[CANUFNET] Woodlot/Ravine hazard tree inspections

[Ward, Greg]

  We have a tree hazard inspection cycle for natural areas in park land
that inspects for targets such as adjacent roads and sidewalks, and
within the park we inspect for targets such as paths, playgrounds, sport
fields,  some types of forest trails etc.   We do not schedule
inspections for  natural areas adjacent to private property residences
for the following reasons...

                

*         We are most concerned about human injury than property damage.

*         Human occupancy of residential yards is low in the late fall
and early winter when tree failures are the greatest. 

*         Human occupancy of residential yards is highest in the
spring/summer/early fall when tree failures are minimal and usually
result from defects that are obvious to the lay person 

*         Residents tend to monitor park trees adjacent to their
property and call for assessments 

*         Residents are often aware of tree failure history and/or
trends adjacent to their property and call the City for assessments  

 

Our current budget allows us to return on the cycle about every 13
years.  If  we were to do inspect residential targets the cycle would
increase dramatically.  We respond to any requests from adjacent private
property residences and will undertake any hazard mitigation that
reaches a certain threshold.  

 

We believe that the above is a reasonable and defensible approach though
it has not yet been tested in court.   Perhaps it has not been tested in
court because it is reasonable?

 

Feel free to call to discuss. 

 

GREG WARD | MANAGER, URBAN FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

 

Parks, Recreation and Culture

14645 - 66 Ave, Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 5M2
T 604.501 5170 | F 604.501 5177   www.surrey.ca

 

Please consider the environment before printing this email

 

  

 

 

 

From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net
[mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of BGeerts at brantford.ca
Sent: April-21-09 8:46 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Subject: [CANUFNET] Woodlot/Ravine hazard tree inspections

 


For the municipalities and land managers out there, does anyone have a
hazard tree inspection cycle for natural areas that abut private land?
IE: City woodlot abuts residential backyards; ravine along schoolyard,
etc. 

"No" answers are just as valuable as "yes". 

If no, are there plans to start one?  If yes, how long is the cycle?
What degree of data collection is there?  Legal
constraints/implications? 

________________________
Brian Geerts 
Urban Forestry Technician
City of Brantford 
Parks & Recreation Department
1 Sherwood Drive
Brantford, ON     N3T 1N3
519.756.1500 x5511
Fax 519.756.4893 
bgeerts at brantford.ca

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