(A) The town shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, public grounds, right-of-ways and squares, as may be necessary to insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.
(B) All tree work taking place on public property being conducted by contractors, subcontractors, or town employees will conform to ISA ANSI standards for tree work.
(C) It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or town department to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on public property. Topping is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to shrubs larger than 3 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 provision of this chapter by the Administrator.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any entity, utility, citizen, or tree care company or government to trench, cut, grade, or fill within the critical root zone of any public tree without the written consent of the Administrator.
(Ord. passed 9-11-2006)