UK Tree officers

[quigly]

In the uk we have tree officers. Off a website I pulled this information off. In America what is the equivelent?

What's a Tree Officer?
The Tree Officer, synonymous with Arboricultural Officer, Tree and Landscape Officer, Urban Forestry Officer or a combination of these titles.
The Tree officer’s responsibilities are often many and various and may even vary from Council to Council. However they are there to offer advice and help you in all related tree matters. Listed below are a number of tree officers responsibilities, if in doubt give them a call but remember that their powers are limited when the tree is on private land and they are not there to act as your personal Consultant.
Tree Officers with Planning Responsibilities
To advise members of the public on the legal status of trees.
Whether the trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (T.P.O), or, are in a conservation area, or are covered by condition on a planning permission.
Advise on how to make an application for works to trees under the above legislation.
Advise on what works may be carried out without the formal consent of the Council.
Enforce breaches of tree protection legislation
Tree Officers with Responsibilities for Council Owned or Managed Trees
To consider the level of nuisance a Council owned tree may be causing and recommend remedial action.
To assess the safety of Council owned trees.
To consider the amenity value of trees and maintain the tree stock in a sustainable manner.

Is the closest thing in the USA a city forester? Are the responsibilities similar? If not, what are the differences?

 

[BC WetCoast]

May be called the City Forester or the Municipal Arborist. It will depend on the size of the municipality whether one even exists. Britain is a more regulated society, so you will find a more laissez faire attitude on this side of the pond.

 

[jomoco]

Sounds like a typical city parks officer, just enough arboricultural expertise to be a hazard.

ISA is the most recognized international arboricultural entity. They must have a british arm.

jomoco

 

[OTG BOSTON]

Sounds exactly the same as here. City Arborist, Forester, Tree Warden, all about the same. And like your description, responsibilities vary from city to city.

 

[TreeTopKid]

Sounds exactly the same as here. City Arborist, Forester, Tree Warden, all about the same. And like your description, responsibilities vary from city to city.

I can verify that's exactly what a Tree Officer in the UK is. Some are ISA certified also.

 

[JeffL]

They are called "Tree Wardens" for the most part in this area, if the town is even big enough to have one. Usually its just some shmuck on the Department of Public Works that gets the finger pointed to him for those decisions.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

It is part of state law in Mass for all cities and towns to have a Tree Warden. In some communities it can be the head of public works or the parks commissioner.

 

[pdqdl]

In Missouri, in Kansas City, or anywhere close to here:

Nothing. Nobody. And don't even suggest that the government should tell you what to do with your trees.

The City Forester is charged with supervising the maintenance of the cities trees and running the Forestry Dept. They may be invited to opine on public policy (as set by the politicians), but nobody really gives a hoot about privately owned trees. And would not be empowered with any authority to make change, even if they tried.

Last year I was told that I should apply for the position of City Forester, as it had been un-filled for over a year, despite the fact that the city had several foresters on staff that they would not promote into the position. When I inquired, I was told that the job listing was being removed.

It turns out that the fellow making the final selection was trying to hand pick the guy he wanted. Sometime later (coincidentally?), he was fired, his subordinate was assigned to his position without being promoted (and without any pay increase!). So far as I know, the City Forester is still working in the spot he was hired for.

No tree wardens in KC!

 

[TreeTopKid]

In Missouri, in Kansas City, or anywhere close to here:

Nothing. Nobody. And don't even suggest that the government should tell you what to do with your trees.

The City Forester is charged with supervising the maintenance of the cities trees and running the Forestry Dept. They may be invited to opine on public policy (as set by the politicians), but nobody really gives a hoot about privately owned trees. And would not be empowered with any authority to make change, even if they tried.

....and here is the big difference between Europe and here. Certain municipalities have tree preservation zones, individually preserved trees, and conservation zones. Solihull in the West Midlands is a good example of this kind of municipality. To work on a tree with a preservation order you have to meet with the tree officer at the site, and discuss with him and your customer exactly what is intended to be carried out. When, and if you get written confirmation, and details of exactly what can be done you may proceed. Working in a designated conservation zone is much harder in fact even if you plant new trees (and shrubs!!) in that area you have to go through the same process however permission is often declined.

You of course have to have all the necessary qualifications and insurance in place in order to proceed. If you breach any of the conditions the fines/penalties imposed can be large enough to close a company down.

There are however cowboys (cowboy = UK equivalent of a hack! No offense to real cowboys!) who operate below the radar, and are usually nomadic types.