For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUSH/SHRUB. All other woody vegetation not considered trees.
CITY. The City of Tillamook.
DBH. Diameter of a tree at breast height.
FELL. To remove or sever a tree or to use any procedure which is to cause the death or other substantial destruction of the tree. FELL does not in any context include normal trimming or pruning.
ILLEGALLY REMOVED TREE. A tree removed without first obtaining City Council approval and a city permit.
IMMEDIATE DANGER OF COLLAPSE OF A TREE. A tree may already be leaning with the surrounding soil heaving, and/or there is a significant likelihood that the tree will topple or otherwise fail and cause damage to the surroundings. IMMEDIATE DANGER OF COLLAPSE does not include hazardous conditions that can be alleviated by pruning or treatment.
PARKING STRIP, PLANTER STRIP or TREE LAWN. The area between the street curb and sidewalk in the public right-of-way, utilized for landscaping and street tree planting.
PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL PATH. Generally concrete, but can also be gravel, asphalt and, in some cases, dirt or vegetation in non-improved areas.
POLLARD. A tree cut back to the trunk to promote the growth of a dense head of foliage.
SAFE PEDESTRIAN WAY. A travel path five feet wide, where possible, but not less than four feet wide when affected by other obstacles in addition to a tree; an eight-foot overhead clearance from the sidewalk to the lowest tree branches hanging over the travel path (seven-foot overhead clearance may be allowed when requiring an eight-foot clearance would require removing a substantial portion of the tree).
STREET. Includes land within the dedicated public right-of-way, including easements, sidewalks, tree lawn or tree well and roadway.
TREE. Any woody plant having a trunk six-caliper inches or larger in diameter at breast height (DBH). If a tree splits into multiple trunks above ground, but below four and one-half feet, the trunk is measured at its most narrow point beneath the split, and is considered one tree if greater than six inches DBH. Trees specifically planted and maintained as a hedge shall not be considered a TREE. Different classifications of TREES include the following.
(1) DEAD TREE. A tree is lifeless. Evidence of lifelessness may include unseasonable lack of foliage, brittle dry branches or lack of any growth during the growing season.
(2) HERITAGE TREE. A tree listed on the official city heritage tree list, adopted by the City Planning Commission.
(3) PARK OR MONUMENT TREE. A tree located in a public park or other area owned by the city having an individual name, and all other areas owned by the city, or to which the public has free access as a park.
(4) PRIVATE TREE. A tree located on private property other than a dedicated right-of-way or city utility easement or public parks and grounds.
(5) SIGNIFICANT TREE. A tree having a trunk 18-caliper inches DBH or larger in diameter.
(6) STREET TREE. A tree on land lying within a dedicated right-of-way along either side of a street, avenue or other way within a dedicated utility easement of the city.
(7) TREE CUTOUT or TREE WELL. The area between the street and a sidewalk in the public right-of-way, for street tree planting.
TREE REMOVAL. To cut down a tree, or remove 50% or more of the crown, trunk or root system of a tree; or to damage a tree so as to cause the tree to decline and/or die. REMOVAL includes topping. REMOVAL includes, but is not limited to, damage inflicted upon a root system by application of toxic substances, operation of equipment and vehicles, storage of materials, change of natural grade due to unapproved excavation or filling, or unapproved alteration of natural physical conditions. REMOVAL does not include normal trimming or pruning of trees.
TREE SIZE. Notwithstanding the above tree classifications, the size of a tree, though not specific, will be described as either:
(1) SMALL. Being less than 15 feet high, usually with small main branches that are one to three inches in diameter.
(2) LARGE. Being over 15 feet high, usually with main branches or limbs over three inches in diameter.
TREE TOPPING. The severe cutting back of a tree’s limbs to stubs three inches or larger in diameter within the tree’s crown to such a degree so as to remove the natural canopy and disfigure the tree. TOPPING does not include the practice of pollarding when conducted in accordance with the standards established by the International Society of Arboriculture.
(Prior Code, § 93.03) (Ord. 1266, passed 4-16-2012; Ord. 1303, passed 9-8-2015; Ord. 1327, passed 4-12-2017)