FAQs - Details

Question

Does the town of Munster cut down trees located in the parkway at the request of a homeowner?

Answer

The trees located in the parkway are owned by the Town. However, property owners are expected to water and maintain the trees, including trimming and removal of dead branches. While the Town will remove any parkway tree that creates a hazardous situation and will also remove any dangerous limbs, every homeowner has the option of removing any parkway tree at their own expense should the Town’s timeframe of action not coincide with their own. Tree removals are not based on % dieback, except in the case of Emerald Ash Beetle trees where dieback of over 25% of the canopy will soon be fatal to the tree. Other trees with canopies that are 50% dead should be looked at for either possible trimming or removal. Removals are based on assessing the risk of failure and damage it will cause to a target, such as cars on the street, houses, pedestrians, etc. A tree may have little or no canopy dieback but the trunk may be hollow causing tree failure. In other words, a completely green tree can fail if the tree structure is bad. Trees can also fail if the root system is compromised and reduced or decayed. The Town’s Urban Forester is consulted as needed by Public Works on decisions of tree removal which might involve a tree risk assessment to rate vigor of the canopy (green and growing), form (structure of trunk and branching), nature of the defect, size of the hazardous limb and potential target if tree or limb falls. All other tree problems in the parkway or on a resident’s property are a private matter and residents will need to contact a private tree service or do their own maintenance. If the tree is dying or dead it is to be inspected by the Town’s Urban Forester before the Town considers it for removal. Residents can call 836-6970 to request a tree inspection for that purpose.

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Munster, IN 46321
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