Purpose & Intent of Tree Advisory Board

In December 2014, the Village Board of Trustees enacted legislation that created a Tree Advisory Board. As described in this legislation, the purpose of and intent of the board is to:

• Promote efficient and cost-effective management of the village’s community forest by assuring that decisions regarding the care and maintenance of public trees are consistent within the Village and in accordance with an overall tree management plan.
• Reduce the village’s exposure to liability by eliminating sources of tree related hazards as they become evident and by reducing occurrences of tree hazards through improved care and maintenance.
• Reduce the village’s exposure to liability by eliminating sources of tree related hazards as they become evident and by reducing occurrences of tree hazards through improved care and maintenance.
• Maintain all public trees in a healthy and attractive condition through good cultural practices (i.e. accepted standards of maintenance).
• Establish and maintain the maximum sustainable tree cover in order to protect and enhance the environment and the character of the Village.
• Establish and maintain an optimal level of age and species diversity through the use of an ongoing tree inventory and tree management plan.
• Centralize tree management under a voluntary, permanent Tree Advisory Board.
• Maintain a system that clearly identifies roles for Tree Advisory Board members and community volunteers and facilitates the coordination of tree work between these entities and the Village’s staff, elected officials, Recreation Advisory Committee and Highway Department.
• Assist the Village Board in establishing and maintaining a tree management budget and the means for funding it.
• Foster community support through regular educational outreach, and encourage good citizen tree management practices through knowledge sharing.