Hedge trimming vs. the CAO (2 of 2) 2017

Arborist Mike Juneau describes the process for restoring and maintaining a non-invasive purpose-planted Leyland cypress privacy hedge in the Shorelines jurisdiction, Bainbridge Island Washington.

Like most mature privacy hedges, approximately 75% of the green is removed ANNUALLY to maintain this hedge and its function (see description in laurel hedge video).

This is NOT allowed in the current proposed draft of Critical Areas Ordinance (August 2017), which allows up to 10% of green to be removed every THREE years, up to 25 percent every three years with an ISA Certified Arborist on site.

The current proposed draft of Critical Areas Ordinance (August 2017) requires a Critical Areas Permit to restore AND to maintain this hedge. It is uncertain whether this hedge would be allowed to be restored and maintained in Critical Area or Critical Area buffer under the current draft being reviewed by Bainbridge Island City Council.

Hedge maintenance must be included under 16.20.090 part A along with other pruning.