The City of Marion is responsible for the maintenance and care of trees located within public owned property or right-of-way adjacent to City streets as identified by Iowa State Code.  This applies to trees located on public grounds, parks, green spaces and between the curb and sidewalk, as well as trees located within the street right-of-way where no sidewalk occurs.  

Tree maintenance falls under the parameters in Chapter 297 of the Marion Code of Ordinances.  Specific detail of public tree requirements can be found in the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice.  A summary of maintenance includes:

• Trimming to promote healthy development and allow free passage of pedestrian and vehicular traffic
• Removal to mitigate risk, nuisance, hazard and/or the spread of pests or disease
• Addressing public concerns to ordinance violations, clearance and visibility conflicts, storm damaged or broken limbs, and a variety of other tree conditions.

Private property owners are responsible for the maintenance and care of any tree located inside the lot and property lines. Tree related civil disputes between private owners should be settled by those property owners involved.  Private tree branches are to be kept trimmed to a minimum of a 14 foot height over a City street and a minimum of a 10 foot height over any public sidewalk.  At no time may any private tree or landscape plantings block the clear passage of any City street or public sidewalk, or in any way obstruct vision to vehicular traffic or traffic signage and control devices. 

Trees on private property considered to be at risk of defect or failure may be reported to the City Arborist.  It is not the intention of the City to become involved with private tree matters.  However, the City Arborist will conduct an assessment of a private tree ONLY if it is evident that an imminent likelihood of tree failure exists in combination with a high likelihood of impact to a person or property.  Only after assessment by the City Arborist may the City deem a private tree as a nuisance, and notify a property owner with a written notice to abate that nuisance.

Arboricultural Specification Packet

The City of Marion recognizes the need to respond to the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB), a destructive, highly invasive, non-native insect that has the potential to impact the City’s urban forest for years to come. EAB was confirmed in Marion in 2018 and has been found in many areas where staff are working to reduce the public Ash population.

The City has developed and initiated an Emerald Ash Borer Readiness Plan to identify appropriate and effective response actions to be taken now that the emerald ash borer is discovered within Marion city limits. These actions include prevention, detection, communication, and management activities. The City is committed to using the best available science, and information about the economic, environmental, and social consequences of the available options, as the basis for making appropriate management and control recommendations.  

Helpful Links

Emerald Ash Borer Information Guide
Emerald Ash Borer Fact Sheet
Iowa Department of Natural Resources 
ISU Forestry Extension 
Iowa Tree Pests