Planting trees is an important part of any urban forestry program. The urban forestry staff is always looking for opportunities to plant new trees in the street right-of-way or in our parks.Planting more trees than the number of trees removed each year will ensure an urban forest for the future.If a street tree is removed, the site is evaluated for replanting.The type of soil, space limitations, and presence of above/below ground utilities are all taken into account when deciding if a new planting is warranted.If a new planting is recommended, the site is placed on a replanting list.Trees are planted as resources become available.
Citizens can also request a street tree to be planted in the right-of-way if an empty site is available.If a citizen wishes to plant their own tree, they must first receive a permit from the city.There is no cost for the tree planting or permit. The city relies on citizen help to ensure newly planted trees get the water they need after planting and during drought periods.Citizens can also let us know if there is a problem with a newly planted tree.By working together, trees will have a better chance of surviving and providing benefits for the whole community.To request a tree or apply for a planting permit, please contact the City Forester.
Remember!Call Tennessee One Call (dial 811) to locate any underground utilities before you dig.
TREE PRUNING
City crews prune trees for safety, tree health, street/sidewalk clearance, and traffic sign and signal clearance.Proper pruning techniques are essential for enhancing public safety and for the future tree health.The goal of the urban forestry staff is to eventually schedule routine pruning activities by management zones.Until then, the city responds to pruning requests form the public based on priority.
Citizens may apply for a pruning permit if they wish to prune any Street or public tree.Citizens must be able to follow the pruning requirements described in the Arboricultural Standards and Specifications Manual (link?) to receive a permit.
TREE REMOVAL
Trees have a natural life span.That life span is often much shorter in an urban environment than in a natural setting.Eventually, even the most enduring tree gets old and dies and needs to be removed.Trees are also susceptible to damage or death from storms, diseases, insects, and even humans.When these events occur, a once-beautiful tree can become a real hazard to life and property, or can threaten other healthy trees around it.
Trees are identified for removal by the City Forester.If a citizen suspects that a tree is dead or a potential hazard the City Forester will inspect the tree to make a determine if removal is warranted.If a tree is scheduled for removal, the city will make every reasonable effort to contact the adjacent property owner before action is taken. Public Tree removal by a citizen, business, or tree service is prohibited without first securing a permit from the City Forester.There is no charge for the permit.
ROADSIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Johnson City utilizes an integrated roadside vegetation management program that combines manual, mechanical, chemical and cultural methods to control vegetation on public rights-of-way.Preserving and introducing native plants that take the place of exotic/invasive plants and noxious weeds is also a key component of IRVM.This holistic approach to vegetation management results in reduced maintenance costs and minimizes herbicide usage.
Good stewardship of the environment is an important component of IRVM.Environmental concerns are taken into consideration when making vegetation management decisions.A good neighbor approach is also used for all abutting property owners/residents whose properties are adjacent to the rights-of-way and to those who use the rights-of-way.
Why is it necessary to control vegetation along the roadside?
Vegetation is controlled to improve traffic safety by: clearing sight problems (at intersections, near driveways, in roadway curves), clearing obstructed traffic signs, removing vegetation that encroaches into the roadway.
Many plant species growing along the roadway are considered to be exotic/invasive species. These species displace native vegetation. Trees such as Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissama) can grow 6 feet or more a year.
Aesthetic reasons-weeds in sidewalks or concrete medians
Vegetation on the road shoulders and ditches can prevent water from properly draining away from the road surface, shoulders, and ditches. This excess moisture causes the roadbed to deteriorate, and is one of the major reasons for road surface failures. Vegetation is removed to extend the life of the roads, and prevent costly repairs.
Vegetation along the road is an unnecessary hazard to a motorist who runs off the road
What methods does the city use to control vegetation?
Manual.Manual methods of control include the use of chains saws, weed eaters and other hand tools.Trees in the right-of-way are removed if they are too close to the roadway or pose a hazard to the public.Desirable trees are pruned to maintain minimum height and side clearances.
Mechanical.The city uses a boom mower on right-of-way areas that have become over grown with brush and small trees.
Cultural.Cultural methods are practices that promote the growth of desirable plants, which reduces the opportunities for weeds and other undesirable vegetation to grow.
Chemical.The use of herbicides.
Why are herbicides used to control vegetation?
Applying herbicides takes less time than manual or mechanical methods and results in reduced worker exposure to work zone traffic accidents, reduced driver distractions, reduced traffic delays, and reduced risk of flying debris from boom mower operations.
Herbicides are the most cost-effective means to control vegetation.Fewer personnel are needed to maintain a larger area.
There are wide range of herbicides that can be chosen to tackle specific needs of a site.
What are some of the techniques used to reduce the total amount of herbicide being used, reduce the aesthetic impact of sprayed roadsides, and reduce any possible environmental impacts?
Only target vegetation is sprayed.Spot spraying is used in place of broadcast methods.Desirable vegetation is left to help control erosion and stabilize slopes.
Selective herbicides are used to control herbaceous broadleaf weeds, as well as encroaching brush without injuring roadside turf.
Herbicide treatments are made to freshly cut stumps to reduce vigorous re-sprouting.
Re-sprouts are treated early to prevent re-establishment and the browned-out appearance of vegetation that has sprayed when it was too tall.
The City maintains a list of all spray sites.Each site is regularly monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of past herbicide applications.Many follow-up monitoring visits involve only spot-spraying or no herbicide application at all.
The policies and procedures of the IRVM program are constantly being evaluated in order to keep up with new products, regulations and technologies.
Where are herbicides applied?
Public rights-of-way and other City-owned property.
Some specific examples of areas that are sprayed include:concrete medians, underneath guardrails, wooded roadsides, vegetation at intersections, along sidewalks and bike paths, weeds in the asphalt curb interface.
Steps are taken to reduce the chances of spray drift hitting non-target areas.
Who applies the herbicides and how does the City choose the types of herbicides to use?
All herbicide applications are done by in-house personnel that are commercial pesticide applicators certified by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.Commercial pesticide applicators must obtain continuing education credits by attending regular educational workshops in order to keep their certification.
All herbicides used by the City have been approved by EPA.
Herbicides used by the City are selected based on safety to the applicator, the public, and the environment.
Herbicides used by the City are also used by state and county highway departments, electric utilities, and other municipalities.
Many of the herbicides the City uses contain the same active ingredients found in over-the-counter products available to homeowners and other private applicators.
What are the herbicides currently being used by the IRVM program? For more information about the specific herbicides currently being used please call (423) 975-2681.
How do I know if the City is planning to spray herbicides near my property? The City's Roadside Spraying Policy states that notification must be given to residents 14 days prior to any herbicide application.
What if I don't want to have herbicides applied adjacent to my residence? Any person objecting to the use of herbicides immediately adjacent to his or her property may fill out an No Spray Agreement form. The No Spray Program is detailed in the Roadside Spraying Policy.
