TLDR: Some punk called the city's code compliance on our magnolia tree's overhang. I really don't want to degrade the tree's value by trimming further than it is in these photos. Anyone have success navigating their municipal code compliance for an exception??
As the title states, someone in my neighborhood called code compliance on my tree because they felt it was impeding the walking path of the sidewalk.
As you can see from the pictures, there's a decent limb that extends over the sidewalk.
Super frustrating because every neighbor that's ever commented on the tree absolutely loves it because when it's in full bloom the flowers are gorgeous. Not exaggerating, but I've had +5 people go out of their way to come tell us how much they love our magnolia tree in the neighborhood. I didn't know a tree could be so admired! But now it's become a point of pride for us… like "heck yeah, we're the house with the bitchin magnolia tree".
Anyway, when we got the notice from code compliance, I begrudgingly went out and trimmed away a few of the leave clusters and twiggy branches that were extending down from that limb. These photos were taken after that light trim. That trim probably took the clearance from 5.5' up to about 7' over the sidewalk.
Well, I just went to look at the city codes, and apparently all vegetation is required to have an 8' clearance. The only way for me to get there is to remove that bottom limb completely. But I REALLY don't want to do that for a lot of reasons… Including the fact that I have a bunch of kiddos who are about to be prime tree climbing age and magnolias are the best for that and removing this limb makes this particular tree pretty unclimbable until they are much older.
I've also seen on this sub that magnolias are supposed to have a canopy that droops down low towards the ground. So if that's true, presumably removing a lower limb like this isn't great for the tree (or at least maybe I could argue that).
In any event, I'm curious if anyone here has had any success getting municipal code compliance to grant an exception or free pass or something to avoid having to potentially degrade the tree's value.
Oh, I should also mention, there's probably 10 houses on our street alone who have vegetation with clearance under 8' and most seem to be about 7'… but, of course, mine is the only one that got called out to the city.
Unfortunately, now we're on the radar… and the rule is 8'. Ugh.
Any ideas?
by HAWKxDAWG
10 Comments
You cut it to the 8-foot clearance height. Why do you think you are exempt from the rules?
https://imgur.com/a/1nOTWs5 Correct me if I’m wrong here, but the city code is basically just to trim the tree like this, right?
You mentioned that the current clearance is 7ft, but visually it does look lower than that right now. As long as you can walk under it without ducking, and without the leaves touching your head, I would think that would be sufficient.
Regardless, if code enforcement comes by to check on it, be nice to the enforcer and be reasonable. Most of these people are just doing their job and are happy to work with you if you’re kind. They deal with angry jerks all day, so if you’re the nice guy they’ll usually cut you some slack. I would probably trim it a little more so that it’s close to 8ft.
Cut it to code. And rake the leaves. Then no one can complain.
lesson learned, dont let your tree get down so low that people start calling on it. Like you said, lots of trees on your street are below the 8′ mark, closer to 7′. Guess you learned where you need to keep the tree trimmed to to prevent getting called on. Trim to 8′ and dont let it get down to 5.5′ again, keep it at least trimmed to 7. Yours only got called on because it was actually in the way, not because someone was a stickler for the rules.
Also, you dont have to remove the whole branch. You could leave some for your kids to use to hoist themselves up to the next branches.
If you don’t trim it to 8 feet of clearance above the sidewalk tall people will start ripping limbs off if they have to do the limbo under it constantly.
Honestly, when I was younger and lived in neighborhoods with sidewalks, I would snap small branches as I had to duck around trees (not proud of it and I don’t encourage it, but it’s something I used to do). I’m 6’7″ and I would have probably called the municipality on you as well…. 5’5″ of clearance is not acceptable even for normal height men and women.
I would recommend pruning it at the branch collar now, before it’s too thick in diameter and can leave a serious opening on the tree. The tree should be able to compartmentalize a pruning cut (done appropriately – see the 3 cut method) of that size without issue, especially if there’s no symptoms of stress.
The limb is only going to continue to be in the way and pruning it this year prevents a more damaging failure down the road (like kids hanging from the branch and accidentally ripping it off, etc.,). If you don’t want to remove it at the branch collar, you can almost certainly do a reduction cut. I can’t see the structure of that specific limb from these photos, but I’m guessing it has lateral branches you could pruner to.
I actually think that lower limb should come off to balance the tree anyway. Not a biggie.
As a tall person, please just trim the tree over the sidewalk.
You could cut the lower branch but leave like 2’ of an arm to give the kids a point to climb up. Trust me when I tell you, 3” of a gap to the next branch isn’t gunna stop those kids from trying. I used to climb a giant pine in my grandpas yard and the nearest branch was about a foot over my head. I loved that damn tree.
You could cut the lower branch but leave like 2’ of an arm to give the kids a point to climb up. Trust me when I tell you, 3” of a gap to the next branch isn’t gunna stop those kids from trying. I used to climb a giant pine in my grandpas yard and the nearest branch was about a foot over my head. I loved that damn tree.