Approved by resolution of the City Council on April 21, 2009.
It is the policy of the City to remove trees and shrubs in the right-of-way which are diseased, dead, or a threat to public safety. Such trees and shrubs shall be removed by the City or its agent during a schedule of the City's choice and is subject to funding availability. Stumps generated from the removal of said trees and shrubs shall likewise be removed.
Final determination as to whether a tree or shrub is diseased, dead, or a threat to public safety shall be made by the City Manager or designated personnel. Please contact John Sayne at 269-469-2781 to report a tree in the right-of-way which is diseased, dead, or a threat to public safety.
The City, or contractor for the City, may plant trees and shrubs in the right-of-way, at the direction of the City Manager or designated personnel, in accordance with the criteria below.
Trees and shrubs planted in the right-of-way shall be of native species.
Wherever overhead utility lines are present, trees or shrubs planted in the right-of-way must be of a species with a mature growth height that is not expected to generate limbs which, if separated from the tree, would likely cause damage to those overhead utility lines.
In addition to native shrubs, native tree species suitable to be planted under utility lines include:
- Chokecherry, Common (Prunus virginiana)
- Dogwood, Flowering (Cornus florida)
- Dogwood, Grey (Cornus racemosa)
- Hawthorn (Cratageus spp.)
- Hornbeam, American (Carpinus caroliniana)
- Nannyberry Viburnum (Viburnum lentago)
- Redbud, Eastern (Cercis canadensis)
- Serviceberry, Downy (Amelancier arborea)
Here is a list of other tree species native to Berrien County. These species grow too tall to be placed under utility lines, but they could be planted in other locations:
- Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
- Beech, American (Fagus grandifolia)
- Birch, White (Betula papyrifera)
- Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica)
- Cedar, Eastern Red (Juniperus virginiana)
- Cherry, Black (Prunus serotina)
- Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
- Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
- Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)
- Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
- Linden/ Basswood (Tilia americana)
- Maple, Red (Acer rubrum)
- Maple, Sugar (Acer saccharum)
- Oak, Bur (Quercus macrocarpa)
- Oak, Chinkapin (Quercus muehlenbergii)
- Oak, Pin (Quercus paustris)
- Oak, Red (Quercus rubra)
- Oak, Swamp White (Quercus bicolor)
- Pine, Red (Pinus resinosa)
- Pine, White (Pinus strobes)
- Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
This page last updated on 11/10/2010.
