Trees

The City of Alliance Administration would like to offer this column to answer some of your questions about "Our Town." At times we will feature only one subject that will be explained in detail. Other times we will simply throw out pertinent facts that may inspire other questions. At all times, we encourage your calls and letters if you have a question or comment.

This first column is about trees. So, what’s to know about trees, you ask? Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. However, Section 159.15 of the City’s Codified Ordinances states that the city has the "right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased tree(s) on private property within the City, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects or disease, etc."

If you have a tree that is endangering the power lines, you may be able to get First Energy to come and take a look. If you give Luann Koch of First Energy a call at 330-821-4125, she can tell you under what circumstances they will trim or remove a tree.

If you hire a tree service to take down a tree, the tree service needs to come to the City Administration building at 504 E. Main St. for an Arborist’s permit. And with them they need to bring proof of insurance for bodily injury and property damage and proof of Worker’s Compensation if they have employees. The permit covers a full year, so the tree service doesn’t need to do it every time they have a job to do. Before actually removing the tree, you will need to talk to the City of Alliance Shade Tree Commission about their requirements. The Shade Tree Commission can be reached by calling the City Administration office at 330-821-3110.

If the roots of a tree you have in mind for removal have torn up the sidewalk, you’ll be responsible for repairing or replacing the sidewalk. If replacement is needed, you will need to obtain a permit for that from the City’s Engineering and Building Department at 504 E. Main St.

Speaking of permits...well, that’s another whole column.

If you have a certain subject you would like to see covered, please call the City Administration at 330-821-3110. We’ll do our best to search out the answer.