17.42.070 MUTILATION AND TOPPING OF TREES

A. Mutilation: Unless specifically authorized in writing by the city council, or designee, no person shall intentionally damage, cut, carve, transplant, or remove any tree in or upon a right of way or public area, attach any rope, wire, nails, advertising posters, or other contrivance; allow any gaseous liquid or solid substance which is harmful to such trees to come in contact with them; or set fire to burn when such fire or the heat thereof will injure any portion of such tree. B. Tree Topping: It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm, or city department to top any street tree; park tree; or other tree on public property. "Topping" is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches (3") in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees 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 chapter at the determination of the city council, or designee. (Ord. 2003-2, 2003)