What tree-cutting restrictions currently exist around Lake George? The LGA is called frequently with questions like this one, by people seeking accurate information on how they can best protect the Lake. For example, if a landowner wants to save a mature tree standing in an area near the shoreline of Lake George in the town of Bolton, and a neighbor wants to remove the tree, what do the rules say?
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) has regulations that protect against removing trees and other vegetation along the lake shore. However, the APA allows any local government within the park to develop its own local land-use program, which if approved by the Agency, transfers some authority from the APA to the local government. Towns currently with land-use programs include Bolton, Lake George, Hague, and Queensbury.
According to the current APA Citizen’s Guide, there are generally no requirements for the harvesting of trees on non-shoreline parcels unless an owner plans to clearcut more than 25 upland acres or three wetland acres, or the property is located in a Designated River Area.
Along shorelines, however, APA rules limit cutting is to the following (and Bolton’s laws mirror these):
• Within six feet of shore, not more than 30 percent of the shoreline may be cleared of vegetation (bushes and trees) on any one lot.
• Within 35 feet of shore, not more than 30 percent of trees in excess of six inches in diameter, measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, may be cut over a 10-year period.
Trees are essential to maintaining sensitive lake shore areas. They are very valuable to our watershed; each one is investment in the future water quality of Lake George. Because trees offer so many benefits, decisions to remove trees should be made with complete information, weighing all the facts.
Sometimes homeowners and developers remove trees on a property because they think removal is the only way to “improve” the view. (Instead, the filtered view shown here is much more enlightened, and lake-friendly!) Or they think a tree might fall on their roof, even if it is healthy. (They could wait until the tree shows signs of disease and ask an expert to confirm it.) Sometimes, careless or ignorant construction practices lead to new projects that unnecessarily disturb essential tree roots, compact soil, remove too much soil, or pile too much soil up against the base of a tree, leading to unwanted disease and death.
According to Laurel Gailor of the Warren County Cornell Cooperative Extension, residents should take extra precaution during construction projects to protect the trees that they have. Only those trees that are diseased or insect-ridden should be removed, to protect the neighboring trees. Mitzi Nittmann, the zoning enforcement officer in Bolton, will visit a homeowner’s property to help assess whether a dying tree, or one damaged by lightning, presents a threat to a structure on the property, and should come down. These are all good reasons why trees should be removed. But in most cases, the more trees the better!
Here are just a few reasons why trees are important:
– Trees provide privacy, and frame a view.
– Trees reduce nighttime glare and light pollution.
– Trees serve as acoustical barriers, absorbing the sounds of boats and other noises.
– Trees along streams, wetlands, and lakes help control stormwater runoff, keep water temperatures cool, remove soil sediment, reduce flood damage, and increase water quality.
– Tree roots stabilize the soil, preventing erosion.
– One square mile of forest produces 50 tons of erosion sediment. In contrast, land prepared for construction produces 25,000 to 50,000 tons of sediment per year.
– Shade trees on the east and west side of a home can cut cooling costs 15 – 35%.
– Trees can form a windbreak to slow and redirect the wind, lowering your heating bills in the winter.
– Trees produce food and habitat for wildlife – enjoy watching it!
– Trees produce oxygen and store carbon dioxide (just the opposite of humans), which helps to clean and restore our air.
– One acre of trees on your property can absorb the carbon dioxide you produce by driving your automobile 26,000 miles, and produces enough oxygen for 18 people every day.
ALL good reasons why trees are a key ingredient for living lake-friendly on Lake George!
