It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or city department to top or significantly disfigure any street tree, park tree, or other tree on public property. Topping is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes or certain trees under utility wires and other obstructions where alternative pruning practices are impractical may be exempt from this chapter by written decision of the Forestation Board. No person shall, with respect to any street tree, park tree or other tree on public property, intentionally damage, cut, carve, attach any rope, wire, nails, advertising posters, or other contrivance to said trees; allow any gaseous, liquid, chemical, or solid substance which is harmful to trees to come in contact with said trees or the base of said trees; or set fire or permit fire to burn when such fire or heat from fire will injure any portion of said trees.
(Ord. 484-2007, passed 12-10-07)