As used within this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section. The word "shall" as used in this chapter is mandatory and not merely directory. Words of the masculine gender shall be deemed and construed to include correlative words of the feminine and neuter genders.
“ARBORICULTURE.” The practice and study of the care of trees and other woody plants in the landscape.
“ARBORIST.” A person possessing the technical competence gained through experience and related training to provide for and/or supervise the management of trees and other woody plants in residential, commercial and public landscapes.
“ANSI.” American National Standards Institute.
“BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES or BMP.” Best-available, industry- recognized courses of action (in consideration of the benefits and limitations) based on scientific research and current knowledge. A series of BMPs regarding arboriculture practices have been developed by the International Society of Arboriculture ("ISA") and relied upon by the Parks and Trees Commission and the Urban Forester to the extent possible and practical. See § 100.09(A) herein below.
“CALIPER.” A measure of tree trunk diameter in the plant nursery industry. It is measured at a point six inches above the ground line if the resulting measurement is no more than four inches. If a tree is greater than four inches in caliper, the measurement is made at a point 12 inches above the ground line.
“CERTIFIED ARBORIST or CA.” An individual who has demonstrated his/her technical competence and knowledge by passing the ISA's Certified Arborist examination; is designated as a Certified Arborist by said organization; and maintains such designation by attending at least 30 hours of qualifying continuing education within each three- year certification period.
“CITY.” City of Camden, South Carolina.
“CODE.” The city's Code of Ordinances, as amended from time to time.
“CROWN.” The upper portion of a tree measured from the lowest branch. It includes all of the large scaffold limbs, branches, twigs and leaves.
“DECAY.”
(1) Noun. An area of wood that is undergoing decomposition.
(2) Verb. Decomposition of wood tissues by fungi or bacteria.
“DBH.” Diameter of the tree trunk at breast height measured 4.5 feet above ground level.
“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.
“INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT or IPM.” The method of controlling plant insects and/or diseases by combining biological, cultural, mechanical, physical and/or chemical management strategies.
“LINE-CLEARANCE ARBORIST.” An individual who, through related training and on-the-job experience, is familiar with the equipment and hazards in utility pruning and has demonstrated the ability to perform the special techniques involved.
“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, irrigating, fertilizing, pest control, cabling and bracing and lightning protection system installation and/or any other accepted arboricultural practice or standard.
“MANAGEMENT.” Oversight and coordination of activities including but not limited to public tree examinations and maintenance, canopy sustainability, tree risk assessments, tree removals, tree selection and planting and tree conservation and protection.
“MULCH or MULCHING.” Organic material that is spread on the soil surface, normally around newly planted trees or other areas, to reduce weed growth, to retain soil moisture and moderate soil temperature extremes, to reduce compaction, to prevent damage from lawn-maintenance equipment, to reduce erosion, to improve soil quality and/or to improve aesthetic appearance of the landscape. Mulch can be composed of chipped, ground or shredded organic material such as bark or wood.
“PERSON.” All individuals, groups, entities, corporations, agencies, firms or others, acting individually or in concert, as governed by the provisions of this chapter.
“PEST.” A living organism, including but not limited to plants, trees, insects, bacteria or fungi, that is severely damaging, noxious, invasive, a nuisance and/or fatal to a tree or plant or poses a major threat/danger/nuisance to humans or the surrounding environment.
“PROTECTION.” The active or passive protection of a tree's roots, trunk and/or crown for the purpose of avoiding damage to the living structure and to maintain tree health and structural integrity.
“PRUNING.” The deliberate removal of a tree branch or portion of the crown for a specific purpose, i.e. help develop good branch structure, deadwood removal, utility line clearance, traffic or pedestrian clearance or to correct structural defects.
“PUBLIC PROPERTY.” Any and all property deeded to or having a long- term easement running in favor of the city or the South Carolina Department of Transportation (i.e. - parks, greenspaces, street ROW, utility ROW).
“PUBLIC TREE.” Any tree (naturally occurring or planted) within the city limits growing on public property.
“STREET TREE.” Any tree within the city limits that is growing within a street ROW. The tree must be in the ROW corridor as determined by measuring from the road center line to the tree's center. At least one-half of the circumference of the tree trunk must be in the ROW corridor. The road ROW width shall be determined before examining a tree by consulting the ROW width inventory list maintained by the city.
“STRUCTURAL DEFECT.” Any naturally occurring or secondary condition such as open cavities, weak branch attachments, cracks, splits or decayed wood in the trunk/crown/roots or a tree that may contribute to structural failure.
“REMOVAL.” The cutting of a tree near ground line which removes the majority of the tree's trunk and crown. The tree stump and roots may or may not be removed along with the trunk and crown.
“RIGHTS-OF-WAY or ROW.” A defined area of land, usually a linear strip, reserved for the passage of vehicles, sidewalks or the construction, maintenance and/or operation of various above-ground or underground utilities.
“ROOT.”
(1) Structural. The below ground portion of a tree that includes large, woody roots that anchor and support the trunk and crown. They are generally located within the upper 18 inches of soil and may extend from the trunk two to three times the width of the crown.
(2) Fibrous. The below ground portion of a tree that includes small, non-woody, fibrous "feeder" roots responsible for water and mineral uptake and gas exchange. They are generally located within the upper ten inches of soil and extend out from the trunk two to three times the width of the crown.
“TOPPING.” An outdated and inappropriate pruning technique which indiscriminately and severely removes live tree branches and/or portions of the trunk with cuts made between nodes; also known as "tipping", "heading" or "stubbing.”
“TREE.” A woody perennial, generally with a single trunk but sometimes having multiple trunks, with the potential to attain a mature size of at least four inches in trunk diameter at four and a half feet above the ground and a height of at least 15 feet. Tree may be described by the following height standards:
(1) Small. Less than 25 feet in height at maturity;
(2) Medium. Over 25 feet and less than 40 feet in height at maturity; or
(3) Large. At least 40 feet or more in height at maturity.
“TREE WELL.” A wall constructed around a tree to protect the trunk by maintaining the original grade between the trunk and wall when the grade is raised by filling the outside and behind/around the wall.
“TRUNK.” The main woody stem of a tree that connects the roots to the crown and which supports the crown. It functions in the transport of water, minerals and carbohydrates from the crown to the roots and the roots to the crown.
“URBAN FORESTER.” An employee of the city (under the supervision of the Public Works Director) whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, tree policy implementation, public outreach and education, the coordination of Arbor Day, the recertification of Tree City USA status and overall management and maintenance of public trees and associated vegetation within the city limits in cooperation with other city departments. The Urban Forester shall be a certified arborist who also has knowledge of and experience in community forestry principles and practices.
(Ord. 13-016, passed 8-13-13)