§ 99.31 RULE 1.5 TREE REMOVAL.
   (A)   The city will remove trees at its expense and when funds are available from city-owned property in accordance with the following priority list.
   (B)   Any reason for tree removal which is not included in the priority system will be considered separately and rated in importance with the existing priority system. Trees will be removed according to the priority system to include as many as can be removed under the existing budget for tree removal.
      (1)   Priority No. 1. Removal of dangerous trees. Includes any tree which is in immediate danger of loss of limbs or total collapse of the tree, as determined by the arborist.
      (2)   Priority No. 2. Removal of 100% dead trees. Removal of any trees in which the crown area is 100% dead or missing, but is not considered dangerous. This priority also includes trees which are affected by an epizootic disease.
      (3)   Priority No. 3. Removal of 75% dead trees. Includes trees which have 75% of the crown dead or missing.
      (4)   Priority No. 4. Removal of 50% dead trees. Includes trees which have 50% of the crown area dead or missing, except where trimming will produce a suitable shaped tree.
      (5)   Priority No. 5. Removal of female Box Elder and Elm. Includes all female Box Elder, especially if removal is requested by the property owner. Includes all American Elm trees that have 25% of the crown dead and shows definite signs of Dutch Elm Disease or Elm Phloem Necrosis.
      (6)   Priority No. 6. Removal for driveway improvements. Includes trees which completely block a proposed driveway or interfere with the installation or improvement of a driveway, upon request of owner of adjacent property.
      (7)   Priority No. 7. Removal for driveway impairment. Includes trees which impair movement of vehicles in and out of a driveway.
      (8)   Priority No. 8. Removal for sidewalk raising. Includes trees which have roots that are raising the adjacent sidewalk and sidewalk repair is unlikely to correct the problem.
      (9)   Priority No. 9. Removal for sewer trouble. Includes trees which have roots that plug sewers.
      (10)   Priority No. 10. Removal for heavy seeding. Includes trees which have undesirable heavy seeding upon request of the owner of adjacent property.
      (11)   Priority No. 11. Removal for sidewalk raising. Includes trees which:
         (a)   Have a trunk that blocks traffic visibility.
         (b)   Have a root area which interferes with the curb and sidewalk, and have roots which come to the surface.
         (c)   Interfere with fire hydrants, traffic-control, or other utilities.
(Ord. 545, passed 3-6-78) Penalty, see § 99.99