Park trees
are herein defined as trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, and all areas owned by the city, or to which the public has free access as a park.
Street trees
are herein defined as trees, shrubs, bushes, and all other woody vegetation on land lying between property lines on either side of all streets, avenues, or ways within the city.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8A; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1201)
(a) 
Official species.
The following list constitutes the official street tree species for the city. No species other than those included in this list may be planted as street trees without written permission of the city tree board.
(1) 
Small trees:
Crepe Myrtle
Red Bud
Red Oak
(2) 
Medium trees:
Cedar Elm
Red Oak
Golden Rain
Chinese Pistasche
(3) 
Large trees:
Bur Oak
Live Oak
Pecan
(b) 
Spacing.
The spacing of street trees will be in accordance with the three (3) species size classes listed in subsection (a) above, and no other trees may be planted closer together than the following:
(1) 
Small trees: 30 feet;
(2) 
Medium trees: 40 feet;
(3) 
Large trees: 50 feet;
except in special plantings designed or approved by a landscape architect.
(c) 
Distance from curb and sidewalk.
The distance trees may be planted from curbs and sidewalks will be in accordance with the three species size classes listed in subsection (a) above, and no trees may be planted closer to any curb or sidewalk than the following:
(1) 
Small trees: 2 feet;
(2) 
Medium trees: 3 feet; and
(3) 
Large trees: 4 feet.
(d) 
Distance from street corners and fireplugs.
No street tree shall be planted closer than thirty-five (35) feet of any corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs or curb lines. No street tree shall be planted closer than ten (10) feet of any fireplug.
(e) 
Planting near overhead utility lines.
No street trees other than those species listed as small trees in subsection (a) above may be planted under or within ten (10) lateral feet of any overhead utility wire.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8C; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1203)
(a) 
The city shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within the 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.
(b) 
The city tree board may remove or cause or order to be removed, with city council approval, 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 improvements, or is affected by any injurious fungus, insects or other pest.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8D; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1204)
It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or city department to top any street tree or park tree. 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 severely damaged by storms or other causes or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical may be exempted from this section at the determination of the city tree board.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8E; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1205)
Trees overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall be pruned so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight (8) feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk. The city shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the visibility of any stop sign.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8F; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1206)
All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the ground.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8G; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1207)
It shall be unlawful for any person or firm to engage in the business or occupation of pruning, treating, or removing street or park trees within the city without first applying for and procuring a license. The license fee shall be set by the city council and on file with the city secretary; provided, however, that no license shall be required of any public service company or city employee doing such work in the pursuit of their public service endeavors. Before any license shall be issued, each applicant shall first file evidence of possession of liability insurance in the minimum amounts of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for bodily injury and one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) property damage indemnifying the city or any person injured or damaged resulting from the pursuit of such endeavors as herein described.
(1987 Code, ch. 4, sec. 8H; 2001 Code, sec. 3.1208)