There is hereby adopted a Street Tree Policy as follows:
(a) The street tree program of the Village shall be under the direction of the Tree Removal and Planting Committee of Council.
(b) The Committee shall from time to time review its street tree program.
(c) The Committee shall direct the planting and care of trees and shrubs on all Village property, including street and alley rights of way.
(d) The planting of trees and shrubs on Village street rights of way shall not be permitted if the street right of way is less than fifty feet in width.
(e) No persons shall plant any trees or shrubs on any public right of way unless he has first obtained a permit from the Committee.
(f) The Committee shall control the type, species and location of the tree or shrub to be planted.
(g) Upon request the Committee will assist residents with the selection of trees or shrubs for planting on private property by advising the size, type and species of tree or shrubs which would be most suitable for the location.
Small trees: Crabapple, flowering; Pear, Bradford; Peach, flowering; Plum, Purpleleaf; Hawthorn.
Medium trees: Ash, Autumn Purple; Ash, White; Japanese Pagoda; Hornbean, European; Linden, Redmond; Linden, Crimean.
Large trees: Maple, Sugar; Maple, Norway: Ginkgo; Locust, Honey (Thornless); London Plain; Oak, Red or White; Sweetgum, American;.
Prohibited trees: Poplar, willow, Catalpa, Black Walnut, Mullberry, Box Elder, Nut Trees, Silver maple, Chinese Elm, Tree of Heaven.
(h) The distance trees may be planted from curbs or curblines and sidewalks will be in accordance with the three species size classes listed in subsection (g) hereof and no trees may be planted closer to any curb or sidewalk than the following, two feet or where there are existing water or sewer lines.
(i) Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right of way within the Village shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk. Such owners shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The Village shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a street light or interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign. Pruning shall be done by such owners at their own expense within sixty days of service of notice. In the event of failure of owners to comply with such provisions, the Village shall have the authority to prune and charge the cost to the property owner. Tree may also be pruned for shaping purposes.
(j) After a tree standing within the Village street right of way is removed at the direction of the Village for street improvement purposes, the Village will at the abutting owner's request, plant at a reasonable location on his property a tree to replace the one removed. The owner may select a type of tree to be planted by the Village from a selection of four types. After planting the Village will no longer be responsible for the care or replacement of the tree.
(k) The care and maintenance of all existing trees or shrubs on Village street rights of way is the sole responsibility of the Village. No one shall be permitted to trim or remove any trees on Village street rights of way without first obtaining written approval of the Committee.
(l) Whoever violates this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 1983-12. Passed 8-22-83.)