New tree protection measures will be presented at the City of Madison Common Council meeting on August 5. The proposed ordinance updates aim to better protect street trees, especially in areas where construction is taking place.
City Forester Ian Brown, who is also president of the Wisconsin Arborist Association, stated, “The ordinance aligns our rules with the current best management practices for street trees.” He added, “When mature trees are lost, it takes decades to recover the benefits they provide, like cooling our homes, intercepting stormwater, and improving health outcomes in neighborhoods. Trees are invaluable community assets. As Madison continues to see many development projects, taking more steps to protect trees as a key part of our infrastructure just makes sense.”
One major change in the ordinance is an increase in the required protection zone around street trees during construction. The current rule mandates a five-foot zone regardless of tree size. Under the new proposal, contractors would need to set up a protection area equal to one foot for every inch of trunk diameter. For example, a 20-inch diameter tree would require a 20-foot protected area. Adjustments to this zone could only be made with approval from Urban Forestry and Engineering.
The ordinance also introduces stricter enforcement options for violations of tree protection rules. While fines remain in place for damaging trees or violating plans, city officials could now suspend or revoke necessary permits if contractors do not comply with tree protection requirements. Projects would have to stop until issues are resolved and new permits issued.
A Street Tree Replacement Fund will also be established under the new rules. If removing a street tree becomes unavoidable during development and there is agreement between Urban Forestry and developers or contractors that it cannot be saved, those responsible must pay into this fund based on the value of the removed tree. Money from this fund will support planting new trees and improving conditions elsewhere in Madison.
The public can comment on these changes at several upcoming meetings before final consideration by the Common Council on September 16.
