Tree Chopping Policy Meant to Notify Homeowners Not Consistenly Used

Port Washington officials realized a policy that's been in place for 15 years wasn't being followed after a resident recently raised issue with the removal of trees from his property without notice from the city.

Street Commissioner Dave Ewig said the policy involves delivering a notice of the tree removal to a resident's home about two weeks before it's set to be taken out, according to an Ozaukee Press article. The notice would include reasons for removal.

Richard Thompson, who lives on Parknoll Lane, returned home in January to find just a stump remaining of the healthy ash tree that once welcomed him home. He was never given notice.

"I planted both of these trees when we built our home 29 years ago," he told the Port Washington Common Council after the incident. "We valued these trees and took additional steps to hire a arborist to keep these trees healthy."

Ewig said trees would be removed despite owner opposition, the Ozaukee Press article said, and that another notice would be sent when trees would be replanted.