[1975 Code § 4.14; amended by 2003 Code]
The owner or person having the possession or charge of any lot, block or tract of ground within the limits of the City and contiguous to or adjoining any street or public thoroughfare therein may plant shade or ornamental trees, except North Carolina poplars, Chinese elms, cottonwoods and soft maples, within the street and along the lot, block or tract of ground so owned or possessed by him, such trees to be planted a minimum of six feet from the right of way.
[1975 Code § 4.14; amended by Ord. 859, 10-4-1999; 2003 Code]
A. 
Private Property.
1. 
Trimming By Property Owner: It shall be the duty of every owner or person having the possession or charge of any lot, block or tract of ground within the City to keep all shade or ornamental trees planted or growing in any street or thoroughfare adjoining the lot, block or tract of ground so owned or possessed by him, properly trimmed by cutting off the lower branches of such trees to a height of not less than 10 feet from the ground[1] and by cutting off the tips of extremities of the branches so as not to obstruct the view of the streets along which such trees are growing.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Subsection 4-1-5E of this Code.
2. 
Trimming By City: If any person, whose duty it shall be under this chapter to trim and keep properly trimmed any shade or ornamental tree, shall fail or neglect to do so, after being notified by the superintendent of streets, or shall insufficiently trim the same to meet the requirements of this chapter, it shall be the duty of the superintendent of streets to proceed to trim such trees properly and carefully and in such manner as to meet the requirements of this chapter, doing no unnecessary cutting of branches or no injury to such trees otherwise than the necessary and proper trimming of the same.
B. 
City Right Of Way: No person or entity shall cut or trim any tree or shrubbery on City right of way unless such person or entity shall have been contracted by the City to do such work, or unless such work shall otherwise be done with the consent of the City.
[Ord. 859, 10-4-1999; amended by 2003 Code]
A. 
Rules And Regulations: The City shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for the removal of trees or other woody plants or brush on private property when the removal of said trees, woody plants, or brush may require placement of limbs, cuttings, wood or other debris on City right of way for pickup or other disposition,[1] or when City right of way shall be required, in the interests of public safety, to be blocked or barricaded for a period of time to facilitate the removal of one or more trees on private property.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Title 4, Chapter 4-2, of this Code.
B. 
Chipping And Removal By City; Cost: Any woody plant or other brush cut or trimmed by a homeowner on or from private property and then placed for pickup by the City, such placement being required to be on City right of way or near a curb, will be removed by the City in the manner most appropriate, including chipping of the woody plant, brush and other disposable plant material.
[1975 Code § 4.14; amended by 2003 Code]
After the property owner has been notified in writing, the superintendent of streets may trim, cut or remove any tree if, in his opinion, the same interferes with traffic on said street.