Department of Business and Neighborhood Services Renee Carty, B.E.S. manager

You know BNS is the Kinder… …Gentler department…

Well than, you are going to love our section!

Welcome to the Forestry Section of the Bureau of Environmental Services

Who is the Forestry Section of B.E.S.T.? We enforce Chapter 701 - Trees and Flora of the Revised Code of the City of Indianapolis Chapter 701 Oversee trees and flora in the City/County public right of way Administer flora permits Regulate the risk of private trees to the city’s right of way

What is a Flora Permit? Free Requires commitments Must be applied for Continued watering If you removing, normally you will be replanting Reapplying chemicals Stewardship projects – five years Must be applied for Application process takes 3-5 business days or (peak season) 7-10 business days

When to apply for a Flora Permit Planting trees, shrubs or perennials Pruning flora Removing flora Chemically treating or fertilizing a perennial or tree On City Property

Flora permits keep you from…

How do I check if a tree is on the city’s property? If you are unsure if the tree or perennial is in the city’s right of way or not, email bns.environmental@indy.gov and an inspector will inspect to determine if the flora is in right of way or on private property If you have concerns as to whether or not you need a flora permit, email bns.environmental@indy.gov

Taking care of private trees No Flora Permit required for working on private trees

Construction Care The cost and care of preventing tree damage during protects our assets. The key to tree preservation is protecting the root system from damage. Causes Root Damage Excavation, Grade changes, Traffic, Material storage (including soil)

Heritage trees Chapter 744 Article 5 Purpose foster aesthetically pleasing, environmentally beneficial, and sustainable development minimize the harmful impact of noise, dust and other debris, increase the attractiveness and long-term value; encourage the preservation of significant trees that will help absorb CO2emissions

Heritage Trees The Heritage Tree Conservation provisions apply to all development or redevelopment on lots and parcels in any zoning district that contain (i) more than 20,000 square feet of lot area, and (ii) a primary structure with a use other than those described in Section 744-502.A., as well as to any new lot of record, regardless of the primary use of the property, in all zoning districts.

Removal of any heritage tree is prohibited unless: The tree is dead, significantly and terminally diseased, a threat to public health or safety, or is of an undesirable or nuisance species. The tree interferes with the provision of public services or is a hazard to traffic. The location of the tree is preventing development or redevelopment that cannot be designed to protect the tree.

Recap Flora permits are free Flora permit needed to work on City trees Care for the city trees nearby or the ones you have planted Private trees matter, too Heritage tree program

Questions? 317-327-2236 BNS.environmental@indy.gov