For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CONTIGUOUS RESIDENTIAL LOTS. Three or more adjoining lots.
DBH or DIAMETER-AT-BREAST-HEIGHT (CALIPER). Tree trunk diameter measured in inches at a height of four and one-half feet above the ground. If a tree splits into multiple trunks below four and one-half feet, the tree shall be measured in two places, the narrowest point beneath the split and one-half the sum of the calipers of the trunks immediately above the split. Whichever is the greater measurement is to be the measurement applied. If there is no single trunk above ground level to measure, the measurement shall be the sum of the main trunk, plus one-half of all other branches of the calipers of the various trunks at breast height.
DRIPLINE. A vertical line run through the outermost portion of the canopy of a tree and extending to the ground.
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY. The city, independent school districts, state and county property; property owned by the United States of America or other federal agencies. Examples of this would include City Hall, public parks, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ property, state ROW, libraries, fire stations, water tower sites or similar properties.
HERITAGE TREES. Trees having a 24-inch DBH and not belonging to the unauthorized species list.
MITIGATION. Tree replacement with an authorized species.
MULTI-TRUNK TREE. A tree with more than one trunk arising at or near the ground.
PERVIOUS. Water will permeate the surface.
PROTECTED TREES. Trees having a six-inch DBH and not belonging to the unauthorized species list.
PROTECTIVE FENCING. Snow fencing, chainlink fence, barbed-wire fence, orange vinyl construction fencing or other similar fencing with a four-foot approximate height.
ROOT PROTECTION ZONE (RPZ). The area of undisturbed natural soil around a tree defined by a concentric circle with a radius equal to the distance from the trunk to the outermost portion of the dripline. As a practical matter, this is the acute portion of the tree’s root system. Approximately 90% of the tree’s root mass occurs within the top three feet of the soil and most of the fine feeder roots which collect moisture and nutrients are located in the top six inches of the soil. Typically, a tree’s root system extends as much as two to three times the distance from the trunk to the dripline.
TREE AFFIDAVIT. An affirmation by the developer/landowner that there are not heritage or protected trees in a proposed development or subdivision.
TREE CROWN. Parts of the tree above the trunk including leaves, branches, limbs and scaffold: the uppermost part of the tree.
TREE PRESERVATION/REMOVAL PERMIT. The permit required when heritage/protected trees are to be removed.
(Ord. 12-1058, passed 7-19-2012)