Newberg’s streets and sidewalks are lined with trees and shrubs that enhance our community but overgrown foliage at sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads are unsafe. Disabled persons are unable to use sidewalks and students and seniors are forced onto roads. Businesses loose foot traffic and deliveries are delayed. Our community is better when vegetation is maintained.
Newberg Municipal Code requires property owners to maintain vegetation at all times however, effective January 2022, the City started a program to trim trees to keep our streets and sidewalks safer. (Municipal Code 8.15.100) This is a courtesy to property owners to make transportation safe for all users.
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Look for the following signs in your neighborhood.
- "The City of Newberg Public Works plans to be in this area on (date) for tree trimming"
- "Tree Trimming Starting within two (2) weeks"
- "City of Newberg Tree Trimming in Progress"
FAQ's
Q: What, if any, street impacts can residents expect?
A: We generally do not need to close the road/lanes of traffic to do this work. Drive carefully as equipment and workers will be on the side of roadways. If we do need to close the road, we will let people know, and it will be very temporary. Usually this means the limb being trimmed is too big to remove safely without a clearer work area. Our teams do not block sidewalks and do a great job paying attention to make sure the public has right of way. Before we begin work, we set barricades around the tree we are trimming, giving ample time for residents to move their cars and park somewhere else. WE DO NOT TOW CARS. If a car is in the way of work, we do our best to contact the owner either through license plate lookup or by knocking on the door of the nearby residence/business.
Q: What do you do with the lumber/wood chips?
A: It depends! Sometimes we have projects that we can store the wood chips at our Public Works Yard for until we need them. Other times we work with Chehalem Parks and Rec to use them for their parks.
Q: Who does the work? How can I recognize them?
A: City crews do all the tree trimming. We wear hi-vis attire with the city logo on it, along with hard hats and vests. We will drive up in a vehicle with the City of Newberg logo on it.
Q: How long does the work take? When do you expect tree trimming to wrap up for the season?
A: Tree trimming typically takes place from October to November, wrapping up at the end of November.
Tips for pruning trees:Prefer to trim your own trees? Below are some helpful tips. Trees are dormant in the winter which helps you because leaves are gone. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) emphasizes a few simple principles for pruning:
- Prune with a purpose - Remove dead or diseased wood, provide clearance, improve structure
- Remove dead or sick branches before harsh weather to protect your property
- Technique - Improper cuts can cause long-term damage
- Make small cuts - Creates less damage to the tree than large cuts
- Make cuts just outside the branch collar for faster healing
- Do not leave stubs
- Only use sharp and clean tools and use safety gear
