§ 522.01 PURPOSE. The purpose of Ashville Urban Forestry (Chapter 522.01) is to enhance the quality of life and the present and future health, safety, and welfare of all citizens, to enhance property values, and to ensure proper planting and care of trees on public property, the Village Council herein delegates the authority and responsibility for managing public trees, creates a Tree Advisory Board, establishes practices governing the planting and care of trees on public property, and makes provision for the emergency removal of trees on private property under certain conditions. Trees and shrubbery growing within the public right-of-way are the responsibility of the abutting property owner for care and maintenance but remain there only by consent of the village. No such tree, if removed, may be replaced except by permission of the village.

Tree Permits

Do I Need A Tree Permit?

Tree permits relate to planting, pruning, or removal of trees. To determine whether you need a tree permit, you must first determine if your tree is on private or public property.

Private Property

If your tree is on your private property, you DO NOT need a tree permit.

Public Right-of-Way

If your existing or planned tree is in the public right-of-way, you may need a tree permit depending on the kind of work you will be doing on the tree. Since the width of the right-of-way varies from street to street, and sometimes from block to block, you should always check before working on trees anywhere near roads or alleys.

Unsure

If you are unsure if your tree is in the right-of-way, please contact our office at 740-983-6367, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

My tree is in the public right-of-way

If you have determined that your tree is in the right-of-way, these are the ONLY two conditions in which a tree permit is NOT required.

1. Planting with assistance from Urban Forestry
   • You may plant a tree in the right-of-way as long as you contact Urban Forestry for technical assistance beforehand. (homeowners planting at residential locations only)
2. Minor Pruning*
   • You may engage in minor pruning if it meets these all three of these requirements.
     1. Branches being pruned do not exceed two inches in diameter
     2. Pruning does not exceed 15% canopy loss
     3. The tree is more than 10 feet from a power line

*Planting and pruning work must meet Village Arboricultural Specifications and Standards (PDF 2.724 MB)  and Standard Planting Diagram (PDF 171 KB).

Any tree work within a right-of-way that does not meet the above conditions DOES require a tree permit, and you must follow the steps below.

How to apply for a Public Tree Permit

Step one: Hire a Certified Arborist from our list.

Disclosure: This is a list of tree services that meet minimum qualifications for a Village of Ashville Commercial Tree Service License. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement from Urban Forestry.

Company Name	Phone

*Currently qualified to provide Risk Assessments, ~as of November 30, 2020

Step two: Your Certified Arborist fills out the Public Tree Permit Application and submits it to the Ashville Urban Forestry Program.

Step three: Ashville Tree Advisory Board or Urban Forestry staff will review your application and inspect the tree site before approving or denying the Public Tree Permit Application. We will notify the applicant of the decision, typically within 10 working days. Do not begin any tree work until an approved permit has been issued.

Because it only takes a moment to improperly prune or remove a tree but a lifetime to grow the right tree in the right place, it is imperative to protect and preserve mature trees from unnecessary damage or removal.

Therefore all pruning, planting, and removals of public trees within the public rights-of-way (or any public tree located on Village property) must be performed by an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist with a current Commercial Tree License (PDF 96 KB) and an approved Public Tree Permit. A street obstruction permit may also be required to perform the work and can be obtained through Village of Ashville Engineering Services, 740-983-6367.

Different site conditions can dictate which tree species are most appropriate for different planting locations within the Village. For guidance on species selection, please consult our Approved Street Tree List (PDF 2.91 MB).

Items of Interest

• Approved Street Tree List(PDF 2.91 MB)

• Standard Planting Diagram(PDF 171 KB)

• Arboricultural Specifications(PDF2.55 MB)

• Public Tree Permit Checklist (PDF 239 KB)

• Public Tree Permit (PDF 183 KB)

• Commercial Tree License (PDF 96 KB)

• Executed Tree Ordinance 2020-06 (PDF 4.402 MB)

• TCIA-ASC A300 Policies and Standards Develpment Procdures Draft 6 Version 2 (PDF 80KB)