Definitions. The following words and phrases, as used herein, shall
have the meanings hereby ascribed to them, except in those instances
when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ARBORIST, CITY ARBORIST
The Arborist/Horticulturist of the City of Lancaster, as
supervised by the Director of Public Works or designee, or any urban
tree professional employed or contracted by the City within the Bureau
of Operations and designated with the responsibilities set forth in
this chapter, including but not limited to administering the Shade
Tree Program of the City of Lancaster.
BUREAU
The Bureau of Operations of the City of Lancaster.
CALIPER
The measure of the diameter of the trunk of balled or burlapped
nursery trees at a point six inches above the ground, or 12 inches
above the ground for trees over four inches in caliper. See also "DBH,
diameter at breast height." It should be noted that "caliper" and
"diameter at breast height" are both used in this chapter and carry
different meanings, and should not be used interchangeably.
CARTWAY
The paved surface of a street or alley available for use
by vehicular traffic.
CITY
The City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
COUNCIL
The Council of the City of Lancaster.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Public Works of the City.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Department of Public Works or her/his
designee.
ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES AND SERVICES
Ecosystem services are provided by natural processes that
sustain human life. They include clean water, stormwater management,
carbon sequestration, increased human health, increased property values,
biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.
NOTICE
Either publication in one newspaper of general circulation
once a week for two consecutive weeks, or written notification sent
by first-class mail to property owners immediately affected, or notification
posted on the affected tree.
PARK
Includes all public parks under the jurisdiction of the Department
of Public Works.
PERMIT
Any permit, in writing, as issued by the Bureau of Parks
and Public Property of the Department of Public Works.
PROTECTED TREE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
Any tree with a DBH of 12 inches or more located on any lot
within 20 feet of a street right-of-way (including an approved private
street or other access easement) and any tree with a DBH of 24 inches
or more located elsewhere on the lot. For the purposes of this chapter,
private property shall include all tracts, lots and parcels, with
or without improvements, and not under control of the City of Lancaster.
PUBLIC AREAS
Includes any public right-of-way, including street, alley,
avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, lane, viaduct and any other
dedicated and accepted public right-of-way, and any public park, trail,
greenway, recreational facility, or open space under the jurisdiction
of the City, as well as any City agency, commission, and board.
PUBLIC STREET
A street or alley which has been dedicated to and accepted
by the City of Lancaster and has been placed on the Official City
(Street) Plan. This definition includes any street, avenue, boulevard,
road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, alley, viaduct and any other
ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians.
RIGHT-OF-WAY or RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
A line or lines delineating the extent or dimensions (usually
expressed in feet) of the width of a public or private street or alley
and which abuts two or more lots or property lines. The total width
of any land used, reserved or dedicated as a street, alley, driveway,
sidewalk or utility easement.
SHADE TREE
Any tree, shrub or other woody plant in or upon any public
street, highway or avenue, or public park, trail, greenway or open
space in the City, or that part of any tree, shrub or other woody
plant which extends within the lines of any public street, highway
or avenue, or public park, trail, greenway or open space in the City.
For the purposes of this chapter, a shade tree shall also include
any tree, shrub or other woody plant located within any properly executed
and recorded easement on private property.
SHRUB
A multistemmed woody plant differing from a tree by its low
stature and habit in branching from the base.
STREET TREE
Any shade tree planted in the right-of-way, including but
not limited to between a street curb or cartway and a sidewalk. For
the purpose of this chapter, a street tree shall also include any
shade tree located within any properly executed and recorded easement
on private property on the side of a sidewalk opposite the street.
STREET TREE CONTRACT
Contract between the City and a local nursery for the purchase
of trees to be used for the planting of street trees under the Street
Tree Program administered by the Bureau. The contract establishes
the replacement value of a tree based on the average retail cost.
TREE
As used herein, "tree" shall mean "shade tree." The following
tree size designations are based upon trees available through the
City's Tree Planting Program:
(1)
Large trees are designated as those attaining a height of 45
feet or more with a mature spread of 30 feet or more.
(2)
Medium trees are designated as those attaining a height of 30
feet to 45 feet with a mature spread of 20 feet or more.
(3)
Small trees are designated as those attaining a height of less
than 30 feet with a mature spread of 10 feet or more.
TREE CONDITION
A measure of both a tree's health and structural stability.
TREE DRIPLINE
A line derived by the horizontal line extending along a radius
from the trunk of a tree to the outermost tips of branches.
TREE MANUAL
The City of Lancaster regulations and standards for arborculture
work for the planting, care, and maintenance of trees and shrubs.
TREE PROTECTION ZONE (TPZ)
The TPZ extends from the tree trunk a distance equal to 12
times the trunk diameter at breast height, or to the tree's dripline
plus five feet, whichever distance is greater.
TREE RISK RATING
A method that ranks the relative degree of risk and consequence
of tree failure by considering tree condition and defects, the size
of the tree part prone to failure, and the vulnerability and value
of any target that may be struck. Tree risk ratings are:
(1)
Improbable: The tree is not likely to fail even in severe weather.
(2)
Possible: Failure could occur, but is unlikely during normal
weather conditions.
(3)
Potential: Tree failure is expected under normal weather conditions.
(4)
Imminent: Tree failure has started or will occur in near future.
TREE WORK
Any and all work performed to a tree requiring a permit as
set forth herein.