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- New Jersey Board of Tree Experts
“Licensing legislation was proposed by industry groups and passed by the New Jersey legislature on January 16, 2010. The legislation is known as the Tree Expert and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act and on April 17, 2017, the Tree Expert and Tree Care Operators Licensing Law’s rules were adopted and promulgated.
The Act creates a licensing program under which individuals may become Licensed Tree Experts (LTEs) or Licensed Tree Care Operators (LTCOs) by passing an examination and demonstrating good moral character. Licensees will be required to complete continuing education requirements, abide by standards of professional conduct and ethics, and adhere to safety standards, as well as industry practice standards. No individual shall represent himself or herself to the public as a licensed tree expert or a licensed tree care operator or use any title, designation, word(s), letter, or abbreviations tending to indicate that such individual is a licensed tree expert or a licensed tree care operator without obtaining licensure as a tree expert by the Board of Tree Experts.”
- Minnesota
- Burnsville, Minnesota
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Rhode Island
- Louisiana
- General comment
Types of Insurance Coverage:
“There are different types of insurance coverage that a contractor may carry. When you contact their insurance company, clarify the specifics.
- Liability insurance ensures that the company will pay for damages to your home or possessions.
- Worker’s compensation insurance holds the company responsible, not you, if an employee is injured while working on the job. Not only does this protect you, hiring a contractor with its employee’s best interest in mind means they are more likely to follow safety guidelines.
Being bonded essentially means that whomever you hire has a line of credit in place that will guarantee that any work contracted will be completed or, if they are unable to perform the work, the bond issuer will reimburse you. Being bonded also means the company complies with permit regulations required to complete the job.”
IS Your Service Provider a Licensed, Bonder and Insured Tree Service provider?
“Insurance requirements will also vary from state to state. For example, in Minnesota, any business performing work on a tree over 12 feet tall must have workman’s compensation insurance. In Massachusetts, a landscaper’s insurance covers only 10 feet above the ground and is different from policies that specifically cover tree work.
Although every state has different requirements for licensed tree contractors, just as with any kind of service on your property, hiring a licensed, bonded contractor will protect you—and them—from potential injury or property damages.”
- Spokane, Washington – “Under Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) Section 10.25.010, a Commercial Tree Service License is required for any person or entity retained or hired to perform work on street trees in the City of Spokane Right-of-Way (ROW) or on public trees as defined in SMC 12.02.952.”
SDCI releases draft Tree Protection Ordinance update – Your chance to comment to SDCI
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) has released their long-awaited draft Tree ordinance. The current deadline to comment and respond to the draft and the SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) is March 3rd.
The Coalition for a Stronger Tree Ordinance, Friends of Seattle’s Urban Forest, Tree PAC and other groups will be holding a briefing on what’s in the draft and discussing a coordinated response to the City this Saturday.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sat, Feb 26, 2022, 10:00 AM – noon Pacific Time (US and Canada)Register in Advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItdOyuqzsiEtf7D2cozRNdBBMpNZyfN6MY
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Quick comparison of drafts with current ordinance (SMC 25.11):
|
SMC 25.11 – Tree Protection | ||
large exceptional trees protected |
24″ DBH plus Director Rule |
24″ DBH plus Director’s Rule |
30″ DBH plus Director’s Rule. |
trees on site plan |
12″ DBH and larger |
6″ DBH and larger |
6″ DBH and larger |
estimate SF zone trees covered |
18% |
45% |
45% |
SEPA appeal possible |
no |
yes |
yes |
Replacement fee in lieu for developers |
yes |
yes |
no |
in lieu fee goes to |
SDCI general budget |
Replacement and Preservation Fund |
no fund |
exceptional trees that can be removed outside development |
none, unless hazardous |
none, unless hazardous |
none, unless hazardous |
significant trees that can be removed by property owners outside development |
3 – 12″DBH trees/year |
2 significant trees in 3 years |
3 significant trees/yr |
Developers required to replace significant trees |
Trees 12” DBH to 24” DBH |
Trees 6” DBH to 24” DBH |
No replacement required |
register tree care providers |
Yes -separate bill |
yes |
no |
permits for removing significant trees on private property |
Voluntary reporting |
yes |
no |
2 week posting permits on site/on-line |
no |
yes |
no |
tree inventory before building permit issued |
no |
yes |
no |
tree replacement based on tree size for developers |
one tree upon maturity roughly proportional to canopy removed |
more trees required as removed tree diameter increases, 25 years to replace canopy lost |
one tree upon maturity that reaches equivalent canopy of removed tree |
Tree replacement required for trees removed 1 year before property purchased |
no |
yes |
no |
Maximize retention of significant trees during entire development process |
no |
yes |
no |
Covers all land use zones in the city |
No –excludes industrial, downtown and others |
yes |
no |
Several major issues of concern with SDCI draft:
- reduces inventory of trees on development sites in single family from 45% to 18%
- makes all decisions by SDCI regarding implementation of SMC 25.11 final and not appealable to a Hearing Examiner
- does not require maximizing the retention of existing trees on development sites
- replacement trees by developers only 1 for1 no matter size of tree removed
- minimal inclusion of provisions recommended to be included by the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission
See more detail here Issues of concern on draft SDCI Tree Protection Ordinance Feb 17 2022.docx – Friends of Seattle’s Urban Forest
Send comments on draft and SEPA to gordon.clowers@seattle.gov – deadline Thur. March 3, 2022.
- Urge 2-week extension from March 3rd to allow people more time to analyze draft and respond
- Urge SDCI drop proposal to use Master Use Permit 1 classification when implementing SMC 25.11
Documents:
Friends of Seattle’s Urban Forest
https://www.instagram.com/friendsofseattlesurbanforest/ https://twitter.com/ForestsUrban https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSeattlesUrbanForest Contributions to support our efforts are always welcome. Click here to donate.
Following Post is copied from Seattle Greenspace Blog – Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment to help make information available to the public
Three Positions Available: Apply by
2/24/22 to Join the Urban Forestry
Commission

The City of Seattle is now accepting applications for three positions on the Urban Forestry Commission, a 13-member body established to advise the Mayor and City Council around policy and regulations related to protecting, maintaining, and preserving trees and vegetation in the City of Seattle. There are three open positions:
- Position #2 – Urban Ecologist (or similar)
- Position #3 – Natural Resource Agency or University Representative
- Position #13 – Community/Neighborhood Representative.
Commission positions ask for a time commitment of roughly 8-10 hours per month. In addition to meeting one of the positions above, applicants must also understand the impact racism and race-based disparities have on communities of color and have an interest in working to eliminate these disparities and advance equity. Applicants should also have an interest in collaborating with other community members to develop recommendations for tree canopy care and protection, while centering the communities most burdened by lack of access to tree canopy and its related benefits, and demonstrated ability to develop collaborative, productive, and respectful relationships with people from diverse educational, social, cultural, and racial backgrounds.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in collaborating with a team of community leaders working on improving the care and management of Seattle’s tree canopy for the benefit of the community while centering communities most impacted by health and educational injustices, please apply by February 24. For information on the open positions and to access the application, please visit our website.
For more information, please contact Patti Bakker, Interim Urban Forestry Commission Liaison, at patricia.bakker@seattle.gov.
About the Commission:
The Urban Forestry Commission was established in 2009 by Ordinance 123052 to advise the Mayor and City Council concerning the establishment of policy and regulations governing the protection, management, and conservation of trees and vegetation in the City of Seattle. Commission meetings are held twice a month on the first and second Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Currently, meetings are being held remotely via Webex application (with access via either phone or computer). Commission members must live or work in Seattle and generally must commit approximately eight to ten hours per month to Commission business and serve without compensation. Additional information about the Urban Forestry Commission can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/urbanforestrycommission.
The thirteen-member UFC consists of a wildlife biologist; an urban ecologist; a representative of a local, state, or federal natural resource agency or an accredited university; a hydrologist; a certified arborist; a representative of a non-profit or non-governmental organization; a representative of the development community or a representative from a non-city utility; an economist, financial analyst, or Washington State license real estate broker; a Get Engaged young adult; an environmental justice representative; a public health representative; and a community/neighborhood representative.
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We need your help to increase protection for urban and community trees and forests in Washington State. HB 1216 has been introduced by Rep. Ramos and 8 other sponsors in the Washington State Legislature. It is a high priority bill to pass this session.
HB 1216 would direct the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to assist Washington cities and towns and counties in our state conducting tree inventories and canopy analysis, developing Urban Forestry Management Plans and drafting local Tree Ordinances.
This bill was requested by the Department of Natural Resources and is supported By Governor Jay Inslee. Governor Inslee has earmarked $2.1 million dollars in his proposed State Budget to support DNR’s efforts to increase protection for trees and urban forests. HB 1216 would help the state meet its goals of increasing climate resilience, protecting human health and addressing environmental equity.
HB 1216 is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, Jan 26 at 10 AM in the House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. To stay alive in the session, HB 1216 has to be voted out of the committee by Feb 15, 2021 and then out of the Appropriations Committee by Feb. 22, 2021.
The quickest and easiest way to let committee members know you support this bill is to send them an e-mail via Action Network. We have written a short e-mail draft supporting the bill to which you can add your own comments to personalize the message. With one click it will be sent to all the Committee members as well as the bill sponsors.
Submit Public Comments Now!
Thanks for your help.
Steve Zemke – Chair
Friends of Seattle’s Urban Urban Forests
stevezemke@friends.urbanforests.org
PS – Committee sign in – House Remote testimony-
You can additionally go to the Committee’s website on the hearing to sign up in support of the bill, submit written testimony online and/or testify in person via zoom. To speak you must sign up at least 1 hour before the hearing starts, and if time permits have 1 -2 minutes to speak, depending on how busy their hearing is. Written testimony submitted via this site is given to committee members and becomes part of the record.
Bill information – HB 1216 – Go to this legislative page to see the proposed text of HB 1216, to see the sponsors of the bill, the House Bill analysis, the history of the bill, to indicate your support for the bill, to send an e-mail of support to your own Legislative District Legislators and to sign up to get e-mail notifications of any changes in the bill’s status.