The department shall have the right to plant, trim, spray, preserve and remove trees, plant and shrubs within the lines of all trees, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to ensure safety or to preserve the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds. The director may remove or cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which is of a prohibited species or is affected with any injurious disease, fungus, insect or other pest. Whenever the department shall remove any tree, plant or shrub solely for the purpose of constructing any public work, the director shall, if practicable, replace the same at public expense at some nearby location by planting another tree, plant or shrub, not necessarily of the same type.
(1993 Code, § 70-31)