Note: Italicized items are not required for USRW certification but will add to the total points accumulated and therefore the star level of certification.

Any missing tree removal or transportation information may be documented only by a USRW Certified sawmill or wood processing facility when the log is received at their site. Any required photographic evidence and necessary documents must be included for certification to be complete. When a tree/log is removed by/for a city/municipality, the amount of required documentation is reduced as noted in the following steps

2.2.1 Tree removal must have been completed under one of the following authorities and

documentation must be included: (REQUIRED)

• A city, municipality, county or regional Urban Forest Management Plan. (5 pts)
• A removal, harvest or exemption permit, or other document from a local governing
• agency or recognized official with authority to issue. (5 pts)
• Homeowner/private party removals from developed residential or commercial
• parcels working with ISA certified arborists. (5pts)
• Orchard Removal with approval from land or tree owner. (5pts)
• Another written forest practice. (3 pts)
• Homeowner/private party removals from residential or commercial parcels who are not working with ISA certified tree services. (3 pts)
• Naturally fallen tree; In states where specific permits are required to move and haul naturally fallen trees, documentation of such permits must be included. (3 pts)
• Removed from waste stream (dump/landfill) by USRW certified business. (3 pts)
• Other documentation from an authorized party. (1 pt.)

2.2.2 Start date of removal must be documented. (REQUIRED for full certification, not

required for interim certification).

2.3 Location tree(s) was/were removed/fell will be documented through one of the following methods: (REQUIRED for full certification)

• When removed from a city/municipality by that city's contracted arborist, the city/municipality will be documented, but no specific address required. USRW Certified City/Municipality, name of certified city (5 pts)*
• Based upon address, Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), XY coordinates, and/or GPS coordinates (5 pts)*
• Cross streets, with zip code or city. (3 pts)
• Zip code (1 pt.)*
• Removed from waste-stream by a waste stream professional, (dump/landfill) provide the dump/landfill address if no other address is known.   (1 pt.)*

*Cannot be combined. Points will be awarded for only one of the above options.

To meet interim certification requirements: Document at a minimum the county from which the tree was removed.

2.2.4 Tree(s)/log(s) will be tagged with trackable identification numbers that will follow the wood utilized from the tree(s) throughout the CoC system. This does not need to be done until it is determined it will make a saw-log grade.  In the case of larger projects, logs may be tagged at the mill site as long as chain of custody via trip ticket or other documentation is available. (REQUIRED)

This section is not required of a USRW Certified city/municipality, but will greatly enhance the value of the CoC and the individual end products when included.

2.2.5 Tree species will be documented (REQUIRED)

2.2.6 Reason for tree removal will be documented. (REQUIRED) To meet interim certification requirements, reason for tree removal will not be required. (USRW Certified Cities should select USRW Certified City Urban Forest Management Plan Action).  If tree removal reason qualifies for more than one category, the category most appropriate for the given situation should be chosen.   If logs are grouped or bundled with source trees with different reasons for removal, the lowest point option of the grouping shall be noted on the bundle or grouping. Applicable situations will be:

• Dead or Dying (5 pts)Insect or Disease Risk (5 pts)
• Natural Disaster Event (wildfire, windstorm, hurricane, etc.) (5 pts)
• Risk of potential for failure or potential for becoming a danger as identified by qualified risk assessor (5 pts)
• Removal of Retired Orchard Trees to be Replaced with New Orchard Trees. (If trees are not being replaced, check land use change.) (5pts)
• USRW Certified City Urban Forest Management Plan Action (5 pts)
• Urban Forest Management Plan Related Action (4 pts)
• Removed from waste stream (dump/landfill) by a USRW certified business. (3 pts)
• Land Use Change or Other Development Activity (2 pts)
• Property Owner Objective/Preference (2 pt.)

2.2.7 Person who removed the tree(s) will be documented (REQUIRED) To meet interim certification requirements, person who removed tree will not be required. (This section is not required of a USRW Certified City/Municipality, but will greatly enhance the value of the CoC and the individual end products when included.) Points will be awarded based on the level of certification of personnel removing tree). If tree removal personnel qualify for more than one category, the category most appropriate for the given situation should be chosen.

• A licensed Registered Forester, Licensed Timber Operator, Certified Urban Forester, or an ISA Certified Arborist (5 pts),
• A Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accredited company (5 pts)
• Other State or Local licensed tree removal contractor (3 pts)
• Waste stream professional (3 pts)
• Orchard Removal Professional (3 pts)
• Homeowner/private party or non-certified arborist IF photographic evidence provided can show tree fell naturally, that failure was clearly imminent, or that it was directed by a governing authority to remove the tree. (3 pts)
• Homeowner/private party or non-licensed or non-certified arborist if the evidence of failure or removal order is not available. (1 pt.)

2.2.7a Documentation will include the following information (REQUIRED):

• Company or agency name
• Name of arborist/tree service/contractor/Registered Forester/Licensed Timber Operator/Certified Urban Forester, other*
• Certification/license # of the person, company or agency removing tree, if applicable
• Company or agency address*
• Company or agency phone number*
• Company or agency email (optional)*

* If no USRW certified company or licensed contractor was involved, or in areas where no licensed contractor is required to move a fallen tree, this section must include the name, address and phone number of the person who provided the photographic evidence that tree(s) fell naturally.

2.2.8 Scaling method, small end diameter (SED) and length of log(s) will be documented to determine log volume. Log volume should be calculated as accurately as possible. This data may be recorded at the receiving sawmill. (REQUIRED) To meet interim certification requirements, scaling method will not be required.

2.2.9 It will be required to document whether tree/wood came from genetically modified trees. Genetically modified trees shall not be certifiable. Note: Orchard, Grafted, Hybrid & Nursery Trees are not considered genetically modified. Genetically modified trees are extremely rare in the United States. There are currently no commercially available GM trees in the United States. (REQUIRED) USRW Certified City/Municipality within the continental United States, check no.

2.2.10 It will be required to document whether the tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to non-forest use. This would include a natural forest that was removed for development purposes and therefore was converted to non-forest or non- urban-forest use. (REQUIRED)

The category most appropriate for the given situation must be documented:

• The tree(s)/wood did not come from a natural forest that was being converted to non-forest use. 
• The tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to non- forest use.
• It is unknown whether the tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to non-forest use due to being removed directly from the waste stream by a USRW certified waste stream professional
• It is unknown whether the tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to non- forest use.

2.2.11 It will be required to document whether the tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest

that was converted to plantation. (REQUIRED)

• The tree(s)/wood did not come from a natural forest that was being converted to plantation
• The tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to plantation.
• It is unknown whether the tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to plantation use due to being removed directly from the waste stream by a USRW certified waste stream professional
• It is unknown whether the tree(s)/wood came from a natural forest that was being converted to plantation.

2.2.12 The distance traveled from removal site to storage or processing facility shall be documented. (REQUIRED) To meet interim certification requirements, this will not be required.

Optional Points within 2.2:

2.2.13 If the tree(s)/wood does not come from a natural forest that was being converted to

non-forest use, an additional (3 pts) are earned.

2.2.14 If the tree(s)/wood does not come from a natural forest that was converted to plantation, an additional (3 pts) are earned.

2.2.15 DBH of tree may be documented. (1 pt.)

2.2.16 All available backstory of tree(s) will be documented (3 pts)

2.2.17 Photographic documentation while tree(s) standing (1 pt. per photo up to 3. More than 3 photos may be documented)

2.2.18 Photographic documentation after tree(s) is/are felled (1 pt. per photo up to 3. More than 3 photos may be documented)

2.2.19 Tree removal was completed by a USRW Certified Organization.  (1 pt.)

Total Possible REQUIRED points for Tree Removal Requirements section (5-20 points). Optional Points (up to 17)