"Urban Forest Law Proposed: Tree Doctor Diagnosis Before Street Tree Pruning"

The Korea Forest Service announced on the 10th that it will publicly notify the amendment proposals to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the "Act on the Creation and Management of Urban Forests, etc."

The proposed amendments include additional provisions in the "Basic Plan for Urban Forests, etc.," which the Korea Forest Service establishes and implements every 10 years, covering pest control, safety management, disaster prevention, and facilities to enhance public use and convenience.

Additionally, heads of local governments are required to establish an "Annual Street Tree Plan" by the end of February each year for the systematic creation and management of street trees, which must be reviewed by a deliberation committee composed of urban forest experts, resident representatives, and civic groups.

A view of the Ippopnamu tree-lined street in Jincheon-eup, Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk. Provided by the Korea Forest Service

The public notification period for the amended content is until the 17th of next month. Once the amendments take effect, trees subject to removal or pruning that are not included in the street tree plan must undergo diagnostic inspections by an arborist before project execution to prevent damage to growth caused by improper pruning or harm to the urban landscape.

The Korea Forest Service plans to establish a rational street tree management system through the legal amendments while strengthening the ecological health of parks, green spaces, and school forests, and creating and managing a pleasant living environment for urban residents.

For more detailed information regarding the amendments to the Urban Forest Act, please refer to the Republic of Korea Electronic Official Gazette and the National Participation Legislation Center website.

If you have any opinions on the amendments, you may register them at the National Participation Legislation Center or submit a written opinion to the Urban Forest Landscape Division of the Korea Forest Service by the 17th of next month.

Kim Ju-yeol, head of the Urban Forest Landscape Division at the Korea Forest Service, stated, "To create a pleasant living environment for urban residents, we will expand urban forests and actively collect opinions from stakeholders including the public and experts for systematic and efficient management."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.