Canton Township: Planning Services

What is the Canton Tree Planting Partnership Program?

The Tree Planting Partnership Program provides Canton residents with the opportunity to apply for “rebate” vouchers to replace street trees in front of their homes that have died or to purchase a tree is they’ve never had a street tree.

Applications for Tree Program vouchers are processed on a first come, first served basis. Applications are available from the Planning Services office or can be printed off of the Canton website from the “Forms and Publications” menu under Planning Services.

Who’s eligible to participate in the Tree Program?

Any lot or parcel will be eligible for a maximum of one voucher per program year for trees planted between the sidewalk and the curb line of the street.

Homeowner and condominium associations will be eligible for a maximum of 10 vouchers per program year for trees planted in the bermed park areas adjacent to a public street.

If an association is coordinating tree planting for street trees for individual lots or units, a combined application may be submitted with a detailed list of addresses and number of trees requested in accordance with the above limitations per lot or unit. In this case, the vouchers will be issued to the association.

How do I obtain a voucher?

Once Planning Services receives an application, an approved voucher will be sent to the applicant in the mail if funds are still available. The program participants will also receive a list of approved tree species and planting specifications with the approved voucher. Trees must be purchased after the issuance of the voucher to be eligible for reimbursement.

What is the purpose of the Forest Preservation Ordinance?

Its purpose is to promote an increased quality of life through the regulation, maintenance and protection of trees, forests and other natural resources.

What does the Tree Fund have to do with the ordinance?

The Tree Fund was established for maintenance and preservation of forest areas and the planting and maintenance of trees within Canton. If a developer is required to replace trees removed from a site and does not replace on the site, he may elect to pay into the found in-lieu of replanting on the site.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

Yes, the removal or relocation of any tree with a diameter at breast height (D.B.H.) of six inches or greater requires a permit.

The removal, damage or destruction of any landmark tree or tree located within a forest is also prohibited without a permit.

You must also obtain a permit for clear cutting or grubbing within the drip line of a forest.

Are there any exemptions to the tree removal permit?

Yes, all agricultural/farming operations, commercial nursery/tree farm operations and occupied lots of less than two acres in size, including utility companies and public tree trimming agencies, are exempt from all permit requirements.

How do I obtain a tree removal permit?

You can obtain a permit by submitting a Tree Removal Permit Application. The application contains the following information:

The owner and/or occupant of the land on which the tree is located
A legal description of the property on which the tree is located
A description of the area effected by the tree removal including tree species mixture, sampling of tree size and the notation of unusual, scarce or endangered trees
A description of each tree to be removed, including diseased or damaged trees, and the location thereof
A general description of the effected area after the proposed tree is removed

Once a tree is removed am I required to replace it?

Whenever a Tree Removal Permit is issued for the removal of trees, other than landmark/historic tree, with a D.B.H. of six inches or greater, trees must be relocated or replaced by the permit grantee if more than twenty percent of the total drip line area is removed.

Tree replacement needs to be done in accordance with the following:

If the replacement trees are at least two inches but less than three inches in D.B.H., the permit grantee will be given credit for replacing one tree.
If the replacement trees are at least three inches, but less than four inches in D.B.H., the permit grantee will be given credit for replacing one and one half trees.
f the replacement trees are at least four inches in D.B.H., the permit grantee will be given credit for replacing two trees.

What about landmark tree replacement?

Whenever a Tree Removal Permit is issued for the removal of any landmark tree with a D.B.H. of six inches or greater, trees must be relocated or replaced by the permit grantee. Every landmark/historic tree that is removed needs to be replaced by three trees with a minimum D.B.H. of four inches.

What are the replacement standards?

According to the ordinance, all replacement trees must:

Meet both the American Association of Nursery Standards and the requirements of the State Department of Agriculture.
Be nursery grown.
Be guaranteed for two years, including labor to remove and dispose of dead material.
Be replaced immediately after the removal of the dead tree, in accordance with the A.N.A. standards.
Be of the same species as the removed trees. When replacement trees of the same species are not available from Michigan nurseries, the applicant may substitute any species listed in section four of the ordinance provided that shade trees are substituted with shade trees. Ornamental trees don’t have to be replaced with ornamental trees but it is encouraged where feasible.
Be located on the same parcel of land on which the activity is to be conducted. Where tree relocation or replacement is not possible on the same property on which the activity is to be conducted, the permit grantee shall pay monies into the Canton Tree Fund for tree replacement within the township. These monies shall be equal to the per tree amount representing the current market value for the tree replacement that would have been otherwise required.

Planning Service
Tree Partnership Program

Community Planner: Jeff Goulet
1150 Canton Center S.
Phone: (734) 394-5170
Fax: (734) 394-5157
Email: municipalservices@canton-mi.org

2008 Tree Planting Partnership Program

Tree Replacement Program Selections - Please click on thumbnails to view larger images.

Planning Service Tree Partnership Program

Community Planner: Jeff Goulet 1150 Canton Center S. Phone: (734) 394-5170 Fax: (734) 394-5157 Email: municipalservices@canton-mi.org

2008 Tree Planting Partnership Program

Tree Replacement Program Selections - Please click on thumbnails to view larger images.

Planning Service
Tree Partnership Program

Community Planner: Jeff Goulet
1150 Canton Center S.
Phone: (734) 394-5170
Fax: (734) 394-5157
Email: municipalservices@canton-mi.org