Our trees and vegetation do a lot for Seabrook Island – they maintain habitat for our wildlife, provide shade and erosion control, contribute to water purification provided by our forested areas, and most importantly, provide the unique beauty that Seabrook Island property owners and residents enjoy.
We’ve had a recent increase in the number of Property Owners or contractors facing violation assessments for improper tree trimming. In several cases Property Owners responded saying they didn’t know what the procedures are and, unfortunately, their tree trimming resulted in damaging the tree.
If you are thinking about removing branches or a damaged tree, first check with Adrea Hughes at the SIPOA office. Adrea, an ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist, has a lot of knowledge, will come to your property to assess the situation, and can help you make the right decisions about your trees. You should tie a yellow ribbon around the trees to identify those you wish to prune or remove. She can help you determine whether your tree needs trimming or removal, and can help you complete the necessary paperwork. If you’re thinking of removing a tree that looks as though it’s dying, a permit is required, and she may ask that you have an independent ISA certified arborist examine the tree to determine its health and viability. Some pruning may also require a permit, so it is best to check first. Adrea can be reached at the SIPOA office on 843-768-0061 extension 1561. Trees greater than 6 inches in diameter require prior approval from the ARC or ARC staff before removal, as do live branches greater than 3 inches in diameter. For trimming/pruning branches, guidelines on how to do it while improving the health of your tree can be found in Appendix R below.
If you’d like to read up on tree trimming/tree removal, review the guidance in Appendix L, Tree and Natural Vegetation Preservation/Removal Policy (click here) and Appendix R, Tree Trimming/Pruning Guidelines (click here) of our Policies & Procedures for Residential Development.
-Submitted for the Architectural Review Committee by Veronica L’Allier, ARC Member.
(Photo credit: Pixabay.com)