Legal Documents of Rocky Top

Tree maintenance may include pruning, fertilizing, watering, insect and diseases control or other tree care activities. The city shall take responsibility for those maintenance activities needed to keep the public trees reasonably healthy and minimize the risk of hazard trees could cause to residents and visitors of the city. Determination of maintenance needs will be recommended by the tree committee and the city manager. Tree care may be accomplished by city personnel or by contract with commercial tree care companies. Care and maintenance of private trees are encouraged to minimize safety hazards to people and the health risk to other trees in the community. The tree committee will provide information in a timely manner to residents about all aspects of tree care including the latest techniques and procedures currently being practiced. The practice of tree topping is prohibited on all public trees and is strongly discouraged as a tree care practice for private trees. Proper pruning with branch removal at branch or trunk junctures is the best practice for limb removal. (Ord. #521, March 2018)