As a normal practice, no person, firm or City department shall top any street or park tree or other tree in public areas. "Topping" means 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 or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this section at the determination of the Superintendent.
(Ord. 15-143. Passed 10-26-15.)