[R.O. 2011 §62.010; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.010), 7-1-1996]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
ARBORIST
A commercial or public person involved with the recommendations or work of tree establishment, care and removal.
BRANCH COLLAR
A raised area of growth at the base of all branches that should not be cut or damaged during tree pruning operations.
DIRECTIONAL PRUNING
Removal of or reduction in length of selected branches to encourage growth of the branch in different direction: Away from building or power lines of all types.
DRIP LINE
The outer edges of tree crown.
PARK TREES
Trees in public parks having individual names, and all areas owned by the City, or which the public has free access as a park.
PRUNING/THINNING
The removal of dead branches, crossing branches or other branches that will improve structural problems that may exist (dual tops, sharp V angle branches) or the removal of hazard branches (limbs growing into power lines, house or other buildings), with all pruning leaving the tree in a natural shape.
RAISING OF TREES
The removal of lower branches or the removal of smaller branches from larger branches to increase the clearance height of the limbs over streets, alleys, or buildings.
STREET TREES
Trees on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues, or ways within the City.
[R.O. 2011 §62.020; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.020), 7-1-1996; Ord. No. 2038 §1, 1-2-2001]
A. 
The Master Street Tree List referred to in this Section will constitute the official street tree species of Savannah, State of Missouri. No species other than those in the Master Street Tree List may be planted as street trees without written permission of the City. Failure to plant those trees specified will result in possible removal by City of Savannah.
1. 
Property owner may request a new tree along the street casement.
a. 
May purchase a tree through the City for twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
b. 
The City will pay the remaining cost.
c. 
The City will plant and mulch the tree.
2. 
Property owners will be responsible for maintaining the tree.
a. 
Water and mulch.
[R.O. 2011 §62.030; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.030), 7-1-1996]
A. 
Spacing is permitted according to the size categories on the approved list.
1. 
For small trees, a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet between trees.
2. 
For medium trees, a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet between trees.
3. 
For large trees, a minimum of fifty (50) feet between trees.
[R.O. 2011 §62.040; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.040), 7-1-1996]
A. 
The distance trees may be planted from curbs or curb lines and sidewalks will be in accordance with the three (3) species size classes of the Master Street Tree List, and no trees may be planted in a space smaller than the following:
1. 
Small trees, two (2) feet between any curb and sidewalk.
2. 
Medium trees, three (3) feet between any curb and sidewalk.
3. 
Large trees, four (4) feet between any curb and sidewalk.
[R.O. 2011 §62.050; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.050), 7-1-1996]
No street tree shall be planted closer than thirty-five (35) feet of any street corner or twenty (20) feet from any alley corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs, curb lines, or edge of pavement. No street tree shall be planted closer than ten (10) feet of any fireplug.
[R.O. 2011 §62.060; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.060), 7-1-1996]
No street trees other than those species listed as small trees in the Master Tree List may be planted under or within ten (10) lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, transmission line or other utility line. No street trees other than those listed in the Master Street Tree List shall be planted over or within five (5) lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other utility line.
[R.O. 2011 §62.070; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.070), 7-1-1996]
A. 
The Department of Public Works shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees within the right-of-way lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds as may be necessary to insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds. The Parks and Recreation Department will have this same right in regard to the City's parks and parkways.
B. 
The Department of Public Works may remove or cause or order to be removed any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public or private improvement, or is infected with any injurious disease or parasite. This Section does not prohibit the planting of street trees by adjacent property owners providing that the Section and location of said trees is in accordance with this Chapter.
C. 
No person shall, within the limits of the City and within any park, parkway, willfully and without right cut, take away, destroy, injure or mutilate, or attempt to cut, take away destroy, injure or mutilate by cutting roots, or exposure, or by placing oil or any injurious chemical or substance on the ground around such trees, shrub or vine, or by tying animals to, or piling building materials about, or by attaching signs, supports or other devices to any fruit tree, ornamental or shade tree, shrub or vine standing, growing or being on premises in possession of another, including the City. In addition, no person shall cut down, lop, take or otherwise destroy any ornamental or shade tree, shrub, flowers, bulb or fruit standing or growing on any public ground or any street, sidewalk, park sidewalk, promenade, park or parkway in the City.
[R.O. 2011 §62.080; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.080), 7-1-1996]
Underground lines, with the exception of sewer and sewer inlets, shall be tunneled under the tree's drip line at a depth of a least eighteen (18) inches. Where trenching is required, special precautions must be taken such as exposed roots must be cut cleanly and the trench refilled as soon as possible to minimize root drying.
[R.O. 2011 §62.090; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.090), 7-1-1996]
It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or City 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 stubs larger than three (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 are to be trimmed using acceptable practices such as defined in Section 230.070. Trees severely damaged by storms or in the case of extreme emergencies where other pruning practices are impractical, trees may be topped. An alternate to topping would be to remove the tree. In the case of emergency tree topping or tree removal, a tree replacement should be planted at the determination of the City.
[R.O. 2011 §62.100; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.100), 7-1-1996]
It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant or agent of any house, building, lot or premises adjoining a street to permit shrubbery, trees, bushes, etc., to grow thereon, or in the parkway adjoining a public street along said premises, which obstruct, hide, interfere or prevent the observance of drivers of vehicles of traffic control devices or other vehicles approaching said street or intersection. Those tree branches shall be pruned or removed so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamps or obstruct the view of any street intersection. Trees shall be pruned to provide a clear space of fourteen (14) feet above the surface of the street or alley or eight (8) feet over a sidewalk. Said owner, occupant or agent shall remove the same within seventy-two (72) hours of notice by the City. The City shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a street light or interferes with visibility of street traffic control device or sign. All pruning of street trees shall be done at the branch collar. No tree climbing spikes may be used to climb trees except for the removal of that street tree. When a tree is growing in violation of the above space requirements, the Department of Public Works and Transportation will be responsible for the corrective action.
[R.O. 2011 §62.110; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.110), 7-1-1996]
The City shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the City, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the City. The City will notify in writing the owners of such trees. Removal shall be done by said owners at their expense within thirty (30) days after the date of service of the notice. In the event of failure of the owners to comply with such provisions, the City shall have the authority to remove such trees and charge twice the cost of removal to the owners through a lien on the property.
[R.O. 2011 §62.120; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.120), 07-1-1996]
All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed within six (6) months of removal of tree so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground. Naturally wooded areas which are inaccessible to equipment will be excluded at the discretion of the City.