[R.O. 2011 §62.010; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.010), 7-1-1996]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these
prescribed meanings:
A commercial or public person involved with the recommendations
or work of tree establishment, care and removal.
A raised area of growth at the base of all branches that
should not be cut or damaged during tree pruning operations.
Removal of or reduction in length of selected branches to
encourage growth of the branch in different direction: Away from building
or power lines of all types.
The outer edges of tree crown.
Trees in public parks having individual names, and all areas
owned by the City, or which the public has free access as a park.
The removal of dead branches, crossing branches or other
branches that will improve structural problems that may exist (dual
tops, sharp V angle branches) or the removal of hazard branches (limbs
growing into power lines, house or other buildings), with all pruning
leaving the tree in a natural shape.
The removal of lower branches or the removal of smaller branches
from larger branches to increase the clearance height of the limbs
over streets, alleys, or buildings.
Trees on land lying between property lines on either side
of all streets, avenues, or ways within the City.
[R.O. 2011 §62.020; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.020), 7-1-1996; Ord. No. 2038 §1, 1-2-2001]
A.
The Master
Street Tree List referred to in this Section will constitute the official
street tree species of Savannah, State of Missouri. No species other
than those in the Master Street Tree List may be planted as street
trees without written permission of the City. Failure to plant those
trees specified will result in possible removal by City of Savannah.
[R.O. 2011 §62.030; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.030), 7-1-1996]
[R.O. 2011 §62.040; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.040), 7-1-1996]
A.
The distance
trees may be planted from curbs or curb lines and sidewalks will be
in accordance with the three (3) species size classes of the Master
Street Tree List, and no trees may be planted in a space smaller than
the following:
[R.O. 2011 §62.050; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.050), 7-1-1996]
No street tree shall be planted closer than thirty-five (35)
feet of any street corner or twenty (20) feet from any alley corner,
measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs, curb lines,
or edge of pavement. No street tree shall be planted closer than ten
(10) feet of any fireplug.
[R.O. 2011 §62.060; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.060), 7-1-1996]
No street trees other than those species listed as small trees
in the Master Tree List may be planted under or within ten (10) lateral
feet of any overhead utility wire, transmission line or other utility
line. No street trees other than those listed in the Master Street
Tree List shall be planted over or within five (5) lateral feet of
any underground water line, sewer line, transmission line or other
utility line.
[R.O. 2011 §62.070; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.070), 7-1-1996]
A.
The Department
of Public Works shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain and
remove trees within the right-of-way lines of all streets, alleys,
avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds as may be necessary to
insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty
of such public grounds. The Parks and Recreation Department will have
this same right in regard to the City's parks and parkways.
B.
The Department
of Public Works 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 or private improvement, or is infected
with any injurious disease or parasite. This Section does not prohibit
the planting of street trees by adjacent property owners providing
that the Section and location of said trees is in accordance with
this Chapter.
C.
No person
shall, within the limits of the City and within any park, parkway,
willfully and without right cut, take away, destroy, injure or mutilate,
or attempt to cut, take away destroy, injure or mutilate by cutting
roots, or exposure, or by placing oil or any injurious chemical or
substance on the ground around such trees, shrub or vine, or by tying
animals to, or piling building materials about, or by attaching signs,
supports or other devices to any fruit tree, ornamental or shade tree,
shrub or vine standing, growing or being on premises in possession
of another, including the City. In addition, no person shall cut down,
lop, take or otherwise destroy any ornamental or shade tree, shrub,
flowers, bulb or fruit standing or growing on any public ground or
any street, sidewalk, park sidewalk, promenade, park or parkway in
the City.
[R.O. 2011 §62.080; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.080), 7-1-1996]
Underground lines, with the exception of sewer and sewer inlets,
shall be tunneled under the tree's drip line at a depth of a least
eighteen (18) inches. Where trenching is required, special precautions
must be taken such as exposed roots must be cut cleanly and the trench
refilled as soon as possible to minimize root drying.
[R.O. 2011 §62.090; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.090), 7-1-1996]
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 (3) inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees are to be trimmed using acceptable practices such as defined in Section 230.070. Trees severely damaged by storms or in the case of extreme emergencies where other pruning practices are impractical, trees may be topped. An alternate to topping would be to remove the tree. In the case of emergency tree topping or tree removal, a tree replacement should be planted at the determination of the City.
[R.O. 2011 §62.100; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.100), 7-1-1996]
It shall be unlawful for any owner, occupant or agent of any
house, building, lot or premises adjoining a street to permit shrubbery,
trees, bushes, etc., to grow thereon, or in the parkway adjoining
a public street along said premises, which obstruct, hide, interfere
or prevent the observance of drivers of vehicles of traffic control
devices or other vehicles approaching said street or intersection.
Those tree branches shall be pruned or removed so that such branches
shall not obstruct the light from any street lamps or obstruct the
view of any street intersection. Trees shall be pruned to provide
a clear space of fourteen (14) feet above the surface of the street
or alley or eight (8) feet over a sidewalk. Said owner, occupant or
agent shall remove the same within seventy-two (72) hours of notice
by the City. The City shall have the right to prune any tree or shrub
on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light
along the street from a street light or interferes with visibility
of street traffic control device or sign. All pruning of street trees
shall be done at the branch collar. No tree climbing spikes may be
used to climb trees except for the removal of that street tree. When
a tree is growing in violation of the above space requirements, the
Department of Public Works and Transportation will be responsible
for the corrective action.
[R.O. 2011 §62.110; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.110), 7-1-1996]
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, or harbor insects or disease
which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the City.
The City will notify in writing the owners of such trees. Removal
shall be done by said owners at their expense within thirty (30) days
after the date of service of the notice. In the event of failure of
the owners to comply with such provisions, the City shall have the
authority to remove such trees and charge twice the cost of removal
to the owners through a lien on the property.
[R.O. 2011 §62.120; Ord. No. 1860 §1(62.120), 07-1-1996]
All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed within
six (6) months of removal of tree so that the top of the stump shall
not project above the surface of the ground. Naturally wooded areas
which are inaccessible to equipment will be excluded at the discretion
of the City.
