By CHRIS JENSEN
Mayor of Noblesville
The City of Noblesville is proud to be named a Tree City USA for 34 consecutive years.
One of the requirements to maintain status as a Tree City is to spend at least $2 per capita each year on urban forestry efforts. Noblesville has consistently invested well above that threshold because we value trees and the benefits that they provide our community. From helping filter our air and water, reducing soil erosion, noise reduction, and providing oxygen, trees are a critical asset to any city.
Last year, the city, in a strong commitment to our tree canopy, partnered with SMC Corporation on a tree planting matching grant to offer trees to HOAs, businesses, and nonprofits. We have secured over $200,000 in federal and state grants to support tree planting and management in the city. Our commitment and investment in the tree canopy across our city is a top priority, and with that, we also have to take into consideration the health and wellness of the tree and the area around it.
Unfortunately, we have inherited a legacy of issues resulting from poor decision-making regarding tree selection and planting. The issue of municipal tree management is complex. In cases where the wrong tree is selected in the wrong place, they can create several expensive issues that require city funding that should otherwise be used for the betterment of the city.
The City’s Urban Forester, who has nearly 40 years of experience, and the Engineering Department work closely together to evaluate the health of a tree and its impact on our infrastructure. Our city representatives have been working diligently to improve processes related to new construction to halt the planting of inappropriate trees in the right of way. When the wrong tree is planted in a space where it cannot thrive, it results in overgrowth of roots, which impacts our city sidewalks. A raised sidewalk is not only a hazard to pedestrians but is not ADA-compliant. Noblesville has worked diligently through our Street Rehabilitation Program to ensure ADA compliance, raising our standard from the required standard.
When our team performs evaluations, we consider and, where appropriate, take measures to level sidewalks so that we can make tree removal a last resort necessity. The removal of trees is a decision that is thoroughly vetted and evaluated before the tree is removed and the sidewalk is repaired.
The most important thing to consider is public safety. We have to consider every scenario and impact of the uneven sidewalk or tree that is past its life expectancy, or both. We cannot ignore the sidewalks that need to be repaired, and unfortunately, once the sidewalk has to be lifted, the tree roots are compromised. We have evaluated other options that are costly and less effective long-term.
When removing trees from a neighborhood, the city does our best to come back and replant trees that are appropriate for the space in which they will be planted. Our Urban Forester allows residents to prioritize which tree they would like to have replanted. No decision is made without thorough consideration.
We all love this community. I was born and raised in Noblesville, I’m raising my family in Noblesville, and only want what is best for our city for generations to come. The recent correspondence I have had with residents in various neighborhoods has not been easy, as we understand and respect the different opinions on how to handle street rehab and tree removal.
We are committed to moving forward in a way that best balances the factors involved but remain open to constructive input as we manage trees, sidewalks, roads, sewers, utilities, and development throughout the community.
As your Mayor, I welcome your input. You can email me at cjensen@noblesville.in.gov or call/text me on my personal cell phone at (317) 509-3134.
Chris Jensen is Mayor of the City of Noblesville.