WHEREAS, the great number of mature trees located in the Lake Barcroft community constitute a significant part of the ambience and uniqueness of the community;
WHEREAS, the trees, together with the lake itself, are assets which contribute greatly to the economic value of the properties contained within the community; and
WHEREAS, the trees play an important environmental role in that they clean the air by filtering pollutants and producing oxygen, establish a crucial niche in the lake ecosystem by providing homes and food for insects, birds and other wildlife, reduce erosion and runoff by stabilizing soil with their extensive root structures, reduce the amount of pesticides and other chemicals washed into the lake, and lower energy costs by providing shade and cooling the air;
THEREFORE, The LBA Board hereby adopts a policy to promote the preservation and enhancement of Lake Barcroft’s trees. In particular,
- LBA discourages the removal of mature trees, with the exception of those trees which are dead or dying, and those trees which present an imminent danger to existing structures.
- LBA encourages home owners to plant indigenous trees on their properties, both as replacements for removed trees and as components of their landscaping plans.
- In addition to any required approval from LBA’s Architectural Review Committee, LBA urges home owners to consult with LBA’s Environmental Quality Committee before removing any mature trees and to receive help and advice on their landscaping plans.