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[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Athens 11-22-2004 as Title 6, Ch. 4, of the 2004 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Nuisances — See Ch. 320.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 344.
A. 
Intent and purpose. It is the policy of the Village of Athens to regulate and establish policy for the control of planting, removal, maintenance and protection of trees and shrubs in or upon all public areas and terrace areas of the Village to eliminate and guard against dangerous conditions which may result in injury to persons using the streets, alleys, sidewalks or other public areas; to promote and enhance the beauty and general welfare of the Village; to prohibit the undesirable and unsafe planting, removal, treatment and maintenance of trees and shrubs located in public areas; and to guard all trees and shrubs, both public and private, within the Village against the spread of disease, insects or pests.
B. 
Application. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to trees and shrubs growing or hereafter planted in or upon public areas and terrace areas and also to all trees and shrubs growing or to be planted in or upon any private premises which shall threaten the life, health, safety or welfare of the public or of any public areas.
Whenever the following words or terms are used in this chapter, they shall be construed to have the following meanings:
BOULEVARD OR TERRACE AREA
The land between the normal location of the street curbing and sidewalk. Where there is no sidewalk, the area four feet from the curbline shall be deemed to be a boulevard for the purpose of this chapter. "Boulevard" shall have the same meaning as "terrace." Where there are only sidewalks, the area four feet from the curb shall be deemed boulevard area under this chapter.
EVERGREEN TREE
Any woody plant normally having one stem or trunk and bearing foliage in the form of needles and crowns which extend from ground level throughout its entire height.
FORESTER
The person or Village employee designated by the Village Board as authorized to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The Village Board may designate a municipal employee or citizen to perform the duties of Forester under Ch. 27, Wis. Stats., and may authorize such Forester to perform the duties and exercise the powers imposed on the Village Board by this chapter. The Village Forester shall annually be appointed by the Village President, subject to Board confirmation, at the Board's organizational meeting. Such duties may be assigned to the Weed Commissioner.[1]
MAJOR ALTERATION
Trimming a tree beyond necessary trimming to comply with this chapter.
PERSON
Person, firm, association or corporation.
PUBLIC AREA
Includes all public parks and other lands owned, controlled or leased by the Village except the terrace areas.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Any tree or shrub or part thereof which, by reason of its condition, interferes with the use of any public area; infected with a plant disease; infested with injurious insects or pests; injurious to public improvements; or endangering the life, health, safety or welfare of persons or property.
PUBLIC TREES AND SHRUBS
All trees and shrubs located or to be planted in or upon public areas.
SHRUB
Any woody vegetation or a woody plant having multiple stems and bearing foliage from the ground up.
TOPPING
The removal of the crown of a tree.
TREE
Any woody plant, normally having one stem or trunk bearing its foliage or crown well above ground level to heights of 16 feet or more.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
The Village Forester or his/her authorized representative may enter upon private premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of examining any tree or shrub located upon or over such premises and carrying out any of the provisions of this chapter.
A. 
When the Forester shall determine with reasonable certainty that a public nuisance, such as oak wilt or some other tree disease, exists upon private premises, the Forester shall immediately serve or cause to be served personally or by registered mail upon the owner of such property, if the owner can be found, or upon the occupant thereof, a written notice of the existence of such nuisance and of a time and place for a hearing, not less than 14 days after service of such notice, on the abatement action to be taken. Such notice shall describe the nuisance and recommend procedures for its abatement and shall further state that unless the owner shall abate the nuisance in the manner specified in the notice, or shall appear at the hearing to show that such nuisance does not exist or does not endanger the health of trees in the Village, the Forester shall cause the abatement thereof at the expense of the property served. If the owner cannot be found, such notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Village.
B. 
If, after hearing held pursuant to this section, it shall be determined by the Village Board that a public nuisance exists, it shall forthwith order the immediate abatement thereof. Unless the property owner abates the nuisance as directed within five days after such hearing, the Forester shall proceed to abate the nuisance and cause the cost thereof to be assessed against the property in accordance with the procedures provided in this chapter. The Forester may extend the time allowed the property owner for abatement work but not to exceed 10 additional days.
A. 
Public premises. The entire cost of abating any public nuisance throughout any tree, or part thereof, when done at the direction of the Forester, shall be borne by the Village as to any growth, tree or shrub located upon property owned by the Village. The abating of a public nuisance or spraying trees or wood located upon a terraced strip between the lot line and the curb shall be considered private property.
B. 
Private premises. The cost of abating a public nuisance or diseased trees located on private premises, when done at the direction and under the supervision of the Forester, shall be assessed to the property on which such nuisance, tree or wood is located as follows:
(1) 
The Forester shall keep a strict account of the cost of such work or spraying and the amount chargeable to each lot or parcel and shall report such work, charges, description of lands to which charged and names and addresses of the owners of such lands to the Village Board on or before October 15 of each year.
(2) 
Upon receiving the Forester's report, the Village Board, or a designated standing committee thereof, shall hold a public hearing on such proposed charges, giving at least 14 days' advance notice of the time, place and purpose of such hearing to interested persons by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality and by mail to the owner of each property proposed to be charged. Each property owner shall be notified of the amount proposed to be assessed against his premises and the work for which such charge is being made.
(3) 
After such hearing, the Village Board, or a designated standing committee thereof, shall affirm, modify and affirm or disapprove such assessments by resolution and shall cause a copy thereof to be published. Upon adoption and publication of such resolution, assessments made thereby shall be deemed final.
(4) 
The Village Clerk shall mail notice of the amount of such final assessment to each owner of property assessed at his last known address, stating that, unless paid within 30 days of the date of the notice, such assessment will be entered on the tax roll as a tax against the property, and all proceedings in relation to the collection, return and sale of property for delinquent real estate taxes shall apply to such assessment.
(5) 
The Village hereby declares that, in making assessments under this section, it is acting under its police power, and no damages shall be awarded to any owner for the destruction of any diseased or infested tree or wood or part thereof.
C. 
Major project component. If trees are removed as part of another major public works project, the Village Board may include the tree removal/replacement costs in the project special assessments.
A. 
Purpose.
(1) 
Generally. The Village Board hereby states its determination that the planting, care and protection of the trees within the Village is desirable for the purposes of beauty, shade, comfort, noise abatement and economic betterment and hereby encourages all persons to assist in a program of tree planting, care and protection.
(2) 
Permit required. No person except upon order of the Village Forester shall plant, transplant, move, spray, brace, trim, prune, cut above or below ground, disturb, alter or do surgery on a public tree or shrub in the Village, or cause such act to be done by others, without first getting a written permit for such work from the Village Forester as herein provided (see also § 410-8).
(3) 
Exemptions. No permit shall be required to cultivate, fertilize, perform minor cutting or pruning or watering of public trees or shrubs.
(4) 
Requirements and conditions of permits. If the Village Forester determines that the proposed work or planting described in an application for a permit is necessary and in accord with the purposes of this chapter, taking into account the safety, health and welfare of the public, location of utilities, public sidewalks, driveways and streetlights, general character of the area in which the tree or shrub is located or proposed to be located, type of soil, and characteristics and physiological needs of the species or variety of trees or shrub, he/she shall issue a permit to the applicant. As a condition of granting any permit to remove the public tree or shrub, the Village Forester may require that the permittee plant one or more trees or shrubs in place of the one removed, and no permittee under such a conditional permit shall fail, refuse or neglect to plant trees or shrubs of the type, size and location specified in his permit.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(5) 
Form of permit; expiration. Every permit shall be issued by the Village Forester on forms prepared by him/her and shall include a description of the work to be done and shall specify the species or variety, size, nursery grade and location of trees or shrubs to be planted, if any. Any work done under such permit must be performed in strict accordance with the terms thereof and the provisions of this chapter. Permits issued under this chapter shall expire six months after date of issue.
(6) 
Fee. There shall be no fee for such a permit.
(7) 
Permits to public utilities. Whenever a permit is issued under this chapter to a public utility to move, trim, prune, cut, disturb, alter or do surgery on any public tree or shrub, the Village Forester shall limit the work to be done to the actual necessities of the utility and may assign an inspector to supervise the work done under the provisions of the permit, and the expense of such inspection or supervision shall be charged to the utility.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Original § 6-4-7(a)(8), Housing moving permits, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See § 190-10, Moving buildings.
B. 
Tree planting program. The Village Forester shall recommend to the Village Board a program for tree planting, care and protection for public parks. The Board shall also encourage the planting, care and protection of trees and shrubs on private premises within the Village.
C. 
Cottonwood and box elder trees prohibited. No person shall plant within the Village of Athens any female tree of the species Populus deltoides, commonly called the "cottonwood," or any tree commonly called the "seed-bearing box elder," Acer negundo, which may now or hereafter become infested with box elder bugs, and such trees are hereby declared a nuisance. Any person planting any such trees on his/her premises shall cause the same to be removed. If any owner shall fail to remove any such tree within 30 days after receiving written notice from the Village Forester, the Village shall cause the removal of such tree and report the full cost thereof to the Village Clerk, who shall place such charge upon the next tax roll as a special charge against the premises.
D. 
Planting of certain trees restricted. Except in public parks, no person shall hereafter plant any catalpa, Chinese elm, white poplar, weeping willow, evergreen, lombardy poplar, silver maple, or any fruit or nut tree in or upon any public street, parkway, terrace or other public place within the Village of Athens unless he/she shall first secure written permission from the Village Forester, who shall not approve any such planting if, in his/her opinion, said tree will constitute a nuisance to the public or adjoining property owners or interfere with the safety of the public or the operation of any sewer or water system. The Village Forester shall cause the removal of any tree planted in violation of this subsection.
E. 
Planting.
(1) 
New street trees.
(a) 
All new street trees must be selected from a list of approved trees compiled by the Village Forester. No other species may be planted without the written approval of the Village Forester. New trees must be single stemmed with a minimum diameter of 1 1/4 inches measured at six inches above ground level.
(b) 
The tree shall be planted in a well-prepared hole at the same depth as it was originally growing.
(c) 
The tree shall be kept well watered and mulched or cultivated in a two-foot diameter around its base to conserve moisture and as a protection from lawn mower damage.
(d) 
The good health of all trees planted hereunder shall be guaranteed for one year by the applicant, after which time such trees shall become the property of the Village.
(2) 
Where required, curbs and sidewalks must be installed prior to street tree planting. Distance between the face of the curb and the outer edge of the sidewalk must be at least four feet. Trees must be planted halfway between the sidewalk and curb unless underground utilities prevent such planting. No tree shall be planted closer than two feet to the curb.
(3) 
Trees may not be planted in the terrace closer than:
(a) 
Twenty feet to a utility or streetlighting pole.
(b) 
Fifteen feet to a driveway or alley.
(c) 
Six feet to a fire hydrant, water stop box or gas shutoff. If possible, allow more distance than six feet.
(d) 
Twenty-five feet to the intersection of two streets from either corner measured on the property line.
(e) 
Twenty-five feet to another tree. (If the other tree is an elm or other species which is damaged, injured or diseased and likely to be removed in the future, then a thirty-five-foot distance to the next nearest healthy tree will prevail.)
(4) 
New street trees shall not be planted over an existing tree stump within two years of removal unless the stump is removed to a depth of four feet.
(5) 
The property owner has the responsibility to locate underground utilities before digging.
(6) 
Evergreen trees shall not be planted in a terrace area.
F. 
Unlawfully planted trees. Trees, plants or shrubs planted within any terrace or planting easement without the authorization and approval of the Forester may be removed. The Forester shall notify the abutting owner in writing, listing the unlawfully planted trees, plants or shrubs, ordering their removal, and establishing a reasonable time within which such removal shall be accomplished. In the event that removal is not to be accomplished within the time specified, the Village may remove such trees, plants or shrubs and assess the costs thereof to the owner.
G. 
Frames. Any person, adjacent to whose land any shade or ornamental tree or shrub is growing in any street, may, for the purpose of protecting such tree or shrub, surround the same with a suitable box or frame for protection, but all such work shall be performed under the supervision and direction of the Village Forester.
H. 
Acceptable trees. Certain plants are more suited than others to provide these benefits under various landscape conditions. The list following provides a range of sizes and tree variety; it is not inclusive of all the better plants but is representative of them.
Alder, black (Alnus glutinosa)
Alder, speckled (Alnus incana)
Ash, green (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), and ash, white, especially the seedless cultivars (e.g., Marshall's Seedless, Patmore, Urbanite); vastly overplanted
Birch, river (Betula nigra), especially Heritage
Cherry, sargent (Prunus sargentii)
Chokecherry, schubert (Prunus virginiana "schubert")
Cork tree, amur (Phellodendron amurense)
Cork tree, sakhalin (Phellodendron sachalinense)
Dogwood, cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
Dogwood, kousa (Cornus kousa)
Elm, Chinese (Ulmus parvifolia; not Siberian elm)
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), male clones only
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), especially Chicagoland, Prairie Pride and Windy City
Honeylocust, thornless common (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis); many cultivars available; vastly overused; would discourage continued planting
Hophornbeam, American (Ostrya virginiana)
Hornbeam, American (Carpinus caroliniana)
Hornbeam, European (Carpinus betulus)
Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
Linden, Crimean (Tilia x euchlora)
Linden, littleleaf (Tilia cordata), especially Glenleven, Greenspire and June Bride
Linden, silver (Tilia tomentosa)
Maple, hedge (Acer campestre)
Maple, miyabe (Acer miyabei)
Maple, Norway (Acer platanoides), especially Cleveland, Emerald Queen, Schwedler, Summershade and Superform; may be too big for many areas; too shady, often preventing lawn growth
Maple, paperbark (Acer griseum)
Maple, purpleblow (Acer truncatum)
Maple, red (Acer rubrum), especially Autumn Blaze, Marmo, Morgan, Northwood, October Glory and Red Sunset
Maple, sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Maple, tartarian (Acer tataricum)
Maple, three-flower (Acer triflorum)
Oak, bur (Quercus macrocarpa)
Oak, English (Quercus robur)
Oak, pin
Oak, red (Quercus rubra or Quercus borealis)
Pear, callery (Pyrus calleryana), especially Chanticleer and Fauriei (cultivars such as Bradford and Aristocrat are proving to be landscape liabilities as they age beyond 15 years)
I. 
Acceptable trees under utility wires. In order to maintain proper clearance from utility lines, only certain tree varieties may be planted under such utility lines. The Village Clerk maintains a list of approved tree varieties.
A. 
Permits and regulations. Prior to major trimming activity involving a public tree, the permit requirements of § 410-7A shall be complied with. Any person growing a tree, plant or shrub on any private property abutting on public streets or public places shall:
(1) 
Trim it so as not to be a hazard to persons using the streets or to interfere with the proper lighting of the streets.
(2) 
Treat or remove any tree, plant or shrub which the Village Forester shall determine is diseased or insect-ridden or a hazard to persons using the streets.
(3) 
Remove and refrain from planting any tree, plant or shrub designated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and published in its regulations to be a host or carrier of a dangerous plant disease or insect pest.
B. 
Village service. Owners of any property may arrange to have any terrace or utility easement tree, plant or shrub sprayed, trimmed or removed by the Village and pay for such service at the rates established by the Village Board.
C. 
Street clearance. Trees and shrubs standing in or upon any boulevard, public area or upon any private premises adjacent to any public right-of-way or public areas shall be kept trimmed by their owner (or adjacent property owner) so that the lowest branches projecting over the public street or alley provide a clearance of not less than 14 feet. The Village Forester may waive the provisions of this subsection for newly planted trees if he determines that they do not interfere with public travel, obstruct the light of any streetlight or endanger public safety.
D. 
Pruning necessity determination. The necessity of the pruning may be determined by the Village Forester.
E. 
Sidewalk clearance. Clearance from sidewalk to lower branches shall not be less than 10 feet. All trees standing upon private property in the Village, the branches of which extend over the line of the street, shall be trimmed so that no branch shall grow or hang over the line of the sidewalk lower than 10 feet above the level of the sidewalk. No tree shall be permitted to grow in such a manner as to obstruct the proper diffusion of light from any public lamp.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
Pruning of crowns limitation. Trimming or pruning of more than 2/3 of the crown shall be considered to be a major alteration and shall require authorization from the Village Forester.
G. 
Removal of down or dead timber on Village property. Any person seeking to remove or cut down or dead timber on Village properties shall first get authorization from the Village Clerk or Forester; all applicants shall be required to sign a liability waiver.
A. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no person shall maintain, plant or permit to remain on any private or public premises situated at the intersection of two or more streets or alleys in the Village any hedge, tree, shrub or other growth which may obstruct the view of the operator of any motor vehicle or pedestrian approaching such intersection.
B. 
It is unlawful for any person to plant, cause to grow, allow to grow or maintain any trees, bushes, shrubbery or vegetation of any kind which is an obstruction to the clear and complete vision of any traffic sign or driveway approach to a street in the Village. It shall be the duty of every owner of such tree, bush, shrubbery or vegetation to remove such obstruction.
C. 
Any shrub, tree or other plant which obstructs the view at an intersection or the view of a traffic sign shall be deemed to be dangerous to public travel, and the Village Clerk may order, by written notice, the owner or occupant of any private place or premises on which there stands a tree or shrub which unreasonably interferes with or encroaches upon the street or sidewalk to take such steps as are necessary to remove such interference. If such owner or occupant fails, within 10 days of receipt of notice, to take such necessary steps, the Village Clerk shall order the Village employees to remove the interference. The cost of removing the interference shall be levied and collected as a special tax upon the property upon which or in front of which such tree or shrub stands.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Any person who is an owner or occupant or firm or corporation failing to obey the written notice of the Village Clerk as specified in Subsection C above shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a forfeiture as established in Chapter 1, Article I, of this Code of Ordinances.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Damage to public trees. No person shall, without the consent of the owner in the case of a private tree or shrub or without written permit from the Village Forester in the case of a terrace area tree, public tree or shrub, perform or cause to be performed by others any of the following acts:
(1) 
Secure, fasten or run any rope, wire sign, unprotected electrical installation or other device or material to, around or through a tree or shrub.
(2) 
Break, injure, mutilate, deface, kill or destroy any tree or shrub or permit any fire to burn where it will injure any tree or shrub.
(3) 
Permit any toxic chemical, gas, smoke, oil or other injurious substance to seep, drain or be emptied upon or about any tree or shrub or place cement or other solid substance around the base of the same.
(4) 
Remove any guard, stake or other device or material intended for the protection of a public tree or shrub, or close or obstruct any open space about the base of a public tree or shrub designed to permit access of air, water and fertilizer.
(5) 
Attach any sign, poster, notice or other object on any tree, or fasten any guy wire, cable, rope, nails, screws or other device to any tree, except that the Village may tie temporary signs to trees when necessary in conjunction with street improvement work, tree maintenance work or parades.
(6) 
Cause or encourage any fire or burning near or around any tree.
(7) 
Permit any public nuisance to remain on any premises owned or controlled by him when ordered by the Forester to abate such nuisance.
B. 
Excavations. All trees on any parkway or other publicly owned property near any excavation or construction of any building structure or street work shall be sufficiently guarded and protected by those responsible for such work as to prevent any injury to said trees. No person shall excavate any ditches, tunnels or trenches or install pavement within a radius of 10 feet from any public tree without a permit from the Village Forester.
C. 
Interference with Forester. No person shall:
(1) 
Interfere with or prevent any acts of the Forester or his/her agents or employees while they are engaged in the performance of duties imposed by this section.
(2) 
Refuse to permit the Forester or his/her duly authorized representative to enter upon his/her premises at reasonable times to exercise the duties imposed by this section.
Any person who receives a determination or order under this chapter from the Village Forester and objects to all or any part thereof shall have the right to appeal such determination or order, subject to the provisions of Chapter 5, Administrative Review, of this Code and Ch. 68, Wis. Stats., to the Village Board within seven days of receipt of the order, and the Village Board shall hear such appeal within 30 days of receipt of written notice of the appeal. After such hearing, the Village Board may reverse, affirm or modify the order or determination appealed from and the grounds for its decision shall be stated in writing. The Village Board shall, by letter, notify the party appealing the order or determination of its decision within 10 days after the hearing has been concluded. The Board shall file its written decision with the Village Clerk.