(A) The city shall maintain an extensive list of desirable shade or overstory trees, desirable ornamental or understory trees and desirable evergreen trees for planting in public areas. Each list will provide four recommended classes of trees, with Class I being the most desirable and Class IV the least desirable. The purpose of this listing will be to maintain diversity in the total tree population. The lists shall be available to residents of the city upon request to aid in the selection of trees for private and public properties. The list of recommended and desirable trees shall be updated periodically to reflect new developments or species that will affect the population of the community forest. This list shall be set by resolution.
(B) Subsequent to the enactment of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to plant on city right-of-way any Cottonwood (except seedless), Pin Oak, Silver Maple, Siberian Elm, Black Locust, Hawthorn or White Poplar. Tree inventories show an overabundance of these tree species. Silver Maple and Siberian Elm are weak wooded and subject to wind and ice damage. Siberian Elm attract elm leaf beetles. Pin Oak is not adapted to the city’s soil type and tends to be chlorotic and weak. Black Locust propagates suckers and is thorny. Seeded Cottonwood are a nuisance because of the litter. White Poplar attract bores and become weak and are short lived. Due to the reasons stated above, it is suggested that these trees not be planted on private property. An exemption can be made for Quail Run and Van Berg Golf Courses and some areas of the entire park system as determined by the Park Superintendent.
(C) Trees existing on public or private property prior to enactment of this chapter shall not be subject to removal under the provisions of this section.
(Prior Code, § 96.02) (Ord. 99-03, passed 2-1-1999; Ord. 01-25, passed 4-2-2001) Penalty, see § 10.99