Dear Reader:
The following document was created from the MTAS electronic library known as MORe (www.mtas.tennessee.edu/more). This online library is maintained daily by MTAS staff and seeks to represent the most current information regarding issues relative to Tennessee municipal government.
We hope this information will be useful to you; reference to it will assist you with many of the questions that will arise in your tenure with municipal government. However, the Tennessee Code Annotated and other relevant laws or regulations should always be consulted before any action is taken based upon the contents of this document.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments regarding this information or any other MORe material.
Sincerely,
The University of Tennessee
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
1610 University Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
865-974-0411 phone
865-974-0423 fax
www.mtas.tennessee.edu
To help prevent potential crisis situations that trees create periodically, a community should establish a tree board. This board is charged with looking ahead to the needs and potential problems of the community’s tree resource. Doing so can save the community money and create a more aesthetically pleasing city or town.
Roles of tree board members may include any or all of the following:
Roles
In addition to the long-term look at their trees, a community tree board may be responsible for accomplishing some or all of the following:
1. Planting trees;
2. Coordinating with other groups that might plant trees;
3. Preparing a plan of tree activities for the community;
4. Planning the Arbor Day ceremony;
5. Providing tree information to other groups;
6. Selecting species for various planting projects;
7. Arranging for donations of trees or money for trees;
8. Pruning young trees;
9. Collecting data on trees or arranging for a tree inventory to be accomplished;
10. Making safety inspections of public trees;
11. Advising municipal departments on tree problems and removal needs;
12. Setting up memorial tree planting programs;
13. Arranging for publicity about trees;
14. Establishing a local awards program to recognize individuals and groups for their tree efforts;
15. Handling complaints about tree problems;
16. Serving as a body of expertise about trees for the local government and its local citizens, especially when there is no city forester; and
17. Advising the local government on ordinance needs and revisions.
DISCLAIMER: The letters and publications written by the MTAS consultants were written based upon the law at the time and/or a specific sets of facts. The laws referenced in the letters and publications may have changed and/or the technical advice provided may not be applicable to your city or circumstances. Always consult with your city attorney or an MTAS consultant before taking any action based on information contained in this website.
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