[CANUFNET] Tree Removal Letter

[Tim Yeaman]

Good morning everyone,

So I have a letter that we use when we are in an area doing block pruning.  I try and give the residents as much notice as possible so that we accommodate them but they also work with us to accommodate the work needing to be done.  In the past we would just go in to an area and set up without any notice and try to get the work done.  We switched this practice about a year ago as I realized there is much needed value in maintaining our relationship with the public and keeping them in the know.  This process has gone a long ways in dealing with complaints, irate taxpayers and inconveniencing those homeowners who are affected, and to top it off we are much more productive today because we seem to have a better perception of the work we do when the public are on our side.

As far as tree removal – we try to work with the public when we are taking down a boulevard tree, especially when that tree impacts the resident of that home.  We are not always successful in informing all homeowners as we have many rental properties in the city that are owned by investors outside our province.  So in these cases sending a letter is not always convenient.  Unfortunately not every situation warrants a letter either – some take downs have to be dealt with immediately due to the risk assessment provided at that time.  Moving forward we have now completed an entire tree inventory of our city boulevards and with this inventory we will be conducting full tree assessments on particular trees such as Birch, Schubert and Poplar at this time.  These are the trees demanding much of our attention these days due to Birch Leafminer, Borer and Black Knot/Gummosis  - these trees are the most likely to fail, are in severe decline or have outlived themselves.  From the information we gather I am hoping to provide clearer direction to the staff as to their priorities and to be able to provide the homeowner with some indication of our plans moving forward when we do come in to complete tree removals.   So once I have an opportunity to look at devising a letter I would be more than glad to provide that.  I would also love to see what letters other communities are using when dealing with these situations.

At this time honesty is the best possible when dealing with the public and our trees.  Working on bettering our relationship with them, keeping them informed while still following the 3-D’s of Tree Removal – Dead, Diseased or Dangerous.  You can only win some of the battles and with those we can’t we do the best we can to continue educating and informing.

All the best to all of you – Tree Business can be hard but also worthwhile!

Timothy G. Yeaman
Operations Foreman Forestry
City of North Battleford
tyeaman at cityofnb.ca<mailto:tyeaman at cityofnb.ca>
Tel:   [306] 445-1747
Cell: [306] 481-5016
Fax:  [306] 445-1788

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From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Jim McCready
Sent: July-19-16 3:24 PM
To: Tim Fedoruk <timfedoruk at yahoo.ca>; Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Tree Removal Letter

Taylor
Go with the letters you got from the City of Ottawa . They had a professional advisor assist with what they put together. They are a member of our  Regional  Forest Health Network which includes eastern Ontario , West Quebec and Northern New York State.
What City of Ottawa uses the rest of our Municipality uses
Cheers
Jim McCready R.P.F.
Chair
Regional Forest Health Network
Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 19, 2016, at 4:04 PM, Tim Fedoruk <timfedoruk at yahoo.ca<mailto:timfedoruk at yahoo.ca>> wrote:
Good afternoon Taylor;

I am a resident of Thames Centre (Dorchester ON 10km east of London). This Municipality doesn't even contact the residents that work will be done. They just do it and then deal with(or ignore) the residents that complain and ask questions. I asked the Manager of Roads in Oct '14 and he stated that they doesn't have the time to notify every resident that if there is a tree that they feel creates a "safety issue" they just chop!

There are by-laws that give them the right to enter onto private property and trim/remove the offending tree/shrub etc. if, in their opinion, a safety issue is at hand. No fact just an opinion.

Good luck with your letter.

Respectfully,

Tim Fedoruk

________________________________
From: Taylor Morris <taylor_morris at live.ca<mailto:taylor_morris at live.ca>>
To: "canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>" <canufnet at list.web.net<mailto:canufnet at list.web.net>>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2016 1:26 PM
Subject: [CANUFNET] Tree Removal Letter

Hello All,

I am creating a letter to give to residents when the region is going to remove their boulevard tree (primarily for EAB).

Does anyone have any samples or tips of what to include in this letter.

Any information would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Taylor Morris
Forestry Student
Region of Waterloo
TMorris at regionofwaterloo.ca<mailto:TMorris at regionofwaterloo.ca>

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