(a) Specifications for selecting, planting, and maintenance of street trees.
(1) Preferred tree species.
A. All plant materials used shall be selected from the official list published and revised by the Shade Tree Commission in the master shade tree plan. Only plant material grown in nurseries shall be procured for shade tree planting. Trees should be true to form and typical of the species.
B. The use of any tree other than those mentioned above shall require the approval of the Shade Tree Commission.
C. Not all trees on this list are suitable for all situations. The Shade Tree Commission shall determine suitability. Additionally, as new varieties are developed and existing ones improved, this list shall be amended.
(2) Tree specifications.
A. Each tree shall meet the Rules of Arbor Work, adopted by reference and made a part of these Codified Ordinances, as if fully set forth herein. The Shade Tree Commission may amend said rules when then-current arbor standards are revised.
B. As different trees require different soil conditions, it may be necessary to add amendments or replace existing soil prior to planting.
(b) Planting Locations. The actual location of each individual tree shall be determined upon due consideration of visibility, proximity of utility poles, overhead and guy wires, driveways, and underground utility installations. No landscaping, tree, or shrub shall be maintained in the vicinity of any corner, street, intersection, or accessway intersecting a public right-of-way that is an obstruction to visibility, interferes with the clear sight triangle requirements, extends into street corner visibility areas, or is a traffic hazard.
(1) Visibility at intersections. On a corner lot in any zone, a clear sight triangle shall be provided at all street and alley intersections. Within such triangles, no vision-obstructing object other than utility poles shall be permitted.
(2) Planting specifications.
A. Planting specifications shall conform to the Rules of Arbor Work, adopted by reference and made a part of these Codified Ordinances, as if fully set forth herein. The Shade Tree Commission may amend said rules as then-current arbor standards are revised.
B. Any nursery stock may be planted during any period of the year when the soil is frost-free.
C. If balled and burlapped, the twine covering the upper half of the ball shall be rolled back or cut away after the plant has been set. If stock is grown or wrapped in a non-biodegradable container, the container or wrap (i.e., plastic, treated burlap) shall be removed before planting.
D. The planting hole shall be backfilled three-quarter full with soil, followed by at least five gallons of water. When the water has been absorbed, the hole shall be filled with topsoil and tamped lightly to finished grade and followed with an additional five gallons of water. An area of no less than fifteen square feet shall remain open (free of bricks, concrete, asphalt, etc.), around the base of the tree unless otherwise approved by the Shade Tree Commission.
E. Upon completion of the transplanting operation, the landowner may apply three inches of bark mulch over the planting area to retain moisture and prohibit weed growth.
(Ord. 4820. Passed 2-28-01.)