§ 8-1012. Maintenance.

A.

All plant material shall be tended and maintained in a healthy growing condition and free from refuse and debris at all times by the owner or his agent. All unhealthy, dying or dead plant materials shall be replaced within one (1) year. Screening and buffering structures, including fences, shall be maintained in a uniform, presentable and fully functioning condition. Failure to maintain required landscaping, screening and buffering improvements shall be considered a violation of the approved plans and provisions of this ordinance and shall be handled in accordance with subsection 1-1013.L, zoning ordinance violations.

B.

Tree topping and other forms of extreme crown reduction or unnatural shaping and pruning of trees required by this article shall be prohibited. Trees required by this article shall be allowed to grow in a generally natural form. Pruning to remove a safety hazard, to remove dead or diseased materials, or to avoid overhead utility lines or reasonable, seasonal pruning recommended for maintaining growth shall be exempt from this prohibition.

C.

Trees eight (8) inches in diameter or less which are topped or damaged by excessive pruning shall be replaced with a large deciduous or evergreen tree as specified in section 8-1004.

D.

Trees greater than eight (8) inches in diameter which are topped or damaged by excessive pruning shall require a professional arborist to develop and carry out a corrective pruning schedule to be approved by the zoning administrator. (7-19-18.)