§ 2.104.040. Maintenance.

A.

The urban forester shall have general oversight over the maintenance of public trees, but shall have no direct supervisory power over metropolitan government employees engaged in tree maintenance. Tree maintenance may include pruning, fertilizing, watering, insect and disease control, or other tree care activities. Maintenance may be accomplished by personnel of the metropolitan government or by contract with commercial tree care companies.

B.

The practice of tree topping as opposed to branch removal at branch or trunk junctures is prohibited on all public trees without prior approval of the urban forester.

C.

Pruning of public trees in the vicinity of power lines or communications facility lines shall be undertaken using drop crotch pruning and pruning to laterals, unless other pruning methods receive prior approval by the urban forester. Such prior approval may be in the form of written policies and procedures that the urban forester, working in conjunction with public utilities and communications facilities, has established, and which enumerate limited exceptions to these pruning requirements in particular circumstances. In addition, the urban forester will work in conjunction with the public utilities and communication facilities to establish a program of replacing large trees that interfere with power lines with small maturing ornamental trees.

D.

When requested, the urban forester shall provide information to owners of private property regarding all aspects of tree care, including the latest techniques and procedures currently being practiced.

(Ord. 93-882 § 5, 1994)