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Date: 12/18/91 <br /> From: Ben Bonner CEWMBFB - RIS1 <br /> To: John Emmons CEWSJHE - RIS1 <br /> Gene Shutt CEWMEGS - RIS1 <br /> Bob Hammitt CEWMJRH - RIS1 <br /> Dave Reinhard CEWTDNR - RIS1 <br /> Subject: Pruning of ROW Trees by Brabham Elec. <br /> John, I thought it would be worthwhile to recap our meeting with Brabham <br /> Electric last Friday and to summarize the agreement we reached regarding <br /> the pruning of street trees. <br /> Brabham Electric is to keep to an absolute minimum the pruning of limbs <br /> necessary to hang the communications cable. The clearance necessary will <br /> not exceed two feet from the cable. In NO circumstances will a tree be <br /> topped. They will not prune any large limbs (anything over 3" in diameter). <br /> If Brabham encounters a pruning situation that they are not authorized to <br /> handle, they are to notify the City's Tree Crew. A work crew will be <br /> dispatched as soon as possible (by the next working day) to do the appro- <br /> priate pruning. (Tim from Brabham called yesterday and we were able to <br /> dispatch a crew immediately). <br /> I recommend that an additional barrier or sleeve be installed on the cable <br /> in any cases where there is a likelyhood that wear will occur due to an <br /> adjacent tree. From our standpoint, this is certainly preferable to the <br /> excessive pruning of a tree. <br /> I will be inspecting the trees pruned since last Friday on a regular basis. <br /> If I find any trees pruned in a manner other than agreed to above I will <br /> request an immediate halt to all pruning and will recommend that work not <br /> proceed until a professional tree trimmer be employed to do the pruining. <br /> In any future projects of this kind where it is necessary to prune trees, <br /> or where the root zone of trees will be impacted I would appreciate our <br /> Division being notified. If notified far enough in advance we can probably <br /> do small pruning projects for you in- house. Any larger projects should have <br /> funds allocated to employ a professional tree trimming company. <br /> It is my understanding that the current project is behind schedule and <br /> running over budget, otherwise I would recommend that a professional tree <br /> trimmer be employed now to work with Brabham. As per our agreement, the <br /> City Tree Crew will follow behind Brabham and "clean -up" as best as possible <br /> their pruning work. If they follow the guidelines as outlined above, there <br /> shouldn't be any major damage to City street trees for the rest of the project. <br /> I feel it necessary to state that this isn't a "Turf" issue with us, but rather <br /> an attempt to keep the trees that the City is responsible for in the best <br /> condition that our limited resources will allow. An improperly pruned tree <br /> can create substantial maintenance and liability problems in the future. It <br /> also lessens the value of the tree both monetarily and aesthetically. <br /> Give me a call if you have any questions or if we need to discuss this further. <br /> Thanks. Ben <br /> I just got another call from Tim of Brabham concerning more pruning, so our <br /> agreement seems to be working out OK. <br />