City of Robbinsdale - Parks & Recreation - Forestry Department

Parks & Recreation

ROBBINSDALE PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY DEPARTMENT

Tree Information

The City of Robbinsdale plants trees on City-owned property (see Whose Tree Is It?) to replace those that have been removed, to honor citizen planting requests, and to enhance the community’s forest. Considerations for placement include the visual gap or void in the landscape, the age of the citizen request, future plans for the potential planting site, and utility/safety concerns (“locates” are done through Gopher One-Call prior to planting and adjustments made). The City Forester maintains the tree planting request log and, with other City staff, makes tree placement decisions. Trees planted on City of Robbinsdale property are planted and maintained at City expense – there is no cost to the adjoining property owner.

Painting a white “T” on the curb at the approximate planting location marks Chosen planting sites. A door hanger will then be left informing the occupant/property owner of the proposed planting. If you receive such a notice and have concerns or questions, call the Forestry Department.

Tree Selection

Once a tree-planting site has been selected, that site is evaluated in order to choose a tree species that is likely to thrive there. Determination is based on soil type, exposure, nearby plantings, possible utility and other conflicts, and the mature characteristics of the tree under consideration. Once a tree species has been chosen, care is taken to find a healthy example of that species – it that is not possible, then a substitution is made to assure a healthy and suitable choice.

Tree Planting

After trees have been planted, they will be watered at least twice by the City or its contractors. If the newly planted tree is near your house, a door hanger will be left, letting you know how to help the tree to remain healthy, thus providing a welcome addition to your home/business environment. The greatest need will be water.

New Tree Watering

With the large number of community trees under our care, the Forestry Department needs your help with watering newly planted trees and all trees during periods of drought. On average, trees need one inch of water a week during the growing season.

Guidelines:

   1. Water newly planted trees once every seven to ten days during dry periods in spring, summer, and fall.

   2. Water trees less than five years old every seven to ten days if significant rainfall has not occurred. 30-40 gallons, slowly applied, is desirable.

   3. Running your garden hose under the tree crown (expanse of branches) at a slow, gentle speed works well.

4. Mulch, properly placed around the tree trunk, helps conserve moisture (and reduces mechanical damage to the tree). See our information on obtaining wood chips.

Tree Disease Management

Two lethal and contagious vascular diseases threaten our community’s elms (Dutch elm disease) and oaks (oak wilt). Both diseases are spread via root connections between trees and bark boring insects, but are host-specific (i.e. Dutch elm disease only occurs on elms).
Once an elm or oak has been diagnosed with these diseases, it usually must be removed, and the wood and debris properly disposed of. In rare cases when early diagnosis allows, curative treatments (combined injection of systemic fungicides and removal of symptomatic wood) may be allowed. For details on tree removal procedures, please click here.

The City of Robbinsdale Code directs the Forestry Department in managing these diseases. When a dead or diseased elm or oak is located on private property, a notice will be sent to the property owner, identifying the tree(s) in question and explaining removal options. The notice also specifies the completion deadline, which is twenty days during the growing season. For more information about Dutch elm disease and oak wilt disease, check Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Council web site.

Tree Pruning/Removing

The City attempts to manage its community forest on an eight-year rotation. This means that City-owned trees (see Whose Tree Is It?) are divided into eight zones and, budget allowing, the trees in one zone are pruned each year. Trees are trimmed to reduce hazards, provide clearance, improve structure, and to remove dead/diseased wood . (see University of Minnesota Forestry Extension) In addition, citizen pruning/removal requests are considered and included in work plans as deemed necessary by the City Forester.

Diseased City-owned trees are removed within twenty days, as possible. Dead and dying trees, hazardous trees, and other trees that must be removed are scheduled according to relative risk to people and property, as well as budgetary and scheduling constraints.

The City chooses a tree service contractor each year based on bid prices for projected work, demonstrated performance, and ability to respond in a timely fashion.

Tree Removal

When a privately owned elm tree is confirmed to be infected with Dutch elm disease, a notice is sent to the property owner with the following instructions.

NOTICE TO REMOVE A DEAD/DISEASED ELM FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY

The City of Robbinsdale's Dutch elm disease program aims to control this contagious, fatal disease of elm trees, while meeting the requirements of Minnesota laws and regulations. Because the prompt removal of dead and diseased elm trees is the most effective method of controlling the spread of this disease, City Ordinance 835 orders the City Forester to inspect elms in the city, both public and private, identifying dead and diseased trees, and cause them to be removed in a timely manner. Accordingly, the City Forester has identified and marked an elm tree on your property as being dead or diseased.

Proper tree removal includes the following:
1. The tree is to be cut down, with the remaining stump cut as close as possible to ground level.
2. The remaining stump must be debarked above ground level.
3. No elm wood with attached bark, nor elm brush may be stored within the City of Robbinsdale. (This eliminates potential breeding sites of the elm bark beetles that spread the disease.)

TREE REMOVAL OPTIONS

Please choose from among the three options listed, noting your preference on the enclosed pre-stamped post card, signing it, and mailing it back to us (which greatly helps us in planning).

A. Request that the City of Robbinsdale's tree service contractor remove the tree.
1. The City Forester will authorize the City contractor to remove the tree and dispose of all resulting wood and brush. Note: stump grinding or removal is not included as part of tree removal.
2. The City of Robbinsdale will pay the bill for this work, and then invoice the authorizing home or business owner, plus a $75 administration fee.
3. Unpaid invoice balances after thirty days will be added to the property owner's taxes. This special assessment accrues interest, and shall be payable over a three-year period.

B. Property owner contracts with a tree service company licensed by the City of Robbinsdale to remove the tree.
Tree services must be licensed by the City of Robbinsdale, which requires proof of liability and worker's compensation insurance. A current list of licensed firms is enclosed. Licensed tree services must be used in order to qualify for the City Of Robbinsdale's tree removal subsidy (details Below).

C. Property owner removes the tree.
1. Homeowner assumes all risk, exercising appropriate safety precautions and consideration for neighboring property owners.
2. All resulting wood and brush from the tree must be disposed of at an approved disposal site. A list of such approved sites is available from the City Forester.

NONCOMPLIANCE WITH A TREE REMOVAL ORDER

If the property owner has not removed the tree by the removal deadline, the City of Robbinsdale is authorized to assign the work to the City's tree service contractor. The contractor will follow proper tree removal procedures detailed above, and will not remove the stump.

A. The City will invoice the property owner for the total cost of tree removal plus a $150 administration fee.
B. Unpaid balances after thirty days will be added to the property owner's taxes. This special assessment accrues interest, and shall be payable in full over a three-year
period.

For further information contact the Forestry office at (763) 531-1273.

Storm Damage

Response to City-owned tree damage is prioritized, addressing (in descending order) safety, passage and clearance, tree repair, and then general clean up. For tree removals, stumps will be ground out at a later date.

If you see a public tree that is leaning, has broken branches/hangers, cracks, or other defects that pose safety concerns, contact Forestry at (763) 531-1273 or Public Works at (763) 531-1202.

Private trees that are damaged in a storm should be approached with caution. Often, particularly after non-straight line winds, the damage to a tree or branch may not be immediately apparent. Branches that have come into contact with a power line could be dangerous.

If you suspect that a tree is in contact with an energized wire, stay clear of it and contact Xcel Energy immediately at 1-800-895-4999.

After a storm, properly dispose of debris , remembering that City of Robbinsdale Code prevents storage of elm wood with its bark attached.

Wood Chips

At present, the City is regrettably unable to make wood chips available to citizens. Many commercial tree firms make them available, often for free – so you might give them a call if you are looking. In addition, the City of Minneapolis makes wood chips available in many of their parks. These wood chips, generated from forestry operations, are suitable for mulching around trees and other landscape plants, reducing weeds and conserving water. University of Minnesota Forestry Extension discusses methods and benefits of mulching.

Back to the Forestry Main Page