Dead trees; City of Rochester meddling in people’s tree issues: What’s going on? – Post Bulletin

Dear Answer Man: Am I the only one, or are there more and more dead trees in our city? Wherever I go, there seem to be dozens and dozens of dead or dying young or neglected boulevard trees. The older trees are clearly noticeable throughout the city. — Chirpy, President of the Winged Squatters Society.

Dear Chirpy,

Boulevard trees, their deaths this spring and what to do with them were a constant topic in the old Answer Man’s inbox.

Like a dog whose days have come and gone, it is sad when a tree needs to be put out of its misery, but it may also be necessary.

We’ve had several storms in the last six weeks that have caused tree damage, and the city has been inundated with requests to remove tree debris from along the boulevards (the city’s problem) and from people’s front yards (probably not the city’s problem).

Our good friend Megan Moeller of the City of Rochester said this: “The City has responded to 1,100 storm-related requests since the May 21 storm. Hundreds of public trees were damaged to the point of having to be removed for safety reasons, as were an unknown number of private trees.”

How much wood could a groundhog throw? Well, there are enough fallen trees in Rochester to thoroughly test that question.

Another Answer Man fan (hey, who isn’t a fan?) asked the following: When does the city get involved in the tree business and when does it leave a tree mess to a property owner? Reader Mike asked, “A while back I emailed the city and asked if someone could look at my big old ash tree in the back yard and tell me if it needed to be cut down. They replied that they don’t deal with trees on private property and I need to call a tree service company. And then I see in PB that the city is starting to look at trees on private property to tell property owners that they need to have trees removed. Well, now which is right?”

Good question. Again, Moeller fills us in on the city’s role. She said trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and the city does not have a program to pick up trash on private property. Residents are encouraged to dispose of trash from private property by using Hathaway Brush Dump. Prices range from $10 for a car or van full of brush and tree debris to $30 for a “large pickup.”

“The city employs a seasonal inspector each summer to inspect private property for trees that may be considered a threat to the public,” Moeller said. “Hazards to the public include trees that may fall onto property or other public lands, trees that may affect electrical systems in a neighborhood. A threat to one neighbor or even a group of neighbors is not considered a threat to the public.”

In such cases, the city may tag trees on private property for removal at the landowner’s expense. This may also include trees with diseases listed in Rochester’s nuisance tree ordinance, including oak wilt and Dutch elm disease. Also, if you have a dead tree on public property or a tree with “deficiencies in structural integrity that a city arborist has determined are likely to fall and cause a public nuisance,” that tree may be tagged for removal.

Given the number of storms – particularly as a result of last year’s drought, which killed many trees, Moeller said – and the ongoing impact of the Asian ash beetle, it is simply not a good time for trees overall.

“This is some of the worst storm damage in a decade,” Moeller said. “Hundreds of public trees were damaged to the point where they had to be cut down for safety reasons, as well as an unknown number of private trees.”

So folks, enjoy your green friends while you can. Those trees that provide so much shade, convert CO2 into the oxygen we breathe, and provide homes for furry and feathered friends all need a hug.

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