This page describes the City of Tigard's existing
urban forestry code.
The existing code requirements will be in effect until July 2012 when the newly revised
code is scheduled for adoption. For information on the revised code, visit the
Urban Forestry Code Revisions web page,
or contact Todd Prager Associate
Planner/Arborist at todd@tigard-or.gov or 503-718-2700.
Tree Planting:
The City of Tigard supports the planting of trees on both public and private
property in order to maximize the environmental and aesthetic benefits provided
by trees. City tree planting activities include the planting of approximately
100,000 native trees over a 10 year period (Fiscal Years 2001-2011) within
the City's floodplains and riparian areas, and approximately 250 new or
replacement trees annually on other public lands. The City also requires
new development projects to plant and maintain street trees and landscape
trees per the requirements of Section 18.745
of the Tigard Development Code. Finally, the City provides assistance to Tigard
property owners in selecting, planting, and/or replacing street trees. For more
information on Tigard's tree planting programs, contact Tigard's City Arborist,
Todd Prager, at 503 718-2700 or email todd@tigard-or.gov.
Street Tree Planting:
Planting and maintaining street trees in the
City of Tigard makes our community a
nicer place to live. Street trees that are well cared for can be a source of pride,
satisfaction and environmental enhancement.
A very important aspect of planting street trees is choosing the right tree
for the right place. Selecting improper trees for planting sites can result in
various conflicts including, but not limited to:
- Tree(s) being severely deformed from pruning because of overhead utilities.
- Damage to sidewalks, pavement, or underground utilities caused by tree roots.
- Extensive root loss due to soil compaction, root pruning, or root flare damage,
all of which could create very hazardous conditions.
- Trees dying due to limited soil volume, limited growing space, or sensitivity to
urban stresses.
The Tigard Street Tree List was created to
assist homeowners, businesses and developers in choosing appropriate trees for
proper urban planting sites. The Tigard Street Tree List
focuses on street trees because the City regulates them to minimize potential
conflicts between trees
and public safety. The information in the Street Tree List
may also be used as a guide for selecting trees in parks, residential properties, businesses
and other desirable tree planting sites.
Time and money may be saved by choosing the appropriate tree for each location.
This efficiency is created by reducing tree maintenance, utility conflicts,
sidewalk and roadway repairs and tree removal and replacement activities.
Section 18.745.040(C)
of the Tigard Municipal Code has further specifications regarding placement and
spacing requirements for street trees. The following section has additional
details regarding tree placement relative to underground utilities.
If you have any questions regarding street tree planting contact Tigard's
City Arborist, Todd Prager, at 503 718-2700 or email
todd@tigard-or.gov.
Underground Utilities:
It is important to ensure that planting locations do not interfere with underground
utilities (water, gas, electric, etc.). The free service that locates utilities
is the Utility Notification Center.
Their phone number is 503-246-6699. Excavation
areas (where the trees will be planted) need to be clearly marked before the
service will come out to locate underground utilities. The reason for locating
underground utilities is for safety purposes and because city code does not
allow the planting of trees over utility lines.
Landscape Tree Planting on Commercial or Industrial Properties:
Commercial and industrial properties in Tigard must obtain City permission
before altering their landscaping. Landscape alteration includes, but is
not limited to the planting of trees. If you would like to obtain permission
to plant trees on commercial or industrial property, contact Tigard's City
Arborist.
Landscape Tree Planting for New Developments:
Section 18.745.050
of the Tigard Municipal Code contains specific landscape
tree planting guidelines for new residential,
commercial and industrial developments. The purpose of these requirements
is to use trees and other landscaping to provide a natural buffer between
differing land uses. Sections 18.620.070
and 18.630.090 of the Tigard
Municipal Code contain additional landscape tree planting requirements
for new development within the Tigard Triangle and Washington Square
Regional Center respectively. The purpose of these requirements is
to use trees and other landscaping that are consistent with the Tigard
Triangle and Washington Square design themes for buffering purposes.
Per Section 18.745.030, all trees and other landscaping that are installed
as a requirement for development approval must be maintained in good
condition and replaced as needed and approved by the City.
Landscape Tree Planting on City Property:
City staff actively plants trees on City property in order to improve the
appearance and environmental quality of parks, streams, wetlands, streets,
offices and other public facilities. All tree plantings on City
property must adhere to the requirements of
Section 9.06.030 of the
Tigard Municipal Code and Section 030 of the Tigard
Tree Manual.
Before planting trees on City property, permission from the City
according to the requirements of Section
9.06.030 of the Tigard Municipal Code must be obtained and planting must be
in accordance with Section 030 of the
Tigard Tree Manual. For questions or to obtain permission to plant trees on City property,
contact Tigard's City Arborist. To get involved in planting trees on City
property, contact Carla Staedter, Public Works
Volunteer Coordinator
at 503-718-2788.
Mitigation Tree Planting:
Mitigation tree planting is required in certain cases when trees are
removed during land development. The amount of mitigation trees
planted depends on the specific circumstance and the number, size and
percentage of trees removed for development. The specific mitigation
tree planting requirements are listed under
Section 18.790.030(B) and
Section 18.790.060(D) of the Tigard Municipal Code. The most important
requirement for mitigation tree planting is that trees are placed
sufficient distances from other trees, buildings and infrastructure
to allow for their growth to maturity.
|  |
 |
|
|
|
