Tree Planting Standards

The City of Windom Tree Commission is now offering another Boulevard Tree Program for 2016. 

Open as of January 1st, 2016 you can order your boulevard trees as follows.

Any property owner within the city limits that desires new boulevard trees please contact the City of Windom Tree Inspector at the Street Department 507-831-6137 after January 1, 2016.  Cost for each tree will be $25.00 and the trees will be planted by experience staff.  All the property owner needs to do is guarantee they will water the tree weekly throughout the 2016 growing season.  We advise property owners not to fertilize the new trees as it could harm them in the early stages of growing.  Quantities are limited so sign up right after the first of the year.   The trees are non-fruit bearing and are considered large shade trees.

 Reference:  CITY OF WINDOM RESOLUTION No. 2010-45 (Adopted 12-21-2010)

City to Control Tree Planting (Standards):  The City shall have control and supervision of planting shrubs and trees upon, or overhanging, all streets and other public property.  The City may establish and enforce uniform standards relating to the species and types of trees to be planted, placement and the maintenance and removal thereof.

1.  Definitions: 

a.      Setback:  For purposes of these standards, the term “Setback” refers to the land that extends from the edge of the road surface into adjacent private property a distance of fifteen feet (15’).

b.  Street Trees:  “Street Trees” are the trees situated in the Setbacks on each side of all streets, avenues, and roadways within the City ofWindom.

2.  Permit to Plant or Remove Trees:  No person shall plant or remove trees from the Setbacks in the City of Windom without first obtaining a permit issued by the City.  The Application form can be obtained at the Building & Zoning Office in City Hall or from the City of Windom’s website (www.windom-mn.com).   The permit will be issued free of charge.  Failure to obtain the required written permit, prior to planting or removing a Street Tree, is a misdemeanor.

3.  Street Tree Species:  The following list constitutes the official “Street Tree” species for the City ofWindom.  No species, other than those included in this list, may be planted as Street Trees without the written permission of the Tree Commission or the Street/Parks Superintendent.

 Such trees shall be not less than five (5) feet in height at the time of planting.

4.  Prohibitions on Plantings:  No bushes, shrubs, or hedges shall be planted on any Setback.     No person shall plant a Street Tree within five (5) feet of the property line of an adjacent property owner.

5.  Spacing:  The spacing of Street Trees shall be in accordance with the two size classes listed in No. 3 of these standards.  No trees may be planted closer together than the following specifications:

Small Trees – 30 Feet              Large Trees – 40 Feet,

except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect and approved by the City.

6.  Distance from Curb and Sidewalk:  The distance that trees may be planted from curbs or curb lines and sidewalks shall be in accordance with the two size classes listed in No. 3 of these standards, and no trees may be planted closer to any curb line or sidewalk than the following specifications:

Small Trees – 2 Feet                Large Trees – 3 Feet.

In locations where no sidewalks are present or anticipated, trees should be planted at least six (6) feet in from the edge of the roadway.  When possible, locate trees at least five (5) feet away from driveways.

7.  Distance from Street Corners and Fireplugs:  No Street Tree shall be planted closer than    thirty-five (35) feet from any street corner, measured from the point of the nearest intersecting curbs or curb lines. No Street Tree shall be planted closer than ten (10) feet to any fireplug.

8.  Utilities:  No Street Trees, other than those species listed as Small Trees in No. 3 of these standards, may be planted under or within ten (10) lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within ten (10) lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility.

9.  Public Tree Care:  The City shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.

10.  Residents or property owners shall keep all trees trimmed to a height of eight (8) feet above the sidewalk line.

11.  No person shall:  a) damage, cut, carve, kill or injure the bark of any tree or plant on public property; b) attach any rope, wire, or other contrivance to any tree or plant on public property; c) dig or otherwise disturb public grass areas, or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area of public property; d) cause or permit any wire charged with electricity or any gaseous, liquid or solid substance harmful to trees or plants to come into contact with them.

A printable version of the Standards may be found here.