§ 24-2. Purpose of chapter.

(a)

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on city-owned public property and rights-of-way within the city and on city-owned property wherever located. In order to protect and conserve trees on public property and rights-of-way, this chapter provides for the pruning, treatment and removal of trees and shrubs as is deemed necessary by the city council or a person acting under the authority of the city council. This chapter is also intended to provide for the trimming or removal of trees on public land when they obscure streetlights, interfere with utility lines or constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or otherwise endanger the public health, safety or welfare.

(b)

Another purpose of this chapter is to encourage the protection of trees and express the city's intent to use trees to create a more natural and amenable human environment. This chapter is not intended to be punitive nor to cause hardship to any person who uses the utmost care and diligence to protect trees within the city or on city property.

(c)

This chapter shall further provide for the establishment of a tree board which shall be responsible for promoting trees and tree care throughout the city and for developing a city tree plan.

(Code 1977, § 25.5-1)