The City Council determines that the health of the elm and oak trees within the municipal limits is threatened by fatal diseases known as Dutch elm and oak wilt diseases, and other trees may be threatened by other epidemic diseases of shade trees. It further determines that the loss of elm, oak and other trees growing upon public and private property would substantially depreciate the value of property within the city and impair the safety, good order, general welfare and convenience of control and prevent the spread of those diseases and this chapter is enacted for that purpose.
(2009 Code, § 802.01)