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§ 94.01 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   LARGE TREES. Trees which by their nature attain heights greater than 45 feet at maturity.
   MEDIUM TREES. Trees which by their nature normally attain heights of from 25 feet to 45 feet at maturity.
   PARK TREES. Trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation in public parks and all areas owned by the city or to which the public has free access.
   SMALL TREES. Trees which, by their nature, normally attain heights greater than 25 feet at maturity.
   STREET TREES. Trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues, or ways within the city.
(Prior Code, § 8-401)
§ 94.02 SPECIES TO BE PLANTED.
   (A)   The following species of trees listed by common name, constitute the official street tree species for the city. No species other than these included in this list may be planted as street trees without written permission of the City Council.
 
Small Trees
Medium Trees
Large Trees
Amur Maple
Eastern Crabapple
Hawthorns
Lilac Japanese Tree
Pear
Plum
Redbud
Service Berry
Aspen
Birch
Ginkgo
Littleleaf Linden
Sweetgum
 
American Pagodatree
Bur Oak
Coffeetree
Debra Maple
Hackberry
Honeylocust
Linden
Northern Red
Red Maple
Sugar Maple
Swamp White Oak
Sycamore
 
   (B)   The City Council shall review and approve all tree planting plans for park trees, as defined in § 94.01.
(Prior Code, § 8-407)
§ 94.03 SPACING AND DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS.
   (A)   Spacing. The spacing of street trees and park trees will be in accordance with the three species size classes listed in §§ 94.01 and 94.02, and no trees may be planted closer together than the following, except in special plantings approved by the City Council:
      (1)   Small trees: 30 feet;
      (2)   Medium trees: 40 feet; and
      (3)   Large trees: 50 feet.
(Prior Code, § 8-408)
   (B)   Distance from curb and sidewalk.
      (1)   The distance trees may be planted from curbs or curb lines and sidewalks will be in accordance with the tree species size classes listed in §§ 94.01 and 94.02, and no trees may be planted closer to any curb or sidewalk than the following:
         (a)   Small trees: two feet;
         (b)   Medium trees: three feet; and
         (c)   Large trees: four feet.
      (2)   Street trees shall be centered between the curb and sidewalk or aligned with existing street trees; except in special situations approved by the City Council. In areas with no curbs or sidewalks, or less than four feet between the curb and sidewalk, no street trees shall be planted without written permission from the City Council.
(Prior Code, § 8-409)
   (C)   Distance from street intersections, driveways and alleys. No street tree or park tree shall be planted within 35 feet of any street intersection measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curb lines or within 15 feet of any driveway or alley.
(Prior Code, § 8-410)
   (D)   Distance from utility lines. No street trees or park trees other than those species listed as small trees in § 94.02, or species specifically approved by the City Council, may be planted under or within ten lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within five lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility line, wire, or main. No street tree shall be planted within ten feet of any fireplug.
(Prior Code, § 8-411) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 94.04 CARE AND REMOVAL.
   (A)   The city shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain, and remove street trees or park trees within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares, and public grounds as may be necessary to ensure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.
   (B)   The City Council may remove or cause or order to be removed any street tree or park tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which, by reason of its nature, is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements, or is infected with any injurious fungus, insect, or other pest.
   (C)   No person or property owner shall remove any live street tree or park tree for any reason without written permission of the City Council. Utility personnel may remove trees or parts thereof which are injurious to their utility lines at their expense upon obtaining permission for such removal or trimming from the City Council. This section does not prohibit the planting of street trees by abutting property owners providing that the selection and location of said trees is in accordance with § 94.03.
(Prior Code, § 8-412) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 94.05 TOPPING.
   It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or city 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 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 exempted from this chapter at the determination of the City Council.
(Prior Code, § 8-413) Penalty, see § 10.99
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