13-11 Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes

A.    Care of Trees on City-Owned Property

1.    It shall be unlawful to remove any tree on City-owned property unless the City has approved of the proposed removal.

2.    It shall be unlawful for any person other than a public utility, the owner or party in lawful possession of abutting property, a licensed tree trimmer, or City employees or agents to remove, trim, or treat City-owned trees.

3.    All trimming, treatment, or removal of City-owned trees shall be done in compliance with the City’s tree care specifications.

4.    The City reserves the rights to plant, prune, maintain, remove, treat, or trim all trees, bushes or shrubs, and other plantings located upon all City-owned property, including street rights of way. However, it shall be the responsibility of the owner of property abutting trees located on street rights of way to maintain the trees so that they do not become a nuisance as defined in subsection C, below.

B.    City Tree Care Specifications

1.    City Council may adopt tree care specifications and any other regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Chapter.

2.    It shall be unlawful for any person to top any City-owned tree by severe cutting back of the limbs to stubs larger than three inches (3") in diameter within the tree’s crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree, unless the City specifically authorizes such topping due to special circumstances such as storm damage or obstruction of utility lines which make normal trimming impractical.

C.    Nuisances Created by Trees, Shrubs, and Bushes

1.    The following are hereby declared to be a nuisance:

a.    Any tree, shrub, or bush upon public or private property which obstructs the proper view of traffic control devices or signs, or unreasonably obstructs the view from vehicles or by pedestrians of traffic at intersections, or which obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

b.    Any tree, shrub, or bush upon public or private property with dead, diseased, or decaying limbs which create a safety hazard to persons or property.

c.    Any dead or decaying shrub, bush, or tree upon public or private property which harbors insects or is diseased, which could cause the infestation or infection of other trees or plantings within the City.