§ 24-48. Rights of city.

(a)

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 public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.

(b)

The city tree board may remove or cause or order to be removed any publicly owned tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewers, electrical power lines, gas lines, water lines or other public improvements, or which is affected with any injurious fungus, insect or other pest. This section does not prohibit the planting of street trees by adjacent property owners providing that the selection and location of the trees is in accordance with the guidelines for planting and spacing developed by the tree board. The tree board may reserve the right to approve any plantings that take place in the right-of-way areas.

(Code 1977, § 25.5-21(a), (c))