Battle Creek, MI Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Chapter 1026 of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances governs trees in curb lawns, street rights-of-way and parks in the City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. Section 1026.06 sets the planting geometry. Plantings of shade and ornamental trees in streets and parks are done by the Department of Public Works in accordance with prescribed tree planting practices. Elm trees must sit not less than sixty feet apart, oak trees not less than fifty feet apart, and every other shade or ornamental tree not less than forty-five feet apart. A tree is never planted in a curb lawn that is less than three feet wide, every tree goes mid-way in the curb lawn, and no tree is planted nearer than twenty-five feet from the intersecting rights-of-way of any streets.

The chapter defines the curb lawn as the area between the street curb and sidewalk on streets with curbs and gutters, and as the area between the traveled portion of the road and the dedicated public right-of-way on all other streets. Under Section 1026.04, the Director of Public Works controls all trees in curb lawns, street rights-of-way and parks. A citizen who wants to plant, prune or remove a tree in the curb lawn or public right-of-way must apply for a permit with the Department of Public Works, listing name, address, tree location and species. The Director can require that the work follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and that the citizen pay all or part of the cost. Section 1026.02 lists prohibited species: poplar, willow, box elder, silver maple, locust, tree of heaven, catalpa, mulberry and Chinese elm. The Director can order removal of any tree of a prohibited species under Section 1026.05. The Tree Advisory Council advises the Director on the Annual Tree Work Plan, which is announced each December.