The city has revised its tree protection ordinance to clarify which residential neighborhoods are covered and to establish clearer rules about when trees can be removed during construction projects. The updates apply to properties zoned R1 and R2, Edina's standard residential districts.

Several practical changes aim to make the process faster and more efficient. The city reduced the timeline for escrow accounts and letters of credit—financial guarantees that ensure tree replacement happens—from 36 months down to 12 months. The ordinance now also allows developers to replace trees at different locations with city approval, rather than requiring replacement on the original property.

A significant new requirement involves certified arborists, who are tree experts. Under the updated rules, developers must hire a certified arborist at the start of certain projects to plan tree protection and coordinate with city inspectors. As one council member noted, this creates better continuity: "one of the best parts is that now certified arborists are required at the beginning of the project for certain projects and that helps coincide with our prior requirement to have them help with the building final at the end of the projects."

The ordinance also clarifies rules for unbuilt lots—empty properties where developers plan to construct homes. On these lots, protected and heritage trees can be removed without mitigation requirements if they're within specified distances of where new structures and infrastructure will go.

The council emphasized that these changes were shaped by input from residents and the development community. The updates attempt to balance Edina's commitment to preserving its tree canopy with the practical needs of homebuilders and property owners undertaking construction projects.