Tree Preservation and the Urban Forest 

The city’s tree code establishes tree preservation, planting, and maintenance requirements for public and private property (§253).

The city parks and shade tree commission section of the code addresses the roles and responsibilities of the shade tree commission, tree selection and planting for public property, utilities work, maintenance, tree topping, tree pruning and removal, interference with the tree commission, abuse of public trees, licensing for tree work, and local legislative body review (§253-I).

The comprehensive tree regulations section of the code addresses definitions, the role of the tree commission, tree density requirements, tree maintenance, criteria for determining specimen or heritage trees or tree stands, tree plans, tree removal permits, tree survey inspections, tree protection during construction, tree specifications and planting requirements, tree protection and mitigation, administrative appeals, emergencies, enforcements and remedies, and violations and penalties (§253-II).