It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or city department to top any street tree or park tree. Topping, rounding off, or pollarding is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so 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 obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this chapter at the determination of the Tree Board. Said authorization may be delegated by the Tree Board to the Parks and Recreation Director.
(Ord. 1988, passed 12-27-07)