The roadside right-of-way serves many purposes– it provides space to escape crashes, creates a sense of openness that contributes to driving ease, improves sight distances, provides space for maintenance activities, such as snow removal and storage, and provides an area that allows for proper road drainage. However, overhanging trees, brush and weeds can grow into a serious safety concern for road users, especially in and around power and telephone lines, highway medians and along the roadside.

The Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) has developed a Tree Policy 2021 and Roadside Vegetation Control Program (see below) to help keep the roadside right-of-way reasonably clear. This two-prong approach is designed to contain roadside vegetation that could obstruct motorists’ vision, obstruct the traveled portion of the roadway, create drainage problems or cause snow/ice problems if left unchecked.

Roadside Vegetation Control Program

Roadside mowing

WCRC uses a subcontractor to perform roadside mowing. Per their contract, they will mow along paved county roads twice and unpaved county roads once throughout the season. They do not mow along subdivision roads. The contractor is responsible for the scheduling of mowing to mow through the county most efficiently. They generally work on a township-by-township basis. Click here to read more about WCRC’s roadside mowing program.

Mechanical brush mowing (Boom Mowing)

WCRC crews use a specially designed brush mower to cut back roadside brush. This equipment will focus on clearing brush that is 2” in diameter or less. This mowing will be done year-round, whenever the weather allows. Over the past decade, WCRC has not had the resources to mow brush. Fortunately, with increases to road funding from the state, WCRC is finally able to restart its mechanical brush mowing program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will you be mowing on my road?

Roadside mowing – WCRC uses a subcontractor to perform roadside mowing. Per their contract, they will mow along paved county roads twice and unpaved county roads once throughout the season (typically late May through October). They do not mow along subdivision roads. The contractor is responsible for the scheduling of mowing to mow through the county most efficiently. They generally work on a township-by-township basis.

Mechanical brush mowing – WCRC conducts this work year-round, whenever the weather allows.

Overgrown brush is making it difficult for me to safety exit my driveway. Will WCRC come out to remove this brush?

WCRC does not mow or clear brush for driveway sight distance. Driveway sight distance is the responsibility of the property owner per the terms of the driveway permit. WCRC will mow the road edges throughout the season which may help with driveway sight distance.

If a resident feels they still can’t see safely when pulling out of their driveway, they should clear the appropriate vegetation in order to be safe.

WCRC will work to clear overgrown brush near county road intersections that are blocking sight distance. If you know of an intersection that needs to be addressed, please click here to report the issue. 

Your crews just brush mowed and there are large branches in the road, are you coming back to clean-up?

Yes, it is our intention to clean up any large debris placed in the roadway as a result of this operation. The focus of mechanical brush mowing is the ditch area beyond the edge of pavement and most of the debris will remain in the ditch line.

Does WCRC really want property owners to assume responsibility of brush on their own property?

WCRC considers roadside maintenance a team effort and is pleased to have property owners as partners in this vital safety program. This is why the WCRC is eager to accommodate property owners who prefer to handle vegetation control themselves. This kind of joint effort benefits both WCRC and the property owners.

Will herbicides be used as a part of this program?

No, on July 16, 2019, the Washtenaw County Board of County Road Commissioners voted to terminate the herbicide spraying program effective immediately. Maintaining the roadside continues to be a priority for WCRC but it will now rely on the other tools of the Roadside Vegetation Control Program as resources allow, including, mechanical brush mowing (boom mowing) and roadside mowing.

There's a dead/dying tree along the road, will WCRC remove it?

WCRC will remove trees within the road right-of-way that are dead or dying. If you know of a tree that needs to be evaluated for removal, click here to submit a work request. Alternatively, property owners are welcome to remove the tree in the road right-of-way adjacent to their property themselves, WCRC asks that they apply for a free tree removal permit prior to this work.

Please note, due to limited resources, the list of dead or dying trees that need to be removed is very long and it may take WCRC crews years before they are able to remove a tree once it has been evaluated and placed on the list. WCRC has recently hired a professional tree removal contractor to assist but it will take an extended period of time to catch up.

When does WCRC trim or remove living trees along public roads?

In all planning, design and maintenance activities staff will attempt to minimize impact to trees whenever possible, but there will be times when trees along public roads need to
be trimmed or removed. Per WCRC’s Tree Policy, the following criteria will be considered by staff to determine if tree trimming or tree removal is necessary:

  1. Drainage and Road Improvements – Whether the tree(s) are in conflict with the construction or maintenance of necessary drainage and/or road improvements.
  2. Crash Frequency – Whether there are specific locations or road segments with evidence of vehicle-tree crashes either from actual crash reports or scarring of the trees.
  3. Intersections and Railroads – Whether the tree(s) are obstructing adequate sight distance at intersections of public roads or railroad crossings.
  4. Horizontal and Vertical Curves – Whether the tree(s) are located in a target position on the outside of curves, obstructing sight distance on the inside of curves or overhanging the road and obstructing sight distance on hillcrests and sags.
  5. Shading – Whether shading from the tree(s) is causing structural deterioration and/or intermittent ice or snow accumulation on the traveled portion of the road.
  6. Fallen Trees – Whether the tree(s) have fallen within the traveled portion of the roadway. WCRC will prioritize removing trees, limbs or branches that have fallen across the traveled portion of the roadway.
  7. Dead Trees – If the tree(s) are dead and within the public road right-of-way, a property owner may contact WCRC to have the tree(s) removed. Tree removal will be scheduled by the district foreman as time and resources allow.
  8. Potentially Hazardous Trees – The Washtenaw County Highway Engineer retains the right to remove any tree(s) within the public road right-of-way which may pose a safety hazard to the public.

Staff will develop and follow procedures that reflect best environmental practices for tree trimming and/or removal. Examples include tree trimming practices that reduce susceptibility to oak wilt and following state/federal tree removal seasonal restrictions due to Indiana and Northern Long-Eared Bat roosting.

Staff involved with tree trimming and/or tree removal activities will participate in regular training related to tree trimming and/or removal. This training will cover a variety of topics including worker safety, techniques and environmental precautions