | Public Health/ Welfare | Public Health/ Welfare | Public health/ welfare | Farms, Trails, Keep nature in Harmony | ||||
| Program Admin | City Forester | City Forester/Park Superintendent | City Forester or City Manager | Town Board | Urban Forestry Board | |||
| Tree Planting Program | Details on city website | Taking Root Fund – upon request depending on funding availability. Streets that are reconstructed receive a 1:1 replacement for trees removed. | Greenville Youth Forestry Board | |||||
| Tree City | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Tree Varieties | Menasha Recommended Tree Species | Oshkosh Recommended Tree Species | ||||||
| Trees prohibited | none | Terrace – Polar, Box Elder, Catalpa, Birch, Willow, Conifer, Silver Maple, Mulberry, Buckeye, Horse Chestnut, Hickory | Box Elder, Silver Maple, All members of Poplar Family | Terrace – Catalpa, Chinese Elm, White Poplar, Lombardy Poplar, fruit/nut | none | |||
| Plants prohibited | none | Wis Stat 23.235(1)(a),66.0407(1)(b) Ch NR40,Wis Admin Code | Zoning Code, 8.2 | Thistle, Spurge, Bindweed, Loosestrife,Multi-floral Rose, Ragweed, Burdock | ||||
| Insects Prohibited | Tent Catepillars | Elm Bark Beetle | Ash Bore | |||||
| Disease Watched | Dutch Elm | Dutch Elm | Dutch Elm | Dutch Elm | none | |||
| Chemicals Prohibited | ||||||||
| Tree Spraying | Public trees by City | property owner | ||||||
| Terrace Tree Trimming Details | Limbs 8′ above walk, 14′ above street,do not block lights | Limbs 8′ above walk,14′ above street | Limbs 8′ above walk,12′ above street | Limbs 10′ above walk | ||||
| Trimmed by | City | City Forester | Property owner or City if considered nuisance | |||||
| Terrace Planting Guidelines | Terrace width 3′ min, 30′ tree spacing min,25′ min from intersections, no evergreens,tree grates provided for surrounded byconcrete, no other plantings higher than 8″ above ground | permit required | Permits for terrace plants, All plants mustbe 3′ from curb /walks, Height limit is 3’within 8′ of curb | |||||
| Planted by | City | Permit Req’d | Permit Req’d | |||||
| Private Citizen Rules on Corners | All plants, trees, other must yield clear visibility 2.5 to 10′ from ground | Vision Triangle | none | Corner lot clear visibility 2 to 10′ fromground | ||||
| Tree Frames | Permitted, approved by Forester | |||||||
| Reference Link | Menasha Tree/Bench Donation Form | Why a Greenbelt? | ||||||
| Additional Ordinances | ||||||||
| Nuisance Code | Chapter 7 11-7-1 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 26-10 | |||||
| Details noted | Private trees must clear walks 10′,dead trees removed by owners | City can order trees cut on private land | ||||||
| Shoreline Conservation | Article C Sec 13-2-20 | Shoreland Ordinance – Chapter 30-51 | ||||||
| Conservation Subdivision Rules | 270-16; Small lots with shared services focusing on natural aspects | |||||||
| Business Landscaping | Zoning Chap 26, Art 10 | Plans submitted to City | Zoning, Art 8 | 320-60; very detailed | ||||
| Lawn Weeds and Grasses | Chapter 4 6-4-1 | Greenville code 307 | ||||||
| Details noted | Grass height max 8″ | Grass height max 8″ | Max grass height is 10″; weed commissioner reviews complaints | |||||
| Natural Areas | Chapter 10 | Permitted, but no prohibited plants grown |