In order to protect the trees within the public right-of-way from as much damage as possible when excavation is taking place, the Ames City Council has established the following policy:
New Construction in New Development Areas
No open excavation is allowed within the tree dripline or as detailed from the following chart developed by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
| If a tree's diameter is: | The distance of tunneling from any side of the tree should be at least: |
| 2 to 9 inches | 5 feet |
| 10 to 14 inches | 10 feet |
| 15 to 19 inches | 12 feet |
| over 19 inches | 15 feet |
The smaller of the above dimensions or the dripline shall be used for the required tunneling distances. In addition, care must be taken to protect all roots 2" or larger from damage.
Construction and/or Maintenance in Developed Areas
Appropriate measures are used not to cut any root 2" or larger. This can be accomplished by careful open cut or tunneling per the standards above. If a 2" or larger root must be cut due to the position of the underground facility, the Public Works Department must be contacted to ascertain the appropriate remedial steps to take to minimize the tree damage.
Penalty for Damage to Public Right-of-Way Trees
Should a person or persons damage a right-of-way tree due to careless
excavation, the offending party will be required to compensate the City for the
loss of the tree and the cost to remove it. The tree value will be determined by
an independent appraisal completed by a landscaping person competent to make
such an appraisal.
Planting a Tree in the Residential Public Right-of-Way
If property owners wish to plant a tree(s) in the "parking" (public right-of-way
portion of land between the sidewalk and the street), the City of Ames requires
an application be approved before tree(s) are planted. To view and print a copy
of this application, click here.