The Village of Cary is committed to providing aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound streetscapes.  A parkway tree inventory was completed in 2006 and determined that at that time there were 6,466 parkway trees.  Trees in the parkway on public streets are maintained by the Public Works Department.
 
On September 16, 2014, following an analysis of the previous cost-sharing program, the Village Board approved a revised policy enacting a multi-year parkway tree replacement program funded by the Village.  Approved policy document.
A summary of the program is below. 

	Multi-Year Replacement Program
	Standard Program	Expedited Option	Expedited Option with Choice of Tree
Cost to Resident?	None (0%)	Yes (100%)	Yes (100%)
Tree Species Selected By	By Village	By Village (Purchased with bulk bid)	By Resident (with Approved Permit)
Tree Planted By	By Village	By Village (Planted with bulk bid)	By Resident’s Licensed Contractor (with Approved Permit)
Order of Priority	By Zone (Density of Missing Trees)	In Order of Request	In Order of Request
Replacement Timeframe	Annually (up to 7 years)	Next Available Planting Season	Next Available Planting Season

The goal of this program is to ensure that a majority of the parkway trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) are eventually replaced.  The previous cost sharing program was voluntary and resulted in a relatively low participation rate and a net loss of approximately 1,200 trees in the Village's parkways and neighborhoods.

The amount of time to replace most of the 1,800 parkway ash trees will depend on the funding allocated each year.  Based on estimated levels of funding, it is anticipated that the remaining parkway ash trees could be replaced within the next six to seven years.  

A Prioritization Map indicating the approximate order of replacement by zone (not by year) will be maintained by the Village and posted on the website (see link at the bottom of this page).  Zones would be prioritized according to the number of missing trees/block, focusing on the areas with the highest percentage of empty parkways first.  The maturity of the ash trees removed would also be factored into the formula.

Some locations where trees were removed are not ideal or appropriate for replacements (such as locations too close to driveway aprons, power lines, other trees, in front of stop signs, etc.).  Details can also be found in the Parkway Tree Replacement Policy.

Residents can expedite the planting of the tree in their parkway if it is not in the next year's program and the location meets the criteria for appropriate planting locations.  The resident is responsible for the full cost of the tree in order to expedite the planting.  The most appropriate species of tree for each location will be determined by the Village and purchased in the same bulk contract as the standard replacement program.  Planting is taken care of by the Village's contractor.  An Expedited Tree Replacement Form is available at Village Hall or on this website for those who wish to participate in the option. Expedited replacement options flyer.

If residents would like to select the species of tree for their parkway, this can be accommodated as part of the Expedited Replacement Option.  However, residents would be responsible for engaging their own licensed contractor, select from an Approved Species List for their specific location, and pay for the full cost of the tree. A Parkway Tree Planting Permit Application is required for this option. Parkway Tree Planting Permit Application.

Any dead or unhealthy tree within the right-of-way under the jurisdiction and control of the Village is eligible for replacement per the same criteria outlined in the Parkway Tree Replacement Policy.  Every site will be evaluated for specific conditions that could affect the choice of species and location as detailed in the Parkway Tree Replacement Policy.  New Planting sites must also meet applicable Landscape Design Standards as specified in Chapter 17.30.060 of the Village Code.  

• Parkway Tree Replacement Policy
• Prioritization Map
• Expedited Tree Replacement Application Form
• Parkway Tree Planting Permit Application