City of Bel Aire
Tree Board
Tree Board Members work to insure that the City maintains its position as a leader in environmentally friendly practices. Continuing the tradition of environmental stewardship, the Bel Aire City Council created the Tree Board in 1995. The responsibilities and duties of the board are set forth in the amended City Ordinance Number 305, but the general purpose of the Tree Board is to Promote the planting, growing and maintenance of trees by providing assistance to our citizens. The tree board has assisted in securing the City's Tree City USA designation. For over 12 years, the City of Bel Aire has met or exceeded the requirements for the Tree City USA program, a signal of the long standing environmental commitment of our residents.
Community Highlights 2010
A 'Survivor Tree' a graft grown from an American Elm that survived the bombing of the Oklahoma City building was donated to the Wichita State University. This tree was planted at the memorial honoring those who died in the plane crash on October 2, 1970. And another 'Survivor Tree' was planted and dedicated to 'Randy Jackson' a citizen of Bel Aire and a survivor of the WSU plane crash.
The Tree Board planted a tree in the front yard of home where the residence survived a fire that destroyed their home on July 1st.
For Arbor Day, a Chinese Pistache was planted in Central Park and long time Tree Board members Don and Stephanie Lentz were honored.
The Tree Board has discovered 138 dead or dying residential pine trees in Bel Aire as a result of pine wilt disease. A power point presentation was made to the City Council addressing this problem and as a result KAKE TV filmed several trees in Bel Aire and interviewed Tree Board members. This was aired on the evening news. The Tree Board also worked on a brochure titled 'Pine Wilt Disease 'What is it? What Can I Do About It.? An article was published in the December's issue of 'Bel Aire Breeze' a local newspaper.
Tree Top Nursery donated 26 beautiful large trees to the City and they were planted in a new park. This added an instant appeal to the park and City very much appreciates this donation. Thank you Tree Top.
Tree Planting Program
The City of Bel Aire has an incentive program for planting trees. If the following guidelines are followed when planting trees, citizens can qualify for a rebate. Street Tree Planting Program Application
- Trees must be shade trees and not ornimental trees
- Trees must be placed 2 ft. - 8 ft. from curbs
- Minimum height must be 6 ft. - 8 ft. when tree is planted.
Recommended Trees:
Below you will find a link to various types of trees well suited for the Bel Aire environment. The Please use this as a guide in your landscaping endeavors.
- Preferred Trees of South Central Kansas:
http://www.kansasforests.org/pubs/community/SC%20Pref%20Trees%20-%20FINAL2.pdf
Tree Related Brochures, Videos & Presentations:
City Codes that Established the Tree Board
Regulations:
Streets & Sidewalks– The limbs of trees (or shrubbery) that hangs above any street or sidewalk in the City should be trimmed at least 8ft above the sidewalk and 12ft above the streets.
Light Poles & Fire Hydrants – All trees (or shrubbery) greater than 18 inches in height are prohibited within 10 feet of street lighting poles or within 5 feet of fire hydrants.
Tree Spacing – To promote healthy growth of trees, the city encourages the new planting of trees so that the spacing shall be in accordance with the size.
- Small trees – 30 ft between trees; 2 ft from curb/sidewalk
- Medium trees – 40 ft between trees; 3 ft from curb/sidewalk
- Large trees – 50 ft between trees ; 4 ft from curb/sidewalk
Sight Triangle – Nothing should be planted or allowed to grown between 2 ½ feet and 8 feet above grade level in the sight triangle of an intersection.
Utilities – Trees should not be planted within 10 lateral feet of any overhead utility wire or within 5 lateral feet of any underground municipal water line, sewer line, transmission line or other public utility.
Tree Topping – It is unlawful for any person or firm to engage in tree toping –sever cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than 3 inches in diameter within the trees crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.
Tree Protection – It is unlawful for anyone to attach wire, rope, chain, sign or any other material to any trees within the city, except when used as a preservation practice
Useful Links