Clarke to Introduce Tree Removal Bill

A bill requiring city agencies to give notice before a tree is removed from a public area is scheduled to be introduced to the Baltimore City Council Monday.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, the sponsor, and Councilman William Cole, the co-sponsor, are proposing legislation that changes current law by making the wording clear that notification must be posted prior to a tree being destroyed.

The law would require anyone removing a tree on public property to post notice on the tree at least five days before it is scheduled to be felled. 

Clarke said she submitted the legislation in response to city trees being removed to improve site lines prior to the Baltimore Grand Prix race.

Clarke said the intent of the bill is to make it clear that notice has to be given before a tree on public property can be removed. She said she believed the law had previously required notification, but that her intent is to make that requirement as clear as possible.

“I thought [allowing trees to be chopped down without notice] was a misreading of the current law,” Clarke said.

Clarke said she asked Cole to be a cosponsor because the incident prior to the race was in his district. 

After introduction, the bill will be assigned to the Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee.

The city solicitor, the Department of Recreation and Parks as well as the Commission on Sustainability have been asked to provide reports on the bill by Oct. 22.