[CC 1985 § 27-42; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
The board will establish and maintain an accurate inventory of trees that are located on City property and easements. This will include a street overlay with the placement, species, and relative condition of each tree located on City property.
[CC 1985 § 27-43; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
Utilizing the Tree Inventory, the board will develop a Tree Replacement Schedule that determines the best solution for systematic renewal of City-owned trees. Mandatory input from foresters, Conservation Department, and other such expertise, will guide the board in preparing the Tree Replacement Schedule.
[CC 1985 § 27-44; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
The board shall research and provide recommendation to the City Council as to tree species that meet the criteria for successful planting and survival in the mid-Missouri temperature zone.
[CC 1985 § 27-45; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
Techniques for tree removal shall be investigated with specific attention to cost and efficiency. Best approach recommendations will detail the entire removal process. The recovery of tree resources, transporting of non-resources, and dispersion or disposal of same, will be clearly defined. Post-removal cleanup responsibilities will be defined.
[CC 1985 § 27-46; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
Procedures for tree planting will be developed after a comprehensive evaluation of available information to ensure a successful survival rate.
[CC 1985 § 27-47; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
A. 
A plan detailing the maintenance and watering of each newly planted tree will be established. Information in this plan will include:
1. 
Assignment of responsibility.
2. 
Best time of day to water, quantity of water used per tree.
3. 
Water source.
4. 
Equipment required.
[CC 1985 § 27-48; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
The board will produce a nursery proposal outlining a City-owned, low-cost solution to provide suitable tree replacements at the appropriate time and in sufficient quantity. The proposal will serve as a reference in determining whether to grow or purchase replacement trees.
[CC 1985 § 27-49; Ord. No. 876, 6-5-2006]
The board will continually investigate methods to recover value in harvested trees. This includes the sale of any and all portions of trees that have been removed.
[CC 1985 § 27-50; Ord. No. 925, 9-2-2008]
It shall not be normal practice for any person, firm or City Department to top any tree in the public community forest. "Topping, rounding off or pollarding" is defined as the systematic cutting back of limbs widening the tree's crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this Section by determination of the Community Forest Manager or Tree Board.
[CC 1985 § 27-51; Ord. No. 925, 9-2-2008]
Street trees may be planted in the tree lawn where there is no less than six (6) feet between the edge of the sidewalk and the curb of the street. Any tree, street or privately owned, shall be planted no closer than eight (8) feet from a sidewalk driveway, or street. No tree shall be planted closer than ten (10) feet from any fireplug. Special permission must be obtained from the Forestry Board when planting street trees within ten (10) feet of any point on a line on the ground immediately below any overhead utility wire.
[CC 1985 § 27-52; Ord. No. 925, 9-2-2008]
For reasons of public safety, a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet must be maintained over walkways and a minimum distance of ten (10) feet over streets and alleys. Also for reasons of public safety, overhanging hazardous or dead limbs need to be removed from living trees. After written or verbal notice to the abutting property owner, the City does have the right to prune any and all overhanging hazardous or dead limbs. The City of St. James will be responsible for the cost of this thinning since this is a public safety issue.
[CC 1985 § 27-53; Ord. No. 925, 9-2-2008]
The City shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the rights-of-way or bounds for any streets, alleys, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure public safety. All tree pruning and removal will be done in accordance with the most current American National Standards Institute, ANSI A300, Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance — Standard Practices.