Arborist/Tree Preservation Report
Description
A technical document that provides detailed information about individual trees on private and public lands (such as the boulevard, park and natural area) that are affected by an application. The report identifies trees to preserve and protect, proposed tree removals, and outlines specific tree protection methods and treatments before, during and after construction on a site (including, but not limited to, the provision of required space for tree roots and crowns to develop and grow to maturity).
When Required
An arborist/ tree preservation report will be required if trees are impacted as part of the following application types:
- Rezoning
- Subdivision
- Plan approval
- Conditional use
- Variance
- Non-conforming approach
An arborist/ tree preservation report will be required when trees on public and private land are impacted by the proposal. A qualified arborist should prepare this report. A qualified arborist is considered to be an arborist or tree care professional who has demonstrated previous experience in tree protection and preservation and holds one or more valid designations listed below:
- Certified Arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
- Consulting Arborist registered with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA)
- Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
Rationale
Section 7 – Parks, Places and Open Spaces of the City of Winnipeg’s land use strategy Complete Communities states the following in regards to tree preservation:
“Public input indicates that Winnipeggers place significant value on our City’s trees. This “urban forest” extends beyond purely natural habitats to include planted environments such as street trees, trees on private properties and in parks.”
Further, under direction 3 in section 7 of Complete Communities commits to “the establishment of an urban forest management plan, continuing to preserve and expand our urban forest.”
In regards to the preservation of trees on private property, section 191. of Winnipeg Zoning By-law 200/2006 Preservation of Existing Trees-Incentive says:
“The owner shall receive credit against the amount of landscaping material otherwise required by section 190 for each healthy mature tree over 2.5 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) preserved on site. The credit for preserved trees is determined based on the size of the preserved tree, as show in in table 5-16 below. Credit for preserved trees must not result in any reduction of trees planted in street frontage landscaping unless the preserved trees are located within 20 feet of the front lot line.
*Based on these policies and in an effort to protect the city’s urban tree canopy, the Planning, Property and Development Department may request additional material including an Arborist / Tree Preservation Report when assessing development applications.*
Required Contents
An arborist/ tree preservation report must include the following basic information:
- Details of the existing tree species, location, size and condition
- Details of any associated significant vegetation worthy of protection in accordance with the Ecologically Significant Land Strategy
- Recommendations for tree protection
- Details of tree preservation and protection measures (before, during and after construction) for all trees that are to be preserved on site.
- Details of all trees proposed for removal
- Details of tree pruning (crown and roots), as applicable
- Appraised value of City owned trees affected by the application. This valuation will be conducted by the City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Branch in accordance with the City of Winnipeg Tree removal guidelines
- Schedule for site inspection and status reporting to the City by qualified arborists throughout construction
Evaluation
The report will be evaluated by the Urban Forestry Branch and Naturalist Services Branch, as applicable.
Assessments to be included in the report at a minimum are listed below:
- Species
- Size (diameter at breast height in cm)
- Condition Rating
- 100% Perfect tree or quality specimen
- 90% Excellent
- 80% Very good
- 70% Above average
- 60% Good or average
- 50% Below average
- 40% Fair
- 30% Poor
- 20% Very poor
- Location
- Offset from edge of tree trunk to development and construction envelope and tree protection zone
- Methods to protect root zone
- Value of tree (appraised and significance)
Examples/ References
- Tree planting
- Boulevard tree planting guidelines as required under development agreements
- Tree removal guidelines
- Tree planting details & specifications - Downtown area and reguional streets
- Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers. Guide for Plant Appraisal, 10th Edition, Revised, or most recent. International Society of Arboriculture.