City of Valley

There are over 5,000 street trees within the City that are approaching 90 years of age. These trees have been damaged over the years by storms and impacted by the growth experienced by the City of Valley since its inception in 1980 causing some to be potential hazards to the City and its citizens. A Tree Management Ordinance was passed in 1995 and Tree Removal Procedures were adopted in 1998 to help minimize damage that these aged trees could cause during inclement weather or other destructive events.

In March of 2006, James Jackson was selected to fill the City Forester position. Vince Marshal was named Landscape Arborist in 2008 . Both James and Vince are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

The purpose of the ISA Certification Program is to improve the level of knowledge and standard of practice within the tree care profession. It is designed to assist the public in identifying those professionals in arboriculture who have demonstrated, through a professionally developed examination and education program, a thorough knowledge of tree care practices. All Certified Arborists carry a wallet identification card for verification. Certification is valid for three years. The ISA program tests and certifies an individual's knowledge in the field of Arboriculture.

Having ISA certified arborists will help ensure the health and safety of the City’s urban forests and ensure that the procedures established by the Tree Management Ordinance passed in 1995, the Tree Removal Procedures adopted in 1998, and any new procedures that will be established in the Urban Forest Management Plan will be adhered to.

The City Forester and Landscape Arborist interact with the public in education and training in the proper care and maintenance of trees belonging to the citizens of the City of Valley. Vince also oversees the meetings of the City of Valley's Tree Board in the continuing caring for the City's urban forests. As the City Forester, James has a close, working relationship with the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

The City Forester's duties are to care for the City's urban forests by:

1. pruning
2. checking the trees for diseases
3. removing dead limbs and dying trees
4. grinding stumps
5. spraying for insects
6. planting new trees to replace those that have died or have been removed
7. teach classes to public works employees
8. educate public on benefits of trees

The City Forester is a member of the following organizations that provide information for everyday activities and provide schools for recertification.

• International Society of Arboriculture
• Alabama Urban Forestry Association
• National Arbor Day Foundation 
• Georgia Urban Forestry Council