This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Tree Laws
of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence."
To enhance the quality of life and the present and future health,
safety and welfare of all residents, to enhance property values, and
to ensure proper planting and care of trees on public property, the
Board of Trustees herein delegates the authority and responsibility
for managing public trees, creates a Tree Committee, establishes practices
governing the planting and care of trees on public property, and makes
provision for the emergency removal of trees on private property under
certain conditions.
As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings indicated:
DAMAGE
Any injury to or destruction of a tree, including but not
limited to uprooting or severance of all or part of the root system
or main trunk. Storage of material on or compaction of surrounding
soil; a substantial change in the natural grade above a root system
or around a trunk; surrounding the tree with impervious paving materials;
or any trauma caused by accident or collision.
NUISANCE
Any tree, or limb thereof, that has an infectious disease
or insect; is dead or dying; obstructs the view of traffic signs or
the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles; or threatens public health,
safety, and welfare.
PARKWAY
The area along a public street between the curb and the sidewalk;
or if there is no curb or sidewalk, the unpaved portion of the area
between the street right-of-way line and the paved portion of the
street or alley.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
All grounds and rights-of-way (ROWs) owned or maintained
by the Village.
PUBLIC TREE
Any tree or woody vegetation on Village-owned or Village-maintained
property or rights-of-way.
TOP or TOPPING
The nonstandard practice of cutting back of limbs to stubs
within a tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal
canopy and disfigure the tree.
Any person committing an offense against any provision of this
article shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a violation pursuant
to the Penal Law of the State of New York, punishable by a fine up
to a maximum of $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding
15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuation of
an offense against the provisions of this article shall constitute,
for each day the offense is continued, a separate and distinct offense
hereunder.
If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this
article is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remaining
portions of this article.
This article shall become effective immediately upon filing
with the New York State Secretary of State.