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Chapter X. PRESERVATION OF TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY <br />X-X-XXX Purpose and intent. <br />The City of San Leandro lies in the East Bay along the San Francisco Bay shoreline, extending <br />east to the hills. It has been historically dotted with large majestic oaks, which fed many of the <br />native people, as well as coastal redwoods, ash, locust, and walnut trees. Much of the land was <br />home to orchards of fruit trees that many people relied upon for food and income. During the <br />development of the City, most of the original trees were cut down until only a few remained. It is <br />now recognized that the preservation of many of the original trees enhances the natural scenic <br />beauty, sustains long-term property values, which in turn encourages quality development, <br />maintains the original ecology, retains the original tempering effect of extreme temperatures, <br />creates the identity and quality of the City to visitors and increases the oxygen output of the area <br />which is needed to combat air pollution. For these reasons, the City finds that, in order to <br />promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the City, while at the same time <br />recognizing individual rights to develop private property in a manner which will not be <br />prejudicial to the public interest, it is necessary to enact regulations controlling the removal of <br />and the preservation of trees within the City. This Chapter does not apply to street trees or trees <br />in public rights of way the unauthorized removal or damage to which is strictly prohibited <br />pursuant to Chapter 5-2 of this Code. <br />X-X-XXX Definitions. <br />Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions contained in this section shall govern the <br />construction of this Chapter: <br />(a)“Protected Tree” shall mean any of the following: <br />(1)Any live woody plant having a single perennial stem of eighteen (18) inches or <br />more in diameter; <br />(2)Any multi-stemmed perennial plant having an aggregate circumference of forty <br />(40) inches or more measured four and one-half (4½) feet above the natural grade; <br />(3)Any tree of particular historical significance specifically designated by official <br />action; <br />(4)Any tree which is part of a Grove. <br />(b)“Director” shall mean the Public Works Director or his or her designee. <br />(c)“City Manager” shall mean the CityManageror his or her designee. <br />(d)“Topping” shall mean heading back of the crown and/or creating large stubs without <br />regard to form. <br />(e)“Grove” shall mean three (3) or more trees of any size which are part of an integral cover <br />with stems having an aggregate circumference of forty (40) inches or more measured four and <br />one-half (4½) feet above the natural grade.