(a) Generally. Trees, plants, shrubbery or vines on public property can help provide beauty and shade, lessen surrounding noise, prevent erosion, remove dust, ash, pollen and smoke from the air, give oxygen to the air, and absorb carbon dioxide produced from the combustion of various fuels. Trees, plants, shrubbery or vines planted or growing upon public ways, streets or alleys can create potential safety, health and welfare hazards for the public, so they must be properly managed. The responsibility for care of the trees, plants, shrubbery or vines on public property is the duty of the Director of Public Service.
(b) Harming a Tree or Plant. No person shall plant, remove, destroy, cut, prune, fertilize, treat, break, climb, injure or spray any tree, plant, shrubbery or vine within this City, or authorize or procure a person to do so, without the permission of the property owner or on any public grounds without written permission from the Director of Public Service. No person shall remove or tamper with a device placed for the protection of a tree, or attach a rope, wire, chain, sign or other device to such tree or to a device placed for the protection of the tree, or authorize or cause the same to be done, without the permission of the property owner or on any public grounds without written permission from the Director.
(Ord. 77-2005. Passed 11-28-05.)