Ord 2570 - TMC Chapter 18.54 "Tree Regulations" - Urban Forestry and Trees

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B. Plant Material Standards. 1. Plant material shall be healthy, vigorous and well -formed, with well - developed, fibrous root systems, free from dead branches or roots. Plants shall be free from damage caused by temperature extremes, pre -planting or on -site storage, lack of or excess moisture, insects, disease, and mechanical injury. Plants in leaf shall show a full crown and be of good color. Plants shall be habituated to outdoor environmental conditions (i.e. hardened -off). 2. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of 6 feet in height at time of planting. 3. Deciduous trees shall have at least a 2-inch caliper at time of planting as measured 4.5 feet from the ground, determined according to the American Standard for Nursery Stock as it now reads and as hereafter amended. 4. Smaller plant stock may be substituted on a case -by -case basis with approval of the City's environmental specialist. 5. Tree spacing shall take into account the location of existing and new trees as well as site conditions. 6. Where there are overhead utility lines, the tree species selected shall be of a type which, at full maturity, will not interfere with the lines or require pruning to maintain necessary clearances. C. Tree Maintenance and Pruning. 1. Pruning of trees should be (1) for the health of the plant material, (2) to maintain sight distances or sight lines, or (3) if interfering with overhead utilities. All pruning must be done in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 specifications, as it now reads and as hereafter amended. No more than 25% of the tree canopy shall be pruned in any two-year period, except for fruit trees that are being pruned to increase harvest potential. 2. All protected and replacement trees and vegetation shown in approved Tree Permit shall be maintained in a healthy condition by the property owner throughout the life of the project, unless otherwise approved by the Director in a subsequent Tree Permit. 3. Trees may only be pruned to lower their height to prevent interference with an overhead utility line with prior approval by the Director. The pruning must be carried out under the direction of a Qualified Tree Professional or performed by the utility provider under the direction of a Qualified Tree Professional. The crown shall be maintained to at least 2/3 the height of the tree prior to pruning. Section 18. Ordinance No. 1758 §1 (part), as codified at TIVIC Section 18.54.170, is hereby amended to read as follows: 18.54.170 Heritage Trees and Heritage Groves A. Heritage Trees or a Heritage Grove must be nominated for designation by, or approved for nomination by, the owner of the property on which the tree or grove is located. W: Word Processing\Ordinances\Tree regulations re-enacted TIVIC 18.54 final 3-28-18 CL:bjs Page 16 of 21