New tree ordinance adopted in Waynesville
Waynesville’s green push isn’t new, but a new ordinance designed to protect trees on town property will bolster the town’s environmentally friendly stance.
File photo
Trees already line many of Waynesville’s streets and ring the town’s parks, but after Town Council’s Oct. 28 meeting, their future care will no longer be left to chance. Council members voted unanimously to adopt a new municipal tree ordinance designed to protect public trees, reduce energy use, improve aesthetics and promote long-term environmental sustainability.
The measure came at the recommendation of the town’s Environmental Sustainability Board, which was formed several years ago to address issues like climate resilience, energy consumption and natural resource protection.
“As you know, the Environmental Sustainability Board has been charged with promoting energy reduction, electric transportation and long-term sustainability of natural resources,” said Kay Kirkman, who serves on the ESB and presented the proposal to council.
Kirkman told council the ordinance applies only to trees on town property, along public streets and within right-of-way areas. It authorizes the town to maintain and protect those trees and assigns oversight to the Public Works Department.
The proposal also establishes a seven-member Tree Board to advise staff on canopy management, planting initiatives and education programs. One seat will be filled by a member of the Environmental Sustainability Board, and the public works director will serve as an ex officio member. An additional, important function of the board is to investigate grants to help achieve the town’s arboreal goals.
Adoption of the ordinance also makes Waynesville eligible for Tree City USA designation, which can open the door to small grants and technical assistance for urban forestry projects.
Related Items
Over 1,000 acres protected in Haywood County
‘Christmas at Lake Junaluska’
Lost apples of the Smokies: Rediscovering the park’s apple harvest heritage
‘Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberly’
Kirkman also described how trees contribute to local environmental quality, from cooling city streets to filtering air pollutants and supporting wildlife.
“One really big environmental benefit would be to reduce the urban heat island effect,” she said. “Numerous studies have shown that with urban development, when you have a lot of pavement and buildings, it’s much hotter than a surrounding environment that is dominated by trees.”
Research conducted with Western Carolina University students found measurable heat differences across Waynesville, with temperatures in downtown and nearby residential areas as much as 15 to 20 degrees higher than in forested zones.
“We all know that you stand under a tree instead of out in the blazing sun, you feel cooler. Well, there are a couple of reasons for this,” Kirkman said. “One is that the trees are simply blocking the sunlight from reaching the ground or reaching a building or pavement. And the other is that as trees take up water, the water is transpired out of the leaves and evaporated, and the cool vapors go into the atmosphere.”
In addition to lowering temperatures, Kirkman said trees help capture and store carbon, slow stormwater runoff and protect local streams.
“When you have a vegetated area, water is able to infiltrate into the ground, evaporates from the trees and significantly reduces surface storm water runoff as compared to impervious surfaces in an urban scenario, and also the tree canopy preserves animal habitat, such as songbirds and beneficial insects that are pollinators.”
At the conclusion of Kirkman’s presentation, council member Anthony Sutton reemphasized that the ordinance would only apply to public property, not private property. Sensing the misinformation that could come from the ordinance, council member Julia Freeman echoed Sutton’s remarks.
Council members ultimately responded positively to the presentation, praising the ESB’s work and the ordinance’s long-term focus.
Mayor Gary Caldwell thanked Kirkman and the board for what he called a “win-win for Waynesville.”
The Environmental Sustainability Board will work with Public Works to implement the new standards and begin developing an annual maintenance plan for fiscal year 2026.
