Speaking of Landscapes & Plantings . . . What About the Trees?

Did you know that when we remove trees from our landscapes, we add to the loss of our area’s natural pollutant filtering system – our tree canopy? Trees remove carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants from our environment. The City of Salisbury and its Planning Department are continually looking into ways to incorporate the preservation of our tree canopy here.

If you live in one of Salisbury’s historic districts and you plan to remove trees, measure the diameter of the tree trunk first! Salisbury requires a permit to remove old growth trees that have trunks 18-inches in diameter or more. The permit is obtained from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for receiving and approving Certificates of Appropriateness and permits for tree removal. Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Contact staff liaison Janet Gapen at (704) 638-5230 with any questions.

If you’ve been out and about in the North Main neighborhood recently, you may have seen a massive tree removal project going on at the corner of E. Steele Street and N. Main Street. Many neighbors were devastated to see the loss of some very large old-growth trees. However, the tree removal was planned, designed, and handled appropriately.

This tree removal project includes the three properties at 901 N. Main, 903 N. Main, and 112 E. Steele St.. The neighbors are collectively replacing the destroyed driveway that provides access to all three homes. Our neighbors followed all City of Salisbury and HPC guidelines for getting approval for the project, which included the removal of the trees. This project will also make it possible to get as many as five cars off of Steele Street (if you’ve ever attempted to drive down E. Steele, you will agree that it is a maze of parked cars due to the limited parking facilities for the homes there), and for the first time in decades one of our Main St. neighbors will have direct access to her home without dangerously parking on the Main St. promenade or on Steele and walking to her house. When these homeowners met with the Historic Preservation Commission, they were complimented for their efforts and design. One of the largest trees that came down had totally destroyed the left side of the foundation of the Steele St. home. The tree was a no-brainer for the Planning and Tree Board to agree to its removal. It was the only way that the house could be saved for the future. We all hated to see the trees come down, but preservation of the Steele St. structure and usability of that multi-family driveway has made some sense out of it.

Trees that grow in cities and towns are called “the urban forest”. Trees are major capital assets in cities across the United States. Just as streets, sidewalks, public buildings and recreational facilities are a part of a community's infrastructure, so are publicly owned trees. Trees -- and, collectively, the urban forest -- are important assets that require care and maintenance the same as other public property. Trees are on the job 24 hours every day working for all of us to improve our environment and quality of life. Life is hard for these trees because of limited space, water, nutrients and extensive pavement covering the soil all around them. Many trees get cut down because their roots crack the pavement as they seek water and nutrients. The urban forest (and its many benefits) will disappear unless people stand up for these trees and work to plant, maintain and steward them. Conscious urban forestry needs to become integrated into the agenda of all city governments and city planners, as well as in the mindset of our residents.

The Salisbury Tree Board is a seven (7) member, City Council advisory board that advocates the planning, preservation, and planting of trees on public rights of way and public properties. Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Salisbury-Rowan Utilities, 1 Water Street. Contact staff liaison Mark Martin at (704) 638-5255 for more information.


It is interesting to note that if you do remove trees, the City requires for every tree removed – you must plant another to replace it on the property somewhere. In this manner, we can ultimately sustain the tree canopy and help to clean the air in our neighborhoods. Remember, it takes decades for the trees to reach the height and breadth of some of our old-growth trees. Make every effort to ensure that if you must remove this valuable resource, that your reasons for doing so can be justified and that you have plans to replace the trees as soon as possible.