Property owners shall maintain all trees on
their lots so that they are healthy and present a neat and orderly
appearance.
The following activities shall be permitted
tree maintenance activities under this section:
A. Trimming of trees when necessary to conduct a survey
or site examination for the preparation of subdivision plats, plans
or tree surveys.
B. Routine tree maintenance such as trimming that is
not intended to result in the eventual death of the tree but rather
in order to maintain a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, or any
other activity which is commonly recognized as routine tree maintenance.
C. Removal or trimming of any tree in an existing utility
easement or public right-of-way, provided such work is done by or
under the direct control of the operating utility company and said
company has received all necessary licenses or permits to provide
utility service within the easement and said company has documented
the need for said removal or trimming.
D. Removal or trimming of any tree for the purpose of
maintaining an existing legally required access to a property.
E. Removal or replacement of any tree which has been
destroyed or damaged beyond saving, from extreme weather conditions,
insects, disease or fire, or which constitutes an immediate peril
to life or property, in any such case where it has been determined
to be such by the Town.
In cases of emergencies, such as hurricane,
windstorm, ice storm, flood or other disaster, the requirements of
these regulations may be waived by the Code Enforcement Official or
other designated official, upon a finding that such waiver is necessary
so that public or private work to restore order in the Town will not
be impeded. In the event of emergencies that may be an imminent hazard
or threat to life, an individual owner, without prior approval, may
take such action as may be necessary.
The planting of highly invasive species shall
be prohibited on private property. These invasive species include
bamboo, english ivy, japanese honeysuckle, japanese wisteria, kudzu,
mile-a-minute, norway maple, oriental bittersweet, tree of heaven
and other invasive species as identified on the list of invasive species
by the Delaware Natural Heritage Program.