For purposes of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Caliper" means the trunk diameter measured at six inches above the ground for trees up to four inches in diameter and twelve inches above the ground for trees over four inches in diameter.
(b) "Critical root zone" means the rooting area in which any soil disturbing activities could cause tree decline or death. The diameter of the critical root zone is equal to the tree height times 0.4. The area is commonly referred to as the "dripline".
(c) "Interior landscaping" means the use of landscape materials within the innermost boundaries of a landscape buffer zone.
(d) "Landscape buffer zone" means the area adjacent to any vehicular use area or along common boundaries.
(e) "Large tree" means any tree normally attaining a mature height of over fifty feet.
(f) "Major tree" means any tree or shrub that is three inches or greater in caliper. If the plant is multi-stemmed, the caliper of all stems shall be added and the average caliper shall be used.
(g) "Medium tree" means any tree species that normally attains a mature height of between twenty-five feet and fifty feet.
(h) "Minor tree" means any tree or shrub that is less than three inches in caliper. If the plant is multi-stemmed, the caliper of all stems shall be added and the average caliper shall be used.
(i) "Opacity" means the use of landscape materials to visually screen adjacent property, starting from the established grade to a specifically required vertical height, and the degree to which a wall, fence or vegetation is impenetrable to light.
(j) "Perimeter landscaping" means the use of landscape materials within a landscape buffer zone to achieve the required opacity.
(k) "Small or ornamental tree" means any tree that normally attains a mature height of under twenty-five feet.
(l) "Street tree" means any tree planted in the tree lawn.
(m) "Top" means to indiscriminately remove plant parts in such a way as to destroy the natural defense system, shape and beauty of trees.
(n) "Tree lawn" means the part of a street not covered by paving, lying between the property line and the curb.
(Ord. 195-96. Passed 11-7-96.)