§ 2.104.010. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:

"Communications facility" means all entities providing telephone or cable television services in the community and having responsibility for keeping service lines free of hazards, including trees.

"Hazard tree" means a public tree or private tree or any portion thereof which is determined by the urban forester to create a health or safety risk to the public because the tree is dead or dying, has an infectious disease or insect problem, is injured beyond restoration, is in danger of falling, is so close to an existing or proposed public structure as to endanger such structure, creates unsafe visual clearance, interferes with public utility services or communications facility services, or poses other risks identified by the urban forester.

(Ord. 93-882 § 2, 1994)

"Private tree" means a tree or shrub growing in an area owned by a private individual, business or commercial establishment, company, industry, private institution, or other area not owned by government entities. The area where a tree is "growing" shall be determined by the placement of its trunk.

"Pruning" means selective removal and thinning of the upper portions of the tree, taking into account the shape and natural structure of the tree.

"Public tree" means a tree or shrub on any and all public property, that being property owned by the metropolitan government. Such public property shall include, but not be limited to, streets, avenues, alleys, and any other public right-of-way, public parks, public buildings, hospitals and schools. The area in which a tree or shrub is considered to be growing shall be determined by the placement of the trunk.

"Public utility" means all entities in charge of electrical distribution in the community and having responsibility for keeping distribution lines free of hazards, including trees.

"Shrub" means a woody plant with a multiple stem capable of growing to a height of up to fifteen feet.

"Topping" means arbitrary removal of various portions of the tree thereby leaving stubs, with no regard for the natural structure of the tree.

"Tree" means a woody plant with a single trunk or multiple trunk capable of growing to a height of fifteen feet or more.

(Ord. 93-882 § 2, 1994)