Auburn University recognizes that trees located on its campuses are valuable natural resources. Trees are important for the protection of the environment, for the maintenance of the quality of life and for added appearance of the campuses.

     Because of Auburn's land grant traditions and expertise in the fields of forestry and agriculture it is essential that the University exert leadership by example in its efforts to preserve and renew these assets.

     The Board of Trustees shall direct the development and adoption of a master landscaping plan for each campus which shall show the location, species and size of existing trees and of new trees to be planted. The Board further directs the establishment of a budget and the solicitation of gifts and memorials to fund this policy.

     Since its trees are a living and growing resource that appreciate over a long growth process and which have an indeterminate life span, Auburn University does hereby establish these tenets for their protection, preservation and renewal:

     I. Trees will be maintained, preserved and protected at all times; and

    II. Trees will be considered for removal under certain circumstances hereinafter set out; and

   III. Trees may be removed only after following the procedures hereinafter established; and

   IV. Trees that are removed shall be replaced where feasible.


I. TREES WILL BE MAINTAINED, PRESERVED AND PROTECTED

1. Every effort shall be made to maintain, preserve and protect trees and to keep them pruned, stabilized, and free from damages from the elements and disease.
   
   
2. Every effort shall be made to limit the removal of trees on construction sites for new and expanded buildings, roads and utilities.
   
   
3. The University Architect shall work with project architects, engineers and landscape architects to limit tree removal through appropriate site development.
   
   
4. All construction plans and specifications shall require the identification of the trees to be protected, the construction of protective barriers around protected trees which shall be maintained during the construction, and substantial monetary penalties for the destruction and damage to such protected trees.
   
   
5. No trees shall be removed without adherence to the tree removal policy set out herein.

II. A TREE MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR REMOVAL UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES

1. When it is determined to be dead; or
   
   
2. When it is determined to be diseased beyond preservation, as evidenced by the lack of healthy, living
   foliage during the normal growing season; or
   
   
3. When its location, condition or deterioration constitutes a safety hazard; or
   
   
4. When its location affects the preservation and maintenance of adjacent buildings and unduly contributes to the deterioration of the building; or
   
   
5. When the tree is damaged from the elements or disease to the extent that its appearance is unduly affected; or
   
   
6. When its location is determined to be an obstruction and a hazard to utility lines; or
   
   
7. When its location interferes with the construction of facilities and their site development; or
   
   
8. For any other appropriate reason.
   
   
9. The identification of the tree meeting the above circumstances shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent of the Grounds Department at each campus.

1. The Superintendent of the Grounds Department shall submit a written recommendation for the removal of a tree to the Assistant Vice President of Facilities at the Auburn University campus, or to the Director of Physical Plant at the Auburn University at Montgomery campus, who shall approve or disapprove the recommendation.
   
   
2. The recommendation shall identify the location, species and reason for removal.
   
   
3. The recommendation shall also indicate whether a replacement tree should be planted, giving the location and species, or the reason if the planting of a replacement tree is not recommended.
   
   
4. Approved recommendations for removal shall be submitted to a TREE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE for each campus, which shall consist of three persons appointed by the President of Auburn University for the Auburn campus and the Chancellor of Auburn University Montgomery for the Montgomery campus.
   
   
5. The Committee shall conduct timely review of the recommendation for tree removal and replacement, and in the interest of time may conduct a telephone conference call meeting.
   
   
6. Majority approval, in writing, of the Committee is required to permit removal.
   
   
7. The President of Auburn University may overrule the recommendation of the Committee.
   
   
8. It is recognized that there may be exceptions to this policy, as follows:
   
       a. Emergencies where safety and preservation of facilities require immediate removal.
   
       b. Replacement of newly planted trees which do not survive. Replacement will be made with similar         species, size and shape.
   
       c. Reports of removals under these exceptions shall be made to the TREE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE of the appropriate campus.

1. When it is necessary to remove a tree it shall be the policy to plant a replacement tree.
   
   
2. The location and species of the replacement tree shall be consistent with the master landscaping plan for each campus.
   
   
3. Particular care shall be taken to avoid the planting of trees that would interfere with the Master Campus Plan, future designated building sites, current and projected utility locations and projected street developments.
   
   

   ADOPTED: 3/26/90