The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of both the public citizenry and the trees within the city of Havre. This chapter establishes policies necessary to ensure the city will continue to realize the benefits provided by its urban forest. This chapter is intended to establish just and fair standards and regulations to control planting, planning, maintenance, removal, and protection of trees, shrubs, bushes, and other woody vegetation, within the public right of way and public place. The provisions of this chapter are enacted to:
(A) Eliminate and guard against dangerous conditions which may result in injury to persons using public areas within the city;
(B) Prevent damage to public water and sewer lines, streets, sidewalks or other public properties;
(C) Maintain city trees in a healthy and nonhazardous condition through approved and recognized arboricultural practices and standards;
(D) Promote and enhance the natural beauty of the city;
(E) Make clear the parties responsible for tree issues in the community;
(F) Guard all trees in the city against the spread of disease or pests;
(G) Establish and maintain the maximum sustainable amount of tree cover on public and private lands within the city; and
(H) Establish and maintain appropriate diversity in tree species and age classes to provide a stable and sustainable urban forest. (Ord. 873, 11-1-2010)