Several months ago, the Ripon City Council agreed to remove sycamore trees along Jack Tone Road along the bike path.

The reason for that was due to complaints from neighbors of the debris of spiky seed pods being both a nuisance and safety hazard. The sycamores, once removed, will eventually be replaced by a variety of Chinese pistache.

It was discovered back at the Sept. 10 meeting that the City of Ripon doesn’t have a policy on tree maintenance.

Elected leaders are looking to change that.

Council moved forward Tuesday on adopting a city-wide resolution on taking care of those trees within the public right-of-way and when certain conditions require the removal of those trees.

Director of Public Works James Pease indicated that the latter would include removing trees that are dead, diseased beyond cure, hazardous to the public, or the cause of repeated extensive damage to utilities, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and / or private property.

Trees would also be required for removal to make way for city projects along those that are deemed a traffic hazard due to the obstruction of sight distance or of regulatory traffic control devices.

“The law requires us to maintain our trees,” Deputy City Attorney Stacy Henderson said.

She added: “I think it’s a good policy.”

According to the policy – it was approved 5-0 and will require a second reading prior to being enacted – the City of Ripon is “responsible for caring of certain trees within the public right-of-way including watering, trimming, spraying, general maintenance, and removing roots when property damage may occur.

“Property owners are responsible for caring for trees within the public right-of-way in parkways directly adjacent to their property.”

Pease said that the policy also calls for the city replacing the removed trees with that of a 15-gallon size.

As for the purpose of the resolution, he pointed out that the trees help preserve and enhance the environmental benefits provided by Ripon’s urban forest, including the reduction of air and noise pollution while conserving energy through shade and cooling and helps out with the wildlife habitat.