§ 26-9. Official town tree.

(a)

Established. The official town tree is the live oak ( Quercus virginiana ).

(b)

Removal or destruction. The removal or destruction of any live oak with a minimum height of three feet or one inch in diameter measured at one-half foot above the grade, within any residential district (R-1, R-2, R-3, SPD-20, SED-80, SPD-C), shall be prohibited except as allowed in subsection (c) of this section.

(c)

Removal where permitted. In any district outlined in subsection (b) of this section, live oaks may be removed only within the footprint of the principal building, required accessways, parking areas, utility installation sites, active septic areas, and accessory buildings.

(d)

Tree damage and replacement. Any tree not authorized to be removed by this section which is damaged during construction, or damaged occurring as a result of such construction, shall be dressed and patched according to accepted arboriculture and silviculture practices. Tree damage shall be repaired prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Any tree which is protected by this section which is destroyed shall be replaced with a similar size tree prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

(Code 1990, § 13-13)