Public safety dictates that homeowners and municipalities alike have an obligation to maintain plantings in good condition. Failure to properly place any tree can cause safety problems, especially in urban sites characterized by compacted soils and large amounts of paving, both of which reduce oxygen penetration and force surface rooting in all trees. When trees are planted in spaces that are too small, as often happens in urban areas, tree size and service life are reduced.
Failure to care for trees or to remove declining trees can constitute a hazard. Trees planted in too small a space, not maintained properly, or those that are declining should be removed in the interest of public safety. Trees do not live forever and the cost of replacements should be a budgeted item for municipalities and homeowners.
Careful consideration should be given to the space available for the tree and the tree's ultimate height and spread. A 6-foot square planting area can accommodate a tree with a mature height of 20 to 35 feet. When planted in narrow places, larger trees such as sycamore will cause damage when trunks and roots lift and crack pavement and sidewalks.
Trees with dense foliage or low spreading branches should not be planted in areas of street lighting or they will interfere with sidewalk illumination. Trees planted opposite each other on both sides of the street will also interfere with security lighting.
To minimize danger of tree limbs blocking visibility of street or traffic lights and signs, driveways, and sidewalks, new trees should be planted at least 35 feet from an intersection. Branches of existing trees should be limbed up at 61/2 to 7 feet above ground. Trees severely hindering visibility should be removed. Use of shrubs along streets is not recommended since density and spread impair vision.
Power failures occur when tree branches or whole trees fall or contact electric lines. Such power failures become more numerous during storms. Trees also contribute to momentary power outages that may interfere with appliances. Momentary power outages can be a minor irritant to the homeowner. Plant trees in areas where they will not interfere with utility service. If trees must be planted beneath power lines or within 15 feet of an overhead power line, choose trees with mature heights of less than 25 feet.
Underground utilities, including electric and gas lines, telephone and cable service, should also be considered. When planting trees in areas served with underground utilities, determine the location and depth of the utilities before digging. Call the
Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) at 1 (800) 362-2764 to locate these underground utilities. A quick call before planting can protect you from unnecessary outages or even severe personal injury. Depth of buried utilities in Ohio is generally 2 feet; however this depth varies greatly due to grade changes and other factors. Since new trees are generally planted at depths greater than 2 feet, it is essential to know the precise location of utilities. Utility companies must maintain these facilities, so trees and shrubs should not be planted near these lines or within 10 feet of surface mounted transformers.
Trees that are too large and too close to the house or are not kept properly pruned will cause damage to gutters, paint or roofing. Select trees that will not litter the outdoor living area or clog gutters with twigs, fruits or other debris. Avoid trees with spreading branches, which may cause damage to buildings. Remove low hanging and dead or weakened branches that might break during a storm. Trees that overhang buildings should be inspected for structural stability every 3-5 years by a professional arborist. Remove declining trees or prune to enhance structural stability.
Trees may cause problems by clogging storm sewers, drains and sewage systems with flowers, fruits, leaves or roots. Once the tree root gets into a sewer it will find water, air and nutrients that allow it to grow rapidly and clog the sewer. Fortunately, modern sewer installations involve cemented pipe that greatly reduces or eliminates this problem. Although these underground utilities need servicing infrequently, thought should be given to ensure that the lines could be dug up and serviced without destroying permanent plantings, such as trees.