(A) (1) Pruning newly planted trees shall consist of removing dead, broken, or injured branches and the suppression of rank, uneven growth that affects form. Water sprouts shall be removed when they reach the diameter of a pencil.
(2) Pruning shall be practiced as often thereafter as needed to assure sturdy crotch development.
(3) Tree crowns should be elevated as growth characteristics and location dictate. Newly planted trees need not have lower branches removed until they are well established.
(B) (1) No topping or dehorning of trees shall be permitted, except by written permission of the Village Maintenance Supervisor. Proper cabling and bracing shall be substituted for this practice wherever possible.
(2) All large, established trees shall be pruned to the following height to allow free passage of pedestrians and vehicular traffic: at least seven feet over sidewalks and a minimum clearance of 14 feet over all streets.
(3) It shall be the policy of the Village Maintenance Supervisor to cooperate with the municipal or utility lighting engineer, and vice versa, in the placement and selection of lighting standards and the development of a system of tree pruning that will give effective street illumination.
(4) All cuts shall be made with a saw or pruner and only at the nodes or crotches. No stubs shall be left. No spurs or climbing irons shall be used in the trees, except when trees are to be removed.
(5) All dead branches shall be removed; branches that cross or rub should be pruned to eliminate the problem.
(6) All wounds over three inches in diameter shall be treated with a suitable tree wound dressing.
(7) To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, all pruning tools must be disinfected before being used on a new tree.
(8) Whenever streets are to be blocked off to public service, all police and fire departments shall be notified of the location and length of time the street will be blocked. Notifications shall be given these departments upon the removal of such barriers or if such barriers are to remain longer than originally expected.
(9) To protect the public from danger, suitable street and sidewalk barriers, highway cones, or signs shall be used when pruning a tree. Signals, flares, or flasher lights shall be placed on all barriers or obstructions remaining in the street after dark.
(10) The stumps of all removed trees shall be cut to at least six inches below the ground level and the soil cavity shall be filled with soil and be leveled.
(Ord. 96-2, passed 4-2-1996) Penalty, see § 92.99