by Mari Radtke
For Marcus residents wanting to plant a tree in the space between the sidewalk and the street, parking, can do so under certain conditions. An application is required to be submitted and approved by the City Council.
A tree planted in the parking must be placed midway between the outer line of the sidewalk and the curb or 10 feet from the property line. This rule keeps trees in alignment with an orderly appearance.
Each tree must be planted in a soil space at least 81 square feet in area. The space must be at least 9 feet in width. Visibility issues are also part of the rules. A tree cannot be planted closer than 20 feet from a street intersection or within 10 feet of a driveway. The preference is for trees to be planted inside the property and not in the paring.
Fruit-bearing trees cannot be planted in the parking. Species from the cottonwood, poplar, box elder, Chinese elm, evergreen, willow or black walnut also are prohibited from being planted in the parking. Landowners of the abutting property to the parking where the tree is planted are responsible for trimming and other maintenance of the tree. Branches are to be 15 feet above the street and 8 feet above the sidewalks. Supervision by city staff while trimming trees in public property is required by state law. Exceptions can be found in Section 151.03 of Iowa Code.