Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Charlotte Bureaucrats Fine Church for Pruning a Tree




If you want to trim a tree in the Charlotte area, you’d better think twice.  A church was just fined $4000 for excessive pruning:

"We always keep our trees trimmed back because you don't want to worry about them hanging down in the way," said Sales, a church member.

The church was fined $100 per branch cut for excessive pruning, bringing the violation to $4,000.

"I just couldn't believe it when I heard about it," Sales said. "We trim our trees back every three years all over our property, and this is the first time we have been fined."

According to the city forester, you’d better contact them before cutting a branch.  They will instruct you on the proper technique; or better yet, get certified by the National Horticulture Society, because you’re too stupid to use a pair of shears.

Property rights are practically extinct in today’s America, especially in progressive cities like Charlotte.  The Observer states that this type of ordinance only applies to commercial properties:

Charlotte has had a tree ordinance since 1978, and when trees are incorrectly pruned or topped, people can be subject to fines, Johnson said.

Trees planted as a result of the ordinance are subject to the fines if they are excessively trimmed or pruned. These include trees on commercial property or street trees. They do not include a private residence

Than contradicts itself later in the article:

On private property, fine amounts are based on the size of the tree improperly pruned. For small trees such as cherry trees or crape myrtles, the fine is $75 per tree. Excessive cutting can increase that fine to $100 per branch.

For large trees such as oaks or maples, the fine is $150 per tree.

Because there is a widespread lack of understanding on how to prune crape myrtles in the Charlotte area, Johnson said, residents found in violation regarding these trees are asked to simply replace them, and the fine will be lifted.

Is any property private in Charlotte, North Carolina?  Just prune a tree and find out.

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