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Tree / Weed Inspections
Tree and Weed Inspections
The City of Champlin provides the service of a certified tree inspector who will inspect all public and private places within the City for diseased trees. If the tree inspector finds that a tree is diseased, he/she will notify the property owner by mail that the diseased tree(s) must be removed within twenty (20) days from the date of such notice. If the diseased tree(s) is not removed, the tree inspector shall order the tree(s) to be removed at the expense of the property owner. For more information, contact the Parks and Public Works Department at 763-421-2820.
Weed Notice
Property owners shall not permit grass and/or weeds to exceed a height of 8" in platted areas of the City, as per Ordinance 8-106.
It is the duty of every property owner to keep weeds, grass, brush or plants in a healthful condition and appearance so as not to be harmful to the general public. The Weed Inspector will inspect and issue notices for those in violation of this ordinance and require said owner to eradicate the nuisance within a 10-day period. In the event of non-compliance, the City shall order the work done and all labor and administrative costs will be charged to the property owner.
This notice is to inform all Champlin property owners of their responsibilities to control noxious weeds per State Law, and weed nuisances per City Ordinance. For more information, contact the Parks and Public Works Department at 763-421-2820.
Minnesota Noxious Weed Law
The Minnesota Noxious Weed Law was enacted to protect the residents of Minnesota from injurious effects of noxious weeds. This law and related statutes are under the general administration of the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Day-to-day or routine administration of the State's noxious weed control program is carried out by the director of the Agronomy Services Division through the Supervisor of the Section of Weed Control. Implementation of the noxious weed law is accomplished through several Regulatory Investigators located throughout the State. One of their primary duties is to see that local governments fulfill their responsibilities in the actual enforcement of the law. The actual enforcement is carried out by local governments through local weed inspectors in townships and cities and County Agricultural Inspectors in every Minnesota County.
A noxious weed, as defined Minnesota Law, is an annual, biennial, or perennial, which is deemed by the Commissioner of Agriculture to be injurious to public health, public roads, environment, crops, livestock, and other property.
Prohibited Noxious Weeds / Restricted Noxious Weeds
- Field bindweed Buckthorn, common or European
- Hemp Buckthorn, glossy, including all cultivars
- Loosestrife, purple
- Mustard, Garlic
- Poison Ivy
- Spurge, leafy
- Sowthistle, perennial
- Thistle, bull
- Thistle, Canada
- Thistle, musk
- Thistle, plumeless
- Construction Damage- What Is It?
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Any wound to the root system, the stem or main branches of a tree caused during construction could be considered construction damage. These wounds occur during or as the result of site clearing, building site preparation, soil grading, paving, building activities using heavy equipment and stock piling soil or building materials. Construction damage can occur on projects as small as paving a patio or can occur on grander scale projects such as creating a shopping mall.
- Why is construction work so hard on trees?
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Trees get into trouble when they become low on energy reserves, when their roots can’t get enough oxygen or water, or when more than 40% of their root system is lost. Most construction damage happens to the root system. Developing a site is seldom possible without hurting tree roots to some extent. Roots are one of the most vital parts of the tree, responsible for nutrient, oxygen and water uptake and anchoring the tree in the soil. In addition, energy-rich chemicals are stored in the roots. Trees draw on these energy reserves to get them through emergencies like drought, defoliation, insect attack or construction damage.
- Why is prevention key?
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Nearly everyone recognizes the value of trees in providing shade, or ornamentation and protection. All too frequently, the trees that make a site attractive are damaged or killed during construction by inadequate protection or carelessness. Sometimes it is possible to remedy the situation, but it is always better and more economical to prevent damage than to remedy it.
- What should my plan include and what should I prevent?
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Formulate a plan. Select which trees can be saved and which trees should be removed. Try to save islands of trees rather than individuals. Talk about your plans with contractors/workers. Make a map so plans are clear to everyone. Fence off areas to be protected. Post signs that say “off-limits”. Water trees regularly before, during, and after construction activities. Monitor the site for signs of tree damage. Timing: Cut trees down during the fall and winter because the “saved” trees are extremely vulnerable to wounding during the spring. Use chain saws to fall trees near the trees you want to be saved. Avoid felling trees INTO the trees you want to be saved. Avoid pushing trees over with bulldozers, because it rips up neighboring trees’ roots.