§ 17.24.2. Definitions.

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Accepted arboricultural practice" means a practice recommended in current generally accepted textbooks and professional journals on arboriculture and tree care including but not limited to pruning standards published by the International Society of Arboriculture.

"Destroy" means to kill or to take action that could foreseeably endanger the health or vigor of a tree, including but not limited to, excessive or improper pruning of a tree, grade changes around or near a tree, excessive irrigation of a tree, and trenching within the dripline or protected perimeter of a tree.

"Development project" is a project requiring a building or grading permit.

"Diameter" means the distance across the tree from outside bark to outside bark measured at 4.5 feet above the natural grade of the tree.

"Director" means the Planning Director or his/her designated representative.

"Dripline" means the outermost edge of the tree's canopy. When depicted on a map, the dripline appears as an irregularly shaped circle that follows the contour of the tree's canopy as seen from above.

"Heritage tree" means a tree designated by the City Council because of the tree's association with some person or event of historical significance or because of its exceptional size which exceeds fifteen (15) inches in diameter, its condition, or its aesthetic qualities. The city shall maintain a heritage tree map, upon which each heritage tree must be identified. Each heritage tree shall be identified on the tree's site with a permanent marker or other approved city sign.

"Professional arborist" means a person certified as an arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture or a person who, as determined by the Director, is equally qualified in the field of arboriculture.

"Protected perimeter" means the area around the tree within the dripline plus a ten-foot-wide strip of ground surrounding the dripline.

"Pruning" means the selective removal of tree branches.

"Thinning" means the selective removal of a tree's branches and is used interchangeably with "pruning."

"Remove" means to cut down a tree or relocate a tree.

"Windowing" means to remove tree branches to permit view through the tree canopy.

(Ord. 02-03 § 33 (part); Ord. 99-5 § 2 Exh. A (part))