As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
ANSI A300: That certain standard tree, shrub and other woody plant maintenance standard practice as set forth in ANSI A300 (part I) - 2001, as published by the American National Standards Institute, Inc., and approved on May 22, 2001.
ANSI Z133.1: That certain safety standard regarding the planting and maintenance of trees in proximity to utility lines as published by the American National Standards Institute, Inc., May 22, 2001 edition.
ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNER: Any person(s) owning property adjacent to public rights of way.
ARBORICULTURE: The management of trees; including planting, pruning, watering, fertilizing, removal or any other action which affects the healthy growth and maintenance of trees.
COMMUNITY FOREST: The sum of all trees and shrubs within the city.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE: The area under a tree extending from the base of a tree in all directions to a line ten feet (10') outside of the drip line.
DISEASE: A process that causes anatomical disruptions, physiological dysfunctions, and energy disruptions that lead to decline and/or death of an organism or any of its parts.
HAZARDOUS TREES: Public or private trees that create any unsafe situation for persons using adjacent public property.
LICENSE: An annually issued license issued by the city which allows the city to determine adequate liability insurance coverage and proper knowledge of ANSI standards by any contractor doing tree contracting within the city limits.
OBSTRUCTIVE TREES, SHRUBS OR HEDGES: Public or private trees that prevent appropriate passage or safe vision on any public right of way.
PARK TREES: Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, and all area owned by the city or to which the public has free access as a park.
PERMIT: Written approval issued by the city and required for any activity above or below ground that may impact the canopy or the critical root zone of any public tree.
PERSON: Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company, or other governmental entity or organization of any kind.
PEST: Any insect, disease, animal or other organism that causes harm or damage to trees.
PRIVATE TREES: Any trees other than public trees.
PROPERTY OWNER: The recorded owner or contract purchaser of any parcel of land.
PRUNING: The practice of managing tree health according to the national standards as set forth in ANSI A300.
PUBLIC PROPERTY: Real property owned, managed, or leased to the city and dedicated to the public for present or future use.
PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY: Improved or unimproved public property owned by, dedicated to, or deeded to the public for pedestrians, vehicular or other public use. It includes, but is not limited to, streets, alleys, sidewalks, access routes for public utilities, and open public spaces.
PUBLIC SAFETY: The condition of being safe from bodily harm or injury and/or property damage resulting from tree conditions and/or failures while using public property.
PUBLIC TREES: Trees located upon public property owned by the city, including street trees.
SHRUB: A woody perennial plant, branched at or near the base and which at maturity is expected to grow less than fifteen feet (15') in height.
STREET TREES: Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues or ways within the city.
TOPPING: The severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches (3") in diameter within the tree's crown or the removal of the top part (trunk and limbs) of a coniferous tree, thereby removing the normal canopy and disfiguring the tree.
TREE: A woody perennial plant, usually having one main stem or trunk and many branches and which, at maturity is expected to exceed fifteen feet (15') in height and two inches (2") in diameter. The failure to achieve such height at maturity shall not preclude its consideration as a tree. (Ord. 2137, 10-6-2015, eff. 10-6-2015)