The Director is authorized to inspect any tree within the city reported to be or supposed to be infected with the Dutch Elm disease or the virus disease Phloem Necrosis, commonly known as Elm Blight. If upon such inspection the Director determines that such tree is infected with either of said diseases, he shall, if the tree is in any public street, ground or place within the city, immediately remove and burn the same in such manner as to prevent as fully as possible the spread of such disease. If such tree is located on private property, said Director shall immediately serve upon the owner of such property a written notice that such tree is so infected and that the same must be removed and burned under the supervision of the Director within 30 days of the service of said notice. If such owner cannot be found, a copy of said notice shall be posted upon said infected tree. If said tree is not so removed and burned within 30 days after the service or posting of said notice, the director shall cause said tree to be so removed and burned. The cost of said removal and burning shall be deemed a lien against said property. The cost shall be certified to the City Treasurer by the Director and shall be included in the next tax bill rendered to the owner unless paid prior thereto, and shall be collected in the same manner as over taxes against such property.
(‘68 Code, § 7-608) (Ord. 301, passed 4-1-68)