Section 12.28.020   Protection of public trees.
   A.   Material Around Trees. it is unlawful for any person without a written permit from the Village to place or maintain upon the ground of any street, parkway or other public place within the Village, any stone, cement or other material or substance in such manner as may obstruct the free access of air and water to the roots of any tree in any such street, parkway or other public place. Unless otherwise provided for in such written permit, there must be maintained about the base of the trunk of each tree at least ten (10) square feet of open ground for a tree of three inches in diameter, and for every two inches of increase of diameter, there must be an increase of at least one square foot of open ground.
   B.   Construction and Excavation Operations. During the excavation, repair, alteration or removal of any building or structure within the Village, or the construction of any improvement, it is unlawful for the person in charge of such work to leave any tree situated in a public street, parkway or other public place in the vicinity of such building or structure without such good and sufficient guards or protectors and such protection and covering of its roots, as shall prevent injury to such tree or the trunk or roots arising out of or by reason of such work.
   C.   Attaching Rope, Wire, Etc. to Trees. It is unlawful for any person without a written permit from the Village to attach or keep attached to any tree in any street, parkway or other public place in the Village, or to a guard or stake intended for the protection of such tree, any rope, wire, sign or any other device.
   D.   Gas Pipes. Any person or company maintaining any gas pipe in the Village shall, in the absence of provision in the franchise governing the subject, keep such pipes free from leaks so that no injury shall be done to any tree, shrub, vine or flower in any public street, parkway or other public place in the Village.
(Prior code § 10.02)