Legal Documents of Rocky Top

The terms as used in this chapter shall have the following meaning:

1. "Crownspread." The distance from the end of branches on one side of the tree, through the trunk, to the ends of the branches on the other side.
2. "Line clearance." Removal of limbs and branches growing within a set distance of electrical distribution lines.
3. "Municipal forester." A city employee responsible for the city's tree program.
4. "Private tree." A tree growing in an area owned by a private individual, business or commercial establishment, company, or industry, private institution, or other area not owned by government entities.
5. "Pruning." Selective removal and thinning of the upper portions of the tree, taking into account the shape and natural structure of the tree.
6. "Public tree." A tree growing in an area owned by the community, including parks, public buildings, schools, hospitals and other areas to which the public has free access.
7. "Public utility." That section of local government in charge of electrical distribution in the community and having responsibility for keeping distribution lines free of hazards, including trees.
8. "Shrub." A woody plant with a multiple stem capable or growing to a height of up to fifteen feet (15').
9. "Street tree." A tree growing within a public right of way along a street, in a median or in a similar area in which the public right of way boarders areas owned by private individuals.
10. "Topping." Arbitrary removal of various portions of the tree, thereby leaving stubs, with no regard for the natural structure of the tree.
11. "Tree." A woody plant with a single trunk, or multiple trunk capable of growing to a height of fifteen feet (15') or more.
12. "Tree density factor." A number derived from the combination of the density of trees remaining on a site and the density of additional trees to be planted. (Ord. #521, March 2018)