It shall be unlawful as normal practice, except as described below, for any person, firm, or city department to top any street tree, park tree, or other tree on public property. “TOPPING” is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees that interfere with or are an imminent threat to utility wires or other obstructions, where other pruning practices are impractical, may be exempted from this subchapter at the determination of the Tree Commission.
(Ord. 18-30, passed 9-4-18; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21)