Trees

Street trees benefit the community in many ways. They add character to our neighborhoods, cool our homes and cities, clean our air, increase property values and provide aesthetic beauty just to name a few. New Albany is a Tree City USA community and has maintained that designation since 2010.

The city places a high priority on the responsibility for proper care of street trees within the public right-of-way. During the months between December and April, public service crews actively prune trees along city streets to encourage growth of strong, healthy and attractive trees. Once tree limbs and branches are removed, crews use a wood chipper to pulverize the wood into fine chips. The chips are then processed for use in mulch and topsoil. Proper clearing of lower lying branches provides the needed clearance for delivery trucks, snow plows, city street sweeper and trash collection vehicles.

Generally, trees located on a homeowner’s private property but not in the right-of-way are the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain.

New Albany staff recognizes the importance in preserving, creating and maintaining a vibrant urban forest. Trees provide many social, economic & environmental benefits and play an integral role in facilitating an enhanced quality of living.

In the event a street tree dies or is damaged beyond repair, New Albany will utilize this process for tree removal and new tree installation:

1. Property owner contacts their Homeowners Association (HOA) to inform them of tree(s) of concern providing contact information, address, number of trees and location.
2. The HOA submits Tree Evaluation Request Form via email to: publicservice@newalbanyohio.org – providing contact info, address, number of trees and location.
3. New Albany Public Service Department will evaluate tree(s) and respond via email within 30 days with recommended action.
4. In the event tree removal is recommended, the city or selected contractor will remove the tree and provide stump grinding at no charge to the property owner or HOA.
5. Property owner or HOA will be responsible for a cost sharing payment of $150.00 towards each new tree planted and will receive a Tree Installation Request form with payment due.
6. All new tree plantings will be scheduled following receipt of payment.
7. Property owner or HOA will be responsible for critical early care of newly planted trees including watering, mulching & fertilizing as needed; the city will provide information regarding the proper care of newly planted trees.

New Albany schedules tree plantings every autumn and spring, according to species (type of tree) availability and requirements. The city shall have sole discretion over the selection of species for all new tree plantings. Newly installed trees shall be no less than two inch caliper. Each new tree installation will be performed under the guidance and inspection of the New Albany Public Service Department Staff. Please keep in mind the city has a set budget and will install new tree plantings on a first come first serve basis.

Watering

Proper watering during the first two years after planting is the most critical maintenance requirement for establishing newly planted trees. Keep the soil moist but not water-logged. Water trees once a week barring rain, and more frequently during hot, windy weather. Check soil moisture by using a garden trowel and inserting it into the ground to a depth of two inches, and then move the blade of the trowel back and forth to create a small narrow trench. Touch the soil. If the soil is moist to the touch, hold off on watering. When the soil is dry below the surface of the mulch, it is time to water. Continue until mid-Autumn, tapering off as lower temperatures require less frequent watering.

Proper Mulching

Mulch the base of the tree. Mulch is organic matter spread around the base of a tree to hold moisture, moderate soil tem­perature extremes, and reduce grass and weed competition. Com­mon mulches include composted wood chips, shredded bark, leaf litter or pine straw. A two to three inch deep layer is ideal. More than three inches may cause a problem with oxygen and excessive moisture levels. Piling mulch right up against the trunk of a tree may cause decay of the living bark. It is important to keep mulch pulled back 1-2 inches away from the trunk of the tree to prevent moist bark conditions and the potential for decay.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing is generally not recommended until one year after planting. This is due to the need to focus energy on recovering/establishing new root growth. When trees are spaded and transplanted, a large percentage of the root system is removed. However there are fertilizers designed for transplant shock recovery such as root stimulator and mycorrhizae products.

The emerald ash borer (EAB) insect kills ash trees within three to five years of infestation. Larvae spend the rest of the year developing beneath the bark.

EAB was identified in Ohio in 2003. Since then, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has been battling the pest through detection, regulation, education and eradication to protect Ohio’s 3.8 billion ash trees.

To date, infestations have been identified in 59 Ohio counties.

Diagnostic Signs and Symptoms Specific to EAB

• D-Shaped exit holes in the trunk (1/8” in diameter).
• Serpentine, S-shaped tunnels just under the bark.
• Creamy white larva (1” in length) just beneath the bark.
• Thinning tree canopy and top die back.
• Unnatural shoots sprouting from the trunk, or base of tree.
• Thin, short, vertical splits (2 – 5”) running through the bark.
• Unusually heavy woodpecker activity, particularly during the winter months.

Ohio Department of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer Program

To be completed by: Property owner, Property Management Company or HOA Representative to inform the New Albany Public Service Department of street trees in need of removal and replacement.

Public Service
7800 Bevelhymer Road
New Albany, OH 43054

Phone: 614-855-0076
Fax: 614-855-8585
publicservice@newalbanyohio.org