For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. The word “shall” as used in this subchapter is mandatory and not merely directory.
CERTIFIED ARBORIST. An individual who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture’s Certified Arborist examination, is designated as a Certified Arborist by said organization, and maintains such designation through attending at least 30 hours of qualifying continuing education within each three-year period certification period.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE. A more or less circular area on the ground equivalent to a circle around the trunk with a radius equivalent to one foot for every one inch in dbh.
CROWN. The upper portion of a tree that contains the large scaffold limbs, branches, twigs, and leaves.
DBH. Diameter of the tree trunk at breast height, four and one-half feet above the ground.
DRIPLINE. A vertical line that extends down at the point of the greatest extent of the tree’s branches.
ESTABLISHMENT. The selection, placement, planting, and maintenance of new trees in the landscape. The minimum period of time required for establishing trees is generally considered to be three years.
HAZARD TREE. A tree that is at risk for failure, either whole or in part, with the part large enough to cause damage, and there exists within the falling distance of the tree or tree part a target, such as people, buildings, vehicles, or hardscape.
MAINTENANCE. Routine, periodic, or occasional activities directed at maintaining or improving a tree’s health and condition. Maintenance activities include but are not limited to mulching, pruning, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, cabling and bracing, and lightning protection system installation.
PROTECTION. The active or passive protection of a tree’s roots, trunk, and crown for the purpose of avoiding damage to these living structures and maintaining tree health and structural integrity.
PRUNING. The deliberate removal of tree branches for a specific purpose, i.e. young tree training, deadwood removal, utility line, traffic, or pedestrian clearance, or correcting structural defects.
REMOVAL. The cutting of a tree at ground line to remove the tree’s trunk and crown. The tree stump and roots may or may not be removed along with the trunk and crown.
ROOTS. The below ground portion of a tree that includes large, woody support roots and small, non-woody, fibrous “feeder” roots. Roots are generally located within the top 18 inches of soil and extend out from the trunk two to three times the width of the crown.
TOPPING. The improper removal of tree limbs with cuts made between nodes; also known as “tipping”, “heading”, and “shearing”.
TREE. A woody perennial plant, generally with a single trunk but sometimes with multiple trunks, with the potential to attain a mature size of at least three inches in trunk diameter at four and one-half feet above the ground and a height of at least 15 feet.
TRUNK. The main woody stem of a tree that supports the crown and functions in the transport of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates from the crown to the roots and the roots to the crown.
(Ord. 10-03-01, passed 3-16-10)