(A) The city will perform all trimming of boulevard trees, except the city's public utilities may do such trimming necessary to protect their electrical lines, or residents, through a permit process, may contract with a tree service licensed with the city to trim an adjacent boulevard tree. The property owner shall bear the entire cost of tree trimming when using a contracted for tree service.
(B) Where city gives permission, a limb or bough may be properly pruned by abutting property owner.
(C) (1) 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.
(2) TOPPING is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree.
(3) (a) Any person or firm which has received approval for the trimming of trees on public property or right-of-way shall use trimming practices set forth in the city's tree trimming policy manual in effect at the time of the approval.
(b) Said manual is available at no charge at the City Street Division Office.
(4) 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 subchapter at the determination of the City Forester, as provided in § 97.22(A), or his or her designee.
(D) When any tree within a public right-of-way creates a hazard for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, said tree will be pruned by the city, at the city's expense.
(E) When any tree located on private property creates an imminent and immediate danger or hazard to the general public, and upon notice to the city by the property owner or other person, said tree will be pruned, trimmed or removed by the city, at the city's expense.
(1992 Code, § 660:10) (Ord. 1058, passed 4-7-1992; Ord. 1232, passed 5-16-2000; Ord. 1330, passed 11-5-2003; Ord. 1556, passed 1-3-2017) Penalty, see § 97.99