Why Should I Care about Trees?
Trees are essential to the beauty, wildlife, & recreation of an area & to the health of its people & their communities. Trees filter water & air, absorb water, and provide shade & wildlife habitat. Trees increase people’s property values, health, well-being, and sense of community & safety.
The onus is on the developer to follow & ensure implementation of the approved plans for tree canopy preservation; approved plans are not always followed by land disturbance/construction crews.
Louisville Metro lacks sufficient staffing or protocols & procedures to ensure planned tree preservation areas are established & maintained before, during, & after the development process. Louisville Metro does not conduct (regular) inspections & enforce tree preservation laws to ensure compliance. Louisville Metro (& MSD) relies heavily on residents to identify and report non-compliance.
Tree Protection Fences (TPF)
(The point of TPF is to prevent equipment from scraping trees or treading on their critical root zones. This silt fence used at Pope Lick as TPF is supposed to be 3’ beyond the trees’ drip line—not draped on the trunk!)
Tree Canopy Credit Area Destroyed
(Although plans presented to & approved by Planning Commission showed mature tree canopy preservation, this area on Shelbyville Rd in the Floyds Fork DRO/ZOD was leveled & converted into a dirt stockpile area.)
Metro Louisville Land Development Code Chapter 10 contains the primary regulations for tree preservation. The link above highlights several codes that are consistently violated.
What Can I Do?
See Something: Site Disturbance
- (ie placement of gravel at site entrance,
- stockpiled equipment,
- clearing,
- grading, or
- grubbing, etc)
Say Something – Contact Louisville Keep Your Fork
- We can (or help you) contact MSD/LM Office of Planning/KYTC to confirm developer has acquired proper permits and review construction plans for compliance to Tree Preservation Area, etc.
When You See:
High-Visibility orange tree protection fencing placed closer than 3’ from outside edge of tree canopy, or
Failure to install high-vis orange tree protection fencing either on development or adjacent property line(s), or
Heavy machinery parked, or building supplies/debris stockpiled, near tree canopy—either on or adjacent to development property…
Contact Louisville Metro Office of Planning
Planning Supervisor
Rachel Casey
502-574-8272
Rachel.Casey@louisvilleky.gov
Director of Office of Planning
Brian Davis
502-574-5160
Brian.Davis@louisvilleky.gov
-Include address/location of violation(s) & name of development.
-Photos are very helpful!
Additional Resources:
- Economic Benefits
- Environmental Benefits
- Social Benefits
- Human Health Benefits
– KY Energy & Environment Cabinet
“Any encroachment, disturbance or compaction of the soil around the tree can lead to harm, destroying these fine absorbing roots. Injury caused by activities such as improper cutting, crushing, suffocation or poisoning can result in slow decline, dieback and, eventually, the death of the tree. Trees damaged during construction projects may take years to exhibit symptoms.
“Install a physical and highly visible obstruction around the tree or trees to be preserved. Use durable fencing material, such as plastic construction fencing, snow fence or chain link. Place the barrier as determined in the preconstruction survey, identifying the critical root zone (CRZ) and protected root zone (PRZ).”
– Purdue Extension
“Trees and forests play a critical role in capturing rainwater and reducing the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Their intricate root systems act like filters, removing pollutants and slowing down the absorption of water into the soil. This process helps reduce erosion and lessen the likelihood of soil getting over-saturated. Together, these actions make trees a vital element of “green infrastructure” across urban and rural areas.”
“Trees are intertwined with watershed health, and provide a range of water-related ecosystem services, including filtering excess sediment, nutrients, and toxins before they enter waterways, reducing erosion and flooding, and shading streams so they are at optimal temperatures for aquatic wildlife.”
– One Tree Planted
Multiple government agencies and inspectors acknowledge the lack of inspectors or enforcement officers required to adequately ensure compliance. The overall system is designed for developers to self-regulate. Ultimately, the community and ecosystem depend on developers to do the right thing even when no one is looking.
To see change, the community must step up. Louisville Keep Your Fork is here to help. We continue to inform people and encourage community engagement. Reach out with any questions.