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DRAFT <br /> PUBLIC WORKS POLICY <br /> DATE: - September 13, 1994 <br /> SUBJECT: <br /> GENERAL: <br /> The City of Eugene has a vested interest in maintaining public assets such as trees on street <br /> rights -of -way and other municipal properties. These trees are planted by City forces, <br /> contractual services, or through volunteer labor under the direction of the City. A key <br /> ingredient in the maintenance of newly planted trees is watering. Our climate dictates that <br /> trees must be watered for two to three years after installation to ensure their good <br /> establishment. If a tree requires continued summer watering after a reasonable establishment <br /> period, then there may be other factors involved in the trees inability to thrive. When a tree <br /> fails to thrive after three years another tree may be warranted for the site. <br /> In addition, it is reasonable to expect up to a 10 percent loss rate of newly planted trees. The <br /> City employs accepted industry planting practices that should provide the optimum chance for <br /> the trees to thrive. However, there are many factors outside the City's control. This includes <br /> weather, nursery practices, the quality of volunteer labor, vandalism, and other miscellaneous <br /> factors that contribute or detract from the tree's ability to survive transplanting. To minimize <br /> the loss of trees after planting the following watering policy is set forth. <br /> PROCEDURES: <br /> RECORD KEEPING <br /> A list of all trees planted by or under City permit will be maintained in the Office of the <br /> Urban Forester. This list will contain the address, species, count, planting season, and the <br /> name of adjacent property owner. In addition, the list will show whether the tree is to be <br /> watered by the City, or the adjacent resident, or permit holder. Trees shall be kept on the list <br /> for a minimum of four years by street address. This list shall be available for public <br /> inspection during normal business hours at Public Works Maintenance at 1820 Roosevelt <br /> Blvd. In addition, the species, address, count, and planting date will be maintained in the <br /> permanent street tree data records. <br /> Records of soil moisture testing and watering will be made for each addressed under the <br /> watering program. These records will be maintained for one year by the Office of the Urban <br /> Forester. <br /> policy \water.pol 9/13/94 <br />