According to the new rules, homeowners wishing to cut down the larger trees must prove that the tree is dead, badly diseased or "an imminent hazard to life or property" that cannot be mitigated. If the variance is granted, homeowners must pay $75 per diameter inch to a city tree-planting fund and must plant new trees in it's place. I did say trees, as the new code specifies that the width of the trunks of the replacement trees must equal three times the diameter of the felled tree. That means twelve 6-inch diameter trees to replace a 24-inch tree.
Think you can get around it? If you illegally cut down the tree, you can be fined $2000 and be charged with a Class C misdemeanor.
Usually, this is not a desire or a problem for most homeowners, but what happens when the tree's root system is causing major structural damage to your home? The city usually requests an engineering and an arborist report of possible "fixes" before granting a variance. Less than a quarter of requested variances are granted.
What this means to you as a buyer is that you must be extra diligent when selecting a home. Check out the trees surrounding the home and make sure that roots are not uprooting sidewalks and patios. Bring a tape measure to figure out the diameter of any problem trees. Your due diligence could keep you from a costly repair later.
