Those that are dead, in an advanced stage of decline, or are significantly damaged.

Those that are affected by pest infestation and are a significant threat to surrounding healthy trees.

Those located above the ditch line or beyond the break of a fill slope.

Those that create an unacceptable risk/safety hazard to the motoring public such as blocking sight distance, situated within the clear zone, obscuring signs, or leaning toward the roadway in such a manner that could cause the tree to fall into the roadway or damage an existing asset.

Those species that are invasive or not native such as Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven).

Those blocking potential scenic vistas.

Those that will negatively impact assets including, but not limited to, right of way fences, concrete or paved ditches, headwalls, wing walls, bridge abutments, and curbs and sidewalks.

Trees not in one of the previous categories shall not be removed unless approved by the District Environmental Manager.

Dogwood trees shall not be removed unless approved by the District Environmental Manager.

No vegetation may be removed within a riparian buffer unless approved by the District Environmental Manager.

When removing trees, they will be cut flush with the ground where possible and stump treatment should be applied.

A boom-axe shall not be used to prune trees of shrubs.

In any pruning operation, the natural form of the tree should be maintained when possible.

No more than 25% of a tree’s foliage shall be removed during any one growing season.

No branches are to overhang the roadway below 20 feet and no live branches are to be cut above 20 feet unless it is necessary to provide adequate sight distance, roadway clearance, and/or minimize known cold spots.

Trees that do not affect line of sight, interfere with vertical or horizontal clearance requirements, or contribute to pavement cold spots should not be pruned.

Trees should not be side walled or topped. Removal may be an alternative.

Branches should be cut close to the tree trunk or parent limb without cutting into the branch collar or leaving a stub. Cuts should not be made flush with the trunk and should not injure the branch collar.

Clean cuts shall be made at all times.

Larger branches must be pre-cut to prevent splitting or peeling the bark. The three-cut method will be used. The resulting stub shall be cut to the branch collar.

Mechanical trimming may be authorized on selected rural secondary routes that meet the criteria for mechanical trimming. The District Environmental Manager may authorize mechanical trimming in compliance with this policy and the following criteria:

The height of cuts will not exceed 20 feet.

Mechanical trimming will not be used on Virginia byways, scenic highways or on roads with major tourist attractions.

Mechanical trimming will not be used if opposed by the public or property owners.

Mechanical trimming will be used only on roads with low to moderate traffic counts relative to system averages.

The District Environmental Manager will be responsible for designating those routes where mechanical trimming will be authorized.

Manual trimming to achieve ANSI 300 Standards shall be conducted within seven workdays of mechanical trimming.

All cut vegetation shall be chipped, beneficially used, or immediately removed and disposed of in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Regulations (9 VAC 20-80-10 et seq.) of the Virginia Waste Management Board.

 Wood can remain on the right of way outside of the clear zone for no longer than seven days. Wood should be cut into lengths that can easily be handled by one individual.

 Vegetation may be left on a fill slope, as authorized by the District Environmental Manager.

The use of climbing irons or spurs is positively forbidden in any tree not being removed unless they are to be used to rescue a climber.

Limited crown raising of trees may be allowed, as authorized by the District Environmental Manager.

Dead wooding and crown cleaning is an accepted pruning practice.

Trees designated to be of historical, environmental, or social importance shall not be pruned unless approved by the District Environmental Manager.

Trees and shrubs located on private property adjacent to the right of way that pose an unacceptable safety risk to the traveling public may be pruned or removed with the property owner’s written permission. The following processes shall be used:

Determine if pruning can b e performed in compliance with current ANSI A300 Standards without entering onto private property.

Contact the property owner(s) to request that he/she perform the desired work.

If the property owner(s) is not willing to perform the desired work, written permission must be requested from the property owner(s) for VDOT to enter and perform any required work.

Procedure for performing work on private property:

Send a letter to the property owner(s) notifying him/her of the potential hazard to the motoring public and request permission to perform the work at state expense.

Include a copy of the Right of Entry Agreement for Vegetation Management to be signed by both the property owner(s) and a VDOT representative prior to entry upon the property.

After the work is completed, document the comment section regarding completion of the work and attach pre- and post-work photographs of the site.

Should a property owner(s) refuse VDOT entry to the property, the district shall notify the State Maintenance Engineer.

In those situations when the property owner will not authorize access to the property, pruning will not extend beyond VDOT property and, therefore, may not be in accordance with current ANSI A300 Standards.