Exciting new law proposed in Rhode Island

DruidCarol

DruidCarol

Participating member
Location
Rhode Island
Well, this takes the cake in my mind. A Rhode Island legislator proposes fining people for not keeping trees clipped to avoid dropping pine needles and leaves... http://bit.ly/providencetreelaw (yeah, I know it covers more than Providence). Gee, maybe a gravy train for tree companies as hysterical people call to have everything on their property cut down?:frenetico:

Wonder if this guy has a clue about a few facts, such as it is usually the wind that distributes fallen debris into others' yards, and that ecologically it's good to let the leaves fall where they may. Well, as Bugs Bunny would say, "What a maroon!" There are better things to be getting on with.
 
I don't know if they changed the video in that article but it seems like that guy actually has some clue (other than the fact he is a politician). Talking about right tree, right location. Making owners responsible for maintaining their trees. All good ideas.... But.... But, who is the authority, who's jurisdiction. Who is going to enforce it? State employed arborists?
Can the owner appeal if a tree is condemned as a hazard? Sounds like a good start to neighbor wars! :cachetada::hueco::muyenojado::tonto:
 
With a heavy heart and my head hung low I regret having to tell you folks this bill passed overwhelmingly. I have to call my rep to see why she voted this way.
 
own your shit I like it. I am a town arborist for a municipality and residents call all the time about trees but the road all needs pruning or top it to reduce leaves etc there all idiots but then you look around and they have seasoned storm damage not there back yard widow makers over the play set but there more concerned about what they can get for free.
 
The potential for this law to be weaponized by spiteful neighbors is high. Additionally, there was an interesting clause thrown in that excluded municipal trees from this.

Imagine you have a problem neighbor. Now you have a bigger problem.

And another thing I thought of. Given there was little quantifying how much leaves from your neighbor equals breaking the law, this may cause people to err on the side of caution and have their trees butchered back. Thus reducing their value and property value.

Edit- I read this wrong and leaves have little to do with this. Disregard that part of my statement.
 
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Sounds like rhode island turned into one giant home owners association. Some people truly can't afford to have everything manicured. Now they are at the mercy of their neighbor.
 
Treezybreez said:
Sounds like rhode island turned into one giant home owners association. Some people truly can't afford to have everything manicured. Now they are at the mercy of their neighbor.
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Didn't think of it that way. When you do, that means the state legislature is now the HOA Board.
 
RIVIEZZO TREE EXPERTS said:
own your shit I like it. I am a town arborist for a municipality and residents call all the time about trees but the road all needs pruning or top it to reduce leaves etc there all idiots but then you look around and they have seasoned storm damage not there back yard widow makers over the play set but there more concerned about what they can get for free.
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The enforcing party could compel the tree owner to remove a perfectly healthy tree. As I look around at the average lot size in RI, this bill does not come close to making sense. One person's definition of a nuisance could simply be a healthy tree that drops leaves in their yard. This bill, if passed, would be absolute insanity. It's not about 'owning your shit,' it's about whiny, lazy tree haters getting a legal foot hold. Not good at all. It is, to me, the ultimate NIMBY stunt.

Tom
 
tomthetreeman said:
It's not about 'owning your shit,' it's about whiny, lazy tree haters getting a legal foot hold.
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Well said.

tomthetreeman said:
NIMBY
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As someone who works in public development, I can tell you that NIMBY is soooo 1990's!
In the 2000's, we moved to NOPE. (Nowhere On Planet Earth)
Now in the 2010's, we're up to BANANA (Build Absolute Nothing Anywhere Near Anything)
 
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I've heard of some tree butchering done in a small Massachusetts town because a friend of the (now former) tree warden didn't like his neighbor's beautiful shade tree being close to his car. Town saw nothing wrong with the tree warden massacring a private tree. It is likely to start a sort of range war of NIMBYs. Honestly, if you don't like trees, move to the desert or the arctic tundra.
 
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