(a) There is established the Virgin Islands Tree Board to protect, manage, remove, and establish trees on public property within the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands Tree Board shall also identify, protect, and care for heritage trees that are of cultural, biological, and historical significance in the Virgin Islands. The members of the Tree Board are appointed by the Territorial Forester in consultation with the Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator and the Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator. The Tree Board consists of seven members. At least five of the members must have expertise or education in the fields of arboriculture, forestry, urban forestry, or urban planning. A representative from the Virgin Islands State and Historic Preservation Office (VISHPO) or the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission must serve as a member. The Tree Board shall maintain an inventory of the heritage trees and shall apply to the VIHPC to have heritage trees entered into the Registry of Historic Buildings, Sites, and Places and apply to VISHPO to have heritage trees entered into the National Register of Historic Places.
(b) Persons initially appointed to the Tree Board serve either a one, two, three or a four-year term, as determined by the Territorial Forester. All subsequent membership must be for a term of four years. Succeeding members must be nominated by the original Tree Board members and approved by the membership. Vacancies on the Board are filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The members serve without pay.
(c) The Urban Foresters may seek input and advice from the Tree Board members, but are not members of the Tree Board.
(d) The Tree Board shall draft policies, make recommendations and promote practices to preserve or increase the overall urban forest canopy of the Virgin Islands. The Tree Board members shall remain current and knowledgeable with the standards and practices of the American National Standards Institute, including ANSI A300; the International Society of Arboriculture and other professional organizations dedicated to the care and maintenance of trees.
(e) The Board’s policies must lead to properly managed urban and community forests, maintained with modern and safe tree care practices. The Board’s planting recommendations must promote species diversity in urban and community forests, with an emphasis on native tree species that are suited for roadside conditions. The Tree Board shall:(1) advise the Urban Foresters on technical urban forestry matters, including maintenance, removal, and planting of trees and shrubs within the rights-of-way of public streets and on publicly owned property and public easements, including utility easements, to insure safety and to preserve or enhance the aesthetics of such public sites;(2) maintain and periodically update the recommended tree list;(3) write, revise, and maintain best management practices for tree pruning, removal and planting;(4) draft other appropriate standards as are considered necessary, including the adoption of specific nursery standards, tree size requirements, and maintenance regimes; and(5) approve certified arborists to practice in the Virgin Islands.
(1) advise the Urban Foresters on technical urban forestry matters, including maintenance, removal, and planting of trees and shrubs within the rights-of-way of public streets and on publicly owned property and public easements, including utility easements, to insure safety and to preserve or enhance the aesthetics of such public sites;
(2) maintain and periodically update the recommended tree list;
(3) write, revise, and maintain best management practices for tree pruning, removal and planting;
(4) draft other appropriate standards as are considered necessary, including the adoption of specific nursery standards, tree size requirements, and maintenance regimes; and
(5) approve certified arborists to practice in the Virgin Islands.