(a) General Standards. Prior to major trimming activity involving a public tree or terrace tree, the permit requirements of Section 6-4-7(a) shall be complied with. Any person growing a tree, plant or shrub on any private property abutting on public streets or public property shall:
(1) Trim them so as not to be a hazard to persons using the streets or to interfere with the proper lighting of the streets.
(2) Treat or remove any tree, plant or shrub which the Village Forester shall determine is diseased or insect-ridden or a hazard to persons using the streets.
(3) Remove and refrain from planting any tree, plant or shrub designated by the Village or the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WisDATCP) and published in its regulations to be a host or carrier of a dangerous plant disease or insect pest.
(b) Terrace Work by Village. Owners of any property may arrange to have any terrace or utility easement tree, plant or shrub sprayed, trimmed or removed by the Village of Edgar and pay for such service at the rates established by the Village Board.
(c) Trimming.
(1) Trees and shrubs standing in or upon any terrace, public area or upon any private premises adjacent to any public right-of-way or public areas shall be kept trimmed by their owner (or adjacent property owner) so that the lowest branches projecting over the public street or alley provide a clearance of not less than fourteen (14) feet. The Village Forester may waive the provisions of this Section for newly planted trees if he/she determines that they do not interfere with public travel, obstruct the light of any street light or endanger public safety.
(2) The necessity of the pruning may be determined by the Village Forester.
(3) Clearance from sidewalk to lower branches shall not be less than seven (7) feet. All trees standing upon private property in the Village, the branches of which extend over the line of the street, shall be trimmed so that no branch shall grow or hang over the line of the sidewalk lower than seven (7) feet above the level of the sidewalk. No tree shall be permitted to grow in such a manner as to obstruct the proper diffusion of light from any public lamp.
(4) It shall be avoided as a normal practice for any person, firm or Village department to top any public tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this Chapter if so determined first by the Village Forester. Trimming or pruning of more than two-thirds (2/3) of the crown shall be considered to be a major alteration and shall require authorization from the Village Forester.
(d) Tree Ownership Disputes. When ownership of a tree is disputed, the property owner must establish where the property line is before any work commences.
(e) Removal Standards. In cutting down trees located in public and terrace areas, the tree must be removed with the root stump grubbed out, or ground out to a depth of at least nine (9) inches below grade measured in a straight line with the normal grade of sidewalk to top of nine (9) inches below grade measured as a straight line, normal grade of sidewalk to top of curb. All wood and debris must be removed from the street prior to the end of each working day and all holes shall be filled to normal grade level with topsoil as soon as practicable. The abutting property owner shall have a right of first refusal to keep the wood, provided such wood is not diseased.