Financial Assistance Available to Remove Hazardous Special Trees
Note: information on this blog post regarding financial assistance may be outdated.
If the recent derecho storm system damaged a Special Tree – a tree with a circumference of 55 inches or greater – on your private property and it is now considered hazardous, financial assistance may be available to help you safely remove it.
Under the Urban Forest Preservation Act (UFPA) of 2002, Special Trees are given unique protection and they cannot be cut, removed, girdled, topped or destroyed without a permit.
To get a permit, individuals must:
- Prove it is a hazardous tree;
- Show the tree is a species identified for removal;
- Pay into the Tree Fund; or,
- Agree to plant saplings whose aggregate circumference meets or exceeds the Special Tree in question
Through the Income Contingent Program for Hazardous Tree Removal, a program that exists but will not be funded until FY 2013, the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration will provide tree removal services free or charge for property owners who meet the criteria.
To receive financial assistance, a resident must:
- Own a single-family dwelling in the District.
- Receive a homestead deduction on their property tax bill.
- Have a hazardous tree on the private property that the house is on or on the public parking area abutting the private property.
- Meet the income eligibility requirements of an income-contingent District government assistance program and show proof of enrollment.
- Complete an application for assistance.
Within 30 days of the Urban Forestry Administration receiving an application an arborist will inspect the Special Tree and make a determination. If the tree is determined to be hazardous it will be removed within 120 days of the date of inspection.
Remember that if you remove a tree, the rule of thumb is to replace the tree using Right Tree, Right Space principles. We have several cost-effective programs to help you replace your tree this fall – the ideal time to plant trees.
Photo credit: Linden Tea on Flickr
Hi!My name is Johanna Narvaez.I live in Arlington county.I own a house and I have a huge old tree that it is located in my backyard and I would like to know if you know an organization who could help me to cut down this tree.
Thanks.
Removing trees – especially medium and large canopy ones – can be dangerous and often requires special equipment and training. Hiring a certified arborist will ensure the tree is removed properly, safely and without damaging personal property. You can find certified arborists – along with questions to ask them in advance – at http://caseytrees.org/resources/arborists/.
As a rule of thumb, it is always best to plant a tree when one is removed to protect against net canopy loss. You can learn more about out tree planting assistance programs at http://caseytrees.org/programs/planting/.
Happy planting.