§ 2.80.150. Permit for maintenance or removal

A. Property owners may apply to the borough shade tree commission for a permit to perform maintenance or removal of a borough tree located between the curb and sidewalk along the applicant's property for the following types of work:

1. Pruning to serve one or more of the following purposes: eliminate hazardous dead limbs, remove limbs which conflict with structures or overhead utilities, removal or trimming of other limbs which present a potential hazard. All pruning will be done in compliance with the National Arborist Association, Inc., American National Standards Institute, Inc. Standard ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001 Revision of ANSI A300-1995; American National Standard for Tree Care Operations—Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance—Standard Practices (Pruning).

2. Removal of trees that have become hazardous.

3. Trimming of trees that have become hazardous.

4. Trees causing damage to paved areas. In such case, the following shall apply:

a. Where space allows, curve the sidewalk or pavement around the tree, leaving about two feet of undisturbed area around the tree trunk.

b. Do not cut or shave off more than fifteen (15) percent of the tree roots. Make cuts clean—do not leave ragged edges.

c. Place an eight-inch deep bed of three-quarter-inch stone under the new pavement. This will create a "desert-like" environment under the pavement that discourages root growth.

B. All pruning or tree removal will be done in accordance with the rules, regulations and requirements established by the commission.

C. The applicant shall be responsible for total execution of all permitted work, including the legitimate disposal of all tree material removed, the removal of the tree stump to eight inches below the surrounding soil surface (in instances of tree removal), and the restoration of the work site to the extent of reestablishing the original soil surface contour and establishing grass cover. All work must be completed within ninety (90) days of the issuance of the permit.

D. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to coordinate the work with the appropriate utilities to eliminate conflicts with above- or below-ground service lines; local police to provide traffic control if necessary; neighbors to avoid conflicts.

E. Property owners who choose to perform maintenance or removal of borough trees agree to accept full liability for any damage to persons, environment or property resulting from this activity. All of the permitted work shall be done at the applicant's expense.

(Ord. 2005/28 § 3)

(Ord. No. 2013/16, § 4, 11-4-13)