The grade of all planting stock regulated by this chapter shall be in conformance with the "American Standard For Nursery Stock", published by the American Association Of Nurserymen. Park grade trees shall not be allowed. The planting of trees and other vegetation shall be in accordance with accepted horticultural practices, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. Tree Standards: The following general standards for trees to be planted on village streets, parkways, or other municipally owned property shall be applicable:
1. All trees selected shall be grown in a nursery located in the northern half of the state.
2. All trees selected shall be healthy and shall be free of insects and diseases, bark bruises and scrapes on the trunk or limbs before and after planting.
3. Each tree selected shall be consistent in form and character with the species and shall have a straight trunk with limbs not lower than six feet (6') above the ground.
4. All trees selected shall have a trunk diameter, measured six inches (6") above the ball, of not less than three inches (3").
B. Spacing And Location: Trees to be planted in the parkway shall be spaced no more or less than forty feet (40') apart, unless otherwise approved. They shall be no closer than:
1. Five feet (5') back from the curb or, in the case of streets without curbs, five feet (5') back from the pavement edge or from the edge of any swale or ditch.
2. Forty feet (40') from the nearest corner of the pavement of intersecting streets, said distance to be measured away from the corner along both of the streets.
3. Ten feet (10') from driveways.
4. Fifteen feet (15') from streetlights.
5. Five feet (5') from fire hydrants, buffalo boxes, vaults, and the like.
6. Five feet (5') from sidewalks, unless otherwise required or approved.
C. Planting Seasons: The fall planting season shall be from October 1 to December 1, and the spring planting season shall be from March 15 to May 15, unless otherwise specifically approved by the village board.
D. Planting Standards: The following general standards for the planting of trees on village streets, parkways, or other municipally owned property shall be applicable:
1. Trees shall be balled and burlapped and shall not be dug for removal from the nursery until immediately prior to their planting.
2. The planting hole shall be twelve inches (12") larger in diameter than the diameter of the ball.
3. All trees shall be hand planted and planted straight.
4. The tree shall be planted the depth at which it was growing in the nursery. The ball shall be placed in undisturbed soil on the bottom of the hole to prevent settling.
5. In most instances, the backfill around the ball shall be the same soil as that which was removed from the hole; however, in cases where rocks, stones, etc., are encountered, topsoil shall be used.
6. Any excess soil, debris or trimmings shall be removed from the planting site immediately upon completion of planting.
7. Where necessary, trees shall be staked to ensure that they remain straight.
8. All tags, wires, plastic ties and wire baskets shall be removed from each tree.
9. Tree holes may be machine dug, but if the existing lawn is damaged, it shall be the responsibility of the permittee to restore the lawn to its original condition, using sod. The sides of all holes that are machine dug shall be hand shaped to eliminate glazing.
10. The permittee shall also secure all necessary underground utility locations prior to planting. (Ord. 95-03, 4-10-1995)