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Government
Oak Wilt Resolution
Whereas, the Charter Township of Grand Blanc’s trees, woodlots, landscapes, greenbelts, natural areas and right-of-ways, represent a valuable and precious asset, necessary to preserve; and
Whereas, various oak (Quercus) species comprise a significant component of
this natural and rural environment; and
Whereas, the Charter Township of Grand Blanc is concerned that a deadly
disease known as oak wilt caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum is a threat to the Township's oak population. Improper tree trimming/removal practices may result in the establishment of oak wilt disease epicenters, which may lead to increased disease activity and devastating aesthetic and economic losses. It is therefore both advisable and prudent to attempt to prevent and control oak wilt.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that:
Tree Care Practices: Oak Wilt Prevention
- Oak trees shall not be pruned or trimmed between April 1 and October 15 regardless of their location. Exceptions include pruning for storm damage, construction, utility work, accidents, etc.
(see item b).
- It shall be the responsibility of the property owner, developer, contractor to repair or cause to be repaired any oak trees that are inadvertently injured between April 1 and October 15 by removal of exposed jagged surface followed by prompt sealing with a tree pruning sealer or latex paint.
- Oaks that exhibit symptoms of oak wilt or show signs of decline or death shall be reported to the Township Clerk's office 810-424- 2600.
Notification:
Any contractor, utility company, person or entity who has the opportunity to
affect the health of oak trees in Grand Blanc Township by exchange or
money, goods, services or other valuable consideration is hereby required to
notify the Township Clerk's office for information on Oak Wilt prior to
conducting such practices.
Be It Therefore Further Resolved:
Tree Care Practices: Oak Wilt Management
- Suspected cases of oak wilt shall be reported as soon as observed, to the
Grand Blanc Township Clerk.
- Any developer contractor and/or owner{s) of property preparing a site for
construction during April 1st through October 15th shall follow strict
adherence to the above Oak Wilt prevention practices.
- Trees confirmed with oak wilt shall be the responsibility of the property
owner to perform or cause to be performed, one of several of the following
practices.
- Members of the red oak family, which have died of oak wilt shall be removed within 5 weeks.
- Members of the red oak family not infected by oak wilt, but potentially root grafted to a tree that was killed or diseased with oak wilt, should be treated by injection of the fungicide Alamo by a registered company. Members of the white oak family diseased with oak wilt may recover with Alamo tree injections.
- Trenching may be a practice in lieu of or in addition to injections for oak wilt management.
- Dead oak trees will be removed and properly disposed by chipping to less than 3 inches or removed to a disposal site for debarking, burning or burial. Oak wood retained as firewood will be sealed with a tarp during the warm season, April 1 -
October 15.
- Stumps left by removal of oak trees shall be promptly removed or buried.
- Responsibility for oaks in this resolution will reside with the property owner(s). In right-of-way situations the responsibility will reside with the Genesee County Road Commission. In utility easement locations, it shall be the responsibility of the
utility company to schedule trimming between October 16 and March 31.
Be It Therefore Further Resolved that copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to appropriate State and County representatives, utility companies, tree service companies as well as Township property owners.
Clerk's Certification
I, Lorraine Parker, the duly elected, qualified and acting clerk of the township of Grand Blanc, Genesee County, Michigan, do certify that the above resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Township Board held in the Government Center, G-5371 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan on the 14th day of February, 2002, by a majority of the members of the board presenting and voting.
Lorraine A. Parker, Clerk
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