23.19.02: DEFINITIONS:
   CERTIFIED ARBORIST: An individual who has been tested by, and is currently certified as an "arborist," by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
   DAMAGE: Any action taken which causes death or irreversible damage, injury, or disfigurement to a tree. This includes, but is not limited to, severe pruning, topping, poisoning, drilling, under or over watering or improperly transplanting. Confirmation of death or irreversible damage shall be determined by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee.
   DEAD TREE: A tree that is no longer alive or that has been damaged so extensively that it cannot recover or is in an advanced state of decline (where an insufficient amount of live tissue, green leaves, limbs or branches, exists to sustain life) and has been determined to be in such condition by a certified arborist.
ESTABLISHED TREE: A tree that is not a heritage tree or an oak tree, that is at least fifteen feet (15') in height, and/or whose trunk diameter is at least six inches (6") at its widest point, when measured at a point four and one-half feet (4.5') above natural grade.
HAZARD OR HAZARDOUS: A potential source of imminent harm or danger to a person or property.
HEDGE: A row of planted trees, shrubs or other vegetation that forms a physical boundary or barrier, or otherwise obscures visibility into or onto the property upon which it is located.
HERITAGE TREE: A tree that is at least fifteen feet (15') in height, and/or whose trunk diameter is at least four inches (4") at its widest point, when measured at a point four and one-half feet (4.5') above natural grade, and is one of the following: Platanus racemosa (Western Sycamore), Juglans californica (California Black Walnut), Sambucus nigra (Elder), Sambucus Mexicana (Mexican Elderberry), Aesculus californica (California Buckeye), Salix lasiolepis (Arroyo Willow), Populus fremontii (Fremont Cottonwood), Alnus rhombifolia (White Alder), Umbellularia californica (California Bay Laurel), Populus trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood), Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair), Cedrus deodora (Deodar Cedar), Pinus canariensis (Canary Island Pine), Pinus halepensis (Aleppo Pine), Pinus pinea (Stone Pine), Pinus thunbergiana (Black Pine), Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood), Taxodium mucronatum (Montezuma Cypress), Calocedrus decurrens (California Cedar), Cupressus sempervirens (Mediterranean Cypress), Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine), Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia), Magnolia xsoulangeana (Chinese Magnolia),Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor), Persea Americana (Avocado), Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum), Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm), Ficus microcarpa (Chinese banyan), Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak), Quercus engelmannii (Engelmann or Pasadena Oak), Quercus ilex (Holly Oak), Quercus lobata (Valley Oak), Quercus suber (Cork Oak), Brachychiton discolor (Lacebark), Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong), Chorisia speciose (Silk Floss Tree), Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree), Prunus caroliniana (Carolina Cherry-Laurel), Pyrus kawakamii (Evergreen Pear), Cassia spp (Golden Shower Tree), Ceratonia silique (Carob), Lagerstroemia indica (Crepe Myrtle), Callistemon spp (Bottlebrush), Eucalyptus citriodora (Lemon-Scented Gum), Melaleauca quinquenervia (Paper Bark Tea Tree), Grevillea robusta (Southern Silky Oak), Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Carrotwood), Koelreuteria spp (Chinese Flame Tree), Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree), Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange), Fraxinus uhdei (Shamel Ash), Olea europaea (Olive Tree), Jacaranda mimosifloria (Blue Jacaranda), Tabebuia spp (Tabebuia), Brahea edulis (Guadalupe Palm), Butia capitate (Jelly Palm), Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm), Syagrus romanzoffianam (Queen Palm), Washingtonia filifera (California Palm), Washington robusta (Mexican Fan Palm), Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedar),and Cedrus atlantica (Blue Atlas).
   IRREVERSIBLE: Any damage to the structure, shape or health of a tree from which the tree is unable to substantially recover within a three (3) year period, as determined by the Director of Community Development or his or her designee.
   MULTI-TRUNK: Any tree with multiple trunks attributed to a single plant. The diameter of each trunk shall be measured at its widest point, when measured at a point four and one-half feet (4.5') feet above natural grade, and the combined trunk diameters shall be used to determine the tree's size for the purposes of this section.
   OAK TREE: A tree that is at least fifteen feet (15') in height, and/or whose trunk diameter is at least four inches (4") at its widest point, when measured at a point four and one-half feet (4.5') above natural grade, and is of the genus Quercus, including, but not limited to, Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak), Quercus dumosa (coastal scrub oak), Quercus engelmannii (engelmann oak), Quercus berberidifolia (scrub oak), Quercus lobata (valley oak), and Quercus virginiana (southern live oak).
   SEVERELY PRUNE: To remove foliage or branches from a tree in a manner that causes irreversible injury to the shape, health or natural growth of the tree, or that irreversibly disfigures or kills the tree. Confirmation of severe pruning shall be determined by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee.
   TOP: To severely cut back the limbs within a tree's crown(s) to stubs larger than three inches (3") in diameter, to such degree so as to remove the normal canopy, or irreversibly disfigure or kill the tree. Confirmation of topping shall be determined by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee.
   TRANSPLANT: To relocate a tree and its root system from its original location and replant the tree in a proper manner at another location that does not harm the health or vigor of the tree.
   TREE: A perennial plant having a permanent, woody, self-supporting main stem or trunk(s) growing to a considerable height, regardless of whether it is commonly known as a "tree" or "shrub."
   TREE APPRAISAL: A method of determining the monetary value of a tree as it relates to the real estate value of the property upon which it is located and upon the surrounding neighborhood or community. When required, a certified arborist shall appraise a tree's basic value by its condition, location and species using the most recent edition of the ISA Guide for Plant Appraisal.
   TREE HEIGHT: Tree height shall be measured from the natural grade to the upper most foliage of the canopy.
   TREE TRIMMING OR TREE PRUNING: A common tree maintenance procedure that is required to ensure the ongoing health, safety and attractive condition of the tree. Tree trimming may include specific pruning types such as cleaning, thinning, crown raising and reduction. Tree trimming shall follow the tree pruning techniques established by the ISA for "Pruning Mature Trees."
   TREE RESTORATION PLAN: A plan prepared by a certified arborist that outlines measures to restore the natural condition of one or more trees and the tree canopy on the property where the trees are located. Such plan shall take into account the building area or building footprint, other existing trees and landscaping, utility or power lines and appropriate tree selection methods as described by ISA guidelines.
   TREE PROTECTION PLAN: A plan prepared by a certified arborist that outlines measures to protect and preserve trees in connection with a construction project. This plan shall include requirements for preconstruction treatments during demolitions and/or construction; establishment of a tree protection zone for each tree that is to be retained; establishment of a tree monitoring and inspection schedule, and provide for continued maintenance of trees after construction.
(Ord. O-20-1369, 2-10-2021)