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, and alleys within the city.

Park trees are herein defined as trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks and all areas owned by the City, or to which the public has free access as a park.

(Ord. 588; Code 2026)

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 ensure safety when servicing city utilities or to preserve the symmetry and beauty of public grounds. The city may remove or cause or order to be removed, 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 with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest.

(Ord. 588; Code 2026)

The city shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the city, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property. The city will notify in writing the owners of such trees. Removal shall be done by said owners at their own expense within 60 days after the date of service of notice. The owners, within 30 days of the notice, may request a hearing with the governing body concerning the ordered removal. In the event of the failure of the owners to comply with the removal notice, the city shall have the authority to remove the trees and charge the cost of removal on the owner’s property tax notice.

(Ord. 588; Code 2026)

The city clerk shall, at the time of certifying other city taxes to the county clerk, certify the unpaid costs for treatment or removal performed under the authority of sections 13-303 and the county clerk shall extend the same on the tax roll of the county against the lot or parcel of ground. The cost of such work shall be paid from the general fund or other proper fund of the city.

(Ord. 588; Code 2026)

No person shall plant or cause to be planted nor allow to grow upon property owned by him or her any shrubs, trees, or planting of any kind within 10 feet of any fire hydrant in the city, in order that every fire hydrant shall be in full view day or night, to fire apparatus approaching from any direction.

(Ord. 588; Code 2026)

Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp, obstruct the view or be a physical obstruction of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of 8 feet above the surface of the sidewalk and a clear space of 14 feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way, from gutter line to the opposite parallel gutter line.

(Ord. 588; Code 2026)