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OPERATIONS - - Planting, Maintaining, and Replacing <br /> If education, budgeting, planning, and inventorying are the root of a vigorous urban <br /> forestry program, then operations are the trunk and canopy -- the visible part. <br /> Planting, pruning and nurturing the urban forest is the reason for all the other <br /> activity. <br /> Routine Maintenance <br /> The reward for well planned, routine maintenance of trees on public property is <br /> threefold: safety, efficiency, and aesthetics. <br /> Assuring the safety of citizens on public property is an important function of local <br /> government, and the management of public trees falls under this responsibility. <br /> Trees weakened by disease, injury or age are more susceptible to storm and wind <br /> damage. These trees or their branches may injure people or damage property. <br /> Systematic maintenance of city trees through proper selection of tree species, an <br /> orderly planting plan, periodic inspection, routine pruning and prompt removal of <br /> dead and declining trees minimizes a community's liability. <br /> Routine maintenance enhances efficiency, because proper care helps trees survive <br /> longer and attain higher values -- both economically and aesthetically -- than those <br /> receiving poor or inconsistent care. Scheduled tree services generally tend to be half <br /> as expensive as crisis or requested tree services. This is largely due to the expense of <br /> mobilizing equipment and personnel. Protecting existing trees through routine <br /> maintenance protects the public's investment in its urban forest. A commitment to <br /> ongoing maintenance should be made every time new trees are planted. <br /> Trees help to create a healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment, which <br /> contributes to economic and cultural vitality by attracting and retaining residents and <br /> an industrial base. Trees that receive proper care reflect civic pride, and aid in <br /> establishing and maintaining a community's unique character. <br /> Many communities fmd that a good tree maintenance program is their best defense <br /> against lawsuits, because the cost of the program is less than the cost of paying <br /> damage awards. This can be thought of as a self - insurance program. Other <br /> communities have attempted to assign all liability to property owners through tree <br /> ordinances, but this has not been effective. Records of tree maintenance should be <br /> kept indefmitely as evidence of active tree management. In addition, a documented <br /> and demonstrated commitment to regular inspections for safety pruning needs <br /> minimizes successful litigation against the jurisdiction responsible for the tree <br /> services. It is an essential task that is not currently funded in Eugene's budget. <br />