For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. The acting Public Works Director or her or his designee shall be responsible for the administration of the provisions of this chapter.
CALIPER. Diameter measurement of the trunk taken 6 inches above ground level for trees up to and including 4-inch-caliper size. Measurements shall be taken 12 inches above the ground for larger tree.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE. That area of tree roots around the tree measured to be no less than 1.5 feet in radius for every inch of trunk diameter measured 4 feet above the ground.
DISEASED TREE. A process in which fungi, bacteria, mycoplasms, and viruses are able to invade and infect trees causing poor growth and weak appearance, disruption of plant processes, distortion of certain tree parts and strain or death of the tree.
DBH (DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT). The diameter of a tree 4-1/2 feet above the average ground level.
GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY. Property owned by the federal, state or county governments but is located in the town. For the purposes of this chapter government/institutional property specifically excludes property owned by the Town of Wilkesboro.
HISTORIC TREE. A tree that has been specifically designated by the Town of Wilkesboro Council as historic.
LARGE MATURING TREE. Any tree whose height exceeds 35 feet at maturity.
MAINTENANCE. Proper cultural practices including pruning, fertilization, pest management, and root system protection. The standards of MAINTENANCE are those published by the National Arborists Association.
PARK/PUBLIC TREES. Trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks and on public property at public facilities, and all area owned by the town.
PAVED AREA. Any ground surface covered with concrete, asphalt, stone, compacted gravel, brick or other paving material.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR. The head of the Town of Wilkesboro Planning Department and person charged with directing the Town Tree Board.
PRESERVATION. Maintaining a stable environment among mature trees is critical in delaying the transition from maturity to decline and death. (Prevention of construction damage, root system care, proper tree care maintenance, etc.) Tree care PRESERVATION should be proactive and then reactive. Treatments should be preventative rather than remedial to maintain tree health once tree decline begins. The periodic inspection of trees for structural defects such as root system damage.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. Property that is not owned by a federal, state or local government.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Property owned by the Town of Wilkesboro, North Carolina or that property on which the town maintains a right-of-way.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. The head of the Town of Wilkesboro Public Works Department and person charged with enforcement of this chapter.
REGULATED TREE. A tree which is located on private property and whose establishment and/or maintenance is required in order to acquire a certificate of occupancy for a proposed use.
REPLACEMENT. Replacement of dead, dying, diseased, or removed trees with trees of equal or comparable size, species, vigor and health.
REMOVAL. The cutting down of any tree or shrubbery and all other acts which cause the actual removal or the effective REMOVAL through damaging, poisoning or other direct or indirect actions resulting in the death of a tree or shrubbery.
ROOT PROTECTION ZONE. Generally, 18 to 24 inches deep and a radius distance from the trunk of the tree equal to 1 foot for each 1 inch of trunk diameter or the outermost drip line of the tree, whichever is greater.
SMALL MATURING TREE. Any tree whose height is less than 35 feet at maturity.
STREET TREES. Trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues, or ways within the county/town.
TOWN. The Town of Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
TOWN ATTORNEY. The Town Attorney for the Town of Wilkesboro or his or her designee.
TOWN PROPERTY. All real property which is owned or leased by the town or which is maintained by it or any part of any town right-of-way.
TOPPING. Any pruning practice that results in pruning back the main leader stem of the tree or causes disfigurement of the normal shape of the tree.
TREE EVALUATION FORMULA. A formula for determining the value of ornamental trees and shrubs as published by the International Society of Arboriculture.
UNSAFE TREE. For a tree to be considered unsafe, one of the following criteria must apply:
(1) A combination of a structural defect and a target.
(a) A structural defect which predisposes the tree to failure; i.e., dead tree, trunk decay, dead branches, V-crotches; and
(b) A target such as a structure, road, walkway, campsite or other area where property exists or people reside. In urban areas, target areas are almost always in close proximity to trees; or
(2) A tree that is otherwise structurally sound trees but which interfere with the routine activities of people. Such interference might include obstructions, sight distance problems for motorists, buckling of sidewalks, attracting lightning, or interference with utilities.
(Ord. passed 9-11-2006)