Native Trees and Invasive Trees

• Author: Tyler Adams
• Pages: 144-147

144 Sustainable Development Code: Climate Change

NATIVE TRE ES AND

INVASI VE TR EES

Tyler Adams (author)

Jonathan Rosenbloom & Christopher Duerksen (editors)

INTRODUCTION

Tree mitigation ordinances seek to grow the local tree canopy by requiring

the replacement of removed trees or, if that is not possible, taking alterna-

tive actions aimed at restoring green-space (see Tree Canopy Cover).1 ese

ordinances go a step fart her and require specic types of trees be used for

mitigation and address the removal of smal ler trees, bushes, grasses, native

woodlands, and w ildower s.2 Furthermore, ordinances c an require the

removal of invasive trees and their replacement with native trees.

Municipalities typical ly require developers or homeowners to apply for

tree removal permits when seeking to remove certa in types of protected trees.

Protected trees can include native, heritage, and historic trees. Invasive trees

are usually not considered protected, and thus may not require a permit to

be removed. Further, depending on the jurisdiction, invasive trees may or

may not need to be mitigated. Pursuant to this ordina nce, upon approval,

or as a condition of approval, protected trees removed during the course of

development must be replaced from a list of approved trees. e list is fre-

quently comprised of native trees, or at minimum, the species that have been

proven to be suitable to the area. Additionally, municipalities have the option

of requiring that a certain percentage of trees used as replacements be native

to the area.3 ese ordinances may also identify invasive trees and require

removal of those trees prior to approval.4

EFFECTS

ousands of trees are destroyed ever y year. ese trees provide critical ser-

vices that are vital to many associated ecosystems and include purication

of air and water, soil retention, and a variety of physical and psychological

benets. Requiring developers to replace trees removed during development

with native trees, allows a community to continue to retain ecosystem ben-