It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or entity, with the exception of the Public Works Department, to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on public property. TOPPING is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree’s crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempt from this section at the determination of the City Tree Board. It is unlawful for any person to prune any tree on city property, city rights-of-way or city parks without the permission of the Tree Board and/or Public Works Department.
(Ord. 15-95, passed 10-2-1995)