For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANSI. American National Standards Institute. The developed controlling professional specifications and standards governing safe and appropriate horticultural practices to be employed within the City, utilizing the most current editions of standards for tree care operations, including, but not limited to ANSI Chapters A300 concerning tree, shrub and other woody plant management; Z133. 1 concerning safety requirements for arboricultural operations; and, Z760.1 concerning nursery stock, a copy of which shall be on file with the City Clerk.
BAMBOO. Any species commonly known as and classified as such, either "running" or "clumping" in nature.
BRANCH. A secondary shoot or stem arising from one of the main axes (i.e. trunk or leader) of a tree, or other vegetation.
CALIPER. The diameter of a tree trunk measured at 6 inches above the ground up to and including 4 inches caliper size, and 12 inches above the ground for larger trees. Used for nursery stock and newly planted trees and not for established trees.
CANOPY (SHADE) TREE. A large or medium tree with a crown size and shape that will typically provide significant shade and beneficial effects on temperature, air quality, water quality and other environmental conditions, at maturity.
CITY ARBORIST. A person certified by the International Society of Arboriculture possessing the technical competence through experience and related training to provide for or supervise the management of trees, shrubs or other vegetation in residential, commercial, and public landscapes. The City may designate or contract with any person to act in this capacity.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE. A circle on the ground corresponding to the dripline of a tree.
CROWN. The leaves and branches of a tree, shrub or other vegetation; the upper portion of a tree from the lowest branch of the trunk to the top.
CROWN-SPREAD. The distance between a tree trunk and the outermost edge of the tree canopy or branch spread.
DECAY. Degradation of woody tissue caused by biological organisms.
DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT (DBH). The diameter of the trunk of a tree, as measured 4.5 feet above ground level for trees over 12 inches at that point. For trees with co-dominant (forked) stems, the trunk as measured below the fork and above the trunk flare, at the point of the smallest diameter. For multi-stemmed trees, the diameter as considered to be the sum of the diameters of all the stems that contribute significantly to the crown.
DIRECTOR. The Director of the Community Services Department or his/her designee.
DISEASED TREE. Any tree with one or more significant structural defects or an infection, infestation or decay, or high probability thereof, as determined by an arborist making it subject to a high probability of failure or decline.
DRIPLINE. A line extending down to the ground from the greatest horizontal extent of a tree's branches, more or less forming a cylinder around the tree.
EMERGENCY UTILITY WORK. Any sudden and unanticipated disruption or loss of existing utility service, not to include routine maintenance, planned repairs, service improvements or upgrades to any transmission or distribution system or residential, commercial or governmental facility.
HAZARD/RISK TREE. A tree, or any part thereof, that is at risk for failure and threatens the health, safety or general welfare of persons or property.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE (ISA). A worldwide professional organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation for trees and to promoting research, technology and the professional practice of arboriculture.
INVASIVE PLANTS. Vegetation which, by its nature, grows beyond the property of its owner, and causes a neighboring property owner potential
hardship due to the vegetation being overly competitive, poisonous, or illegal by state statute, is deemed to be "invasive" for the purposes of this chapter.
PERSON. Any natural person, business, partnership, corporation, legal entity or governmental entity or agency.
PROPERTY OWNER. The record owner or contract purchaser of any parcel of real estate.
PRUNING. Removal of tree or woody plant parts.
PUBLIC SIDEWALKS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY. Means and includes all sidewalks, highways, streets, and other city owned or controlled real property or easements, including tree wells and tree lawns which are owned or controlled by the City including the areas above and below such easements and which are reserved or used for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
PUBLIC TREE. Any tree whose trunk is growing wholly or partially within any public rights- of-way or upon land owned or controlled by the City.
SHRUBS AND OTHER VEGETATION. All vegetation, woody or otherwise, except lawn, ornamental grasses and perennials.
TOPPING( HEADING, LOPPING, TIPPING). An improper method of pruning that involves cutting a currently growing or one-year-old shoot back to a bud, or cutting an older branch or stem back to a stub or lateral branch not sufficiently large enough to assume a terminal role.
TREE. A woody perennial plant that has the potential to attain a height of 15 feet or greater and a DBH of 3 inches or greater, including all portions thereof both above and below ground.
TREE CANOPY COVER. The area of land covered by trees in full bloom of leaves when viewed from above.
TREE WELLS AND TREE LAWNS. The area within the improved public rights-of-way located between the curb line of the street and the nearest edge of any sidewalk.
TRUNK. The main stem(s) of a tree, located above ground, extending up from the root system and supporting the crown.
WOUND. The opening that is created any time the tree's protective bark covering is penetrated, cut or removed, injuring or destroying living tissue.
(Ord. O-2019-011, passed 7-22-2019)