It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or city department to top 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 (3) inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree 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 obstruction where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this section at the determination of the Tree Board or the Community Forest Manager. (Ord. No. 294, 8/4/87)