Whenever trees are removed from any public street, avenue or planting strip, adequate replacement or payment for plantings in other public spaces shall be made by the person to whom permission for such removal was given; such replacement or payment shall be determined by the urban forester; and in consideration of permission to remove such trees, the permittee shall sign an agreement to plant or pay for the planting of such replacement trees.

Any person that removes or damages trees installed on city-owned property or public rights-of-way without permission from the urban forester shall pay the City for the replacement cost of the trees and/or replace such trees according to the following basal area formula: The basal area (square inches of a cross section area measured at twelve inches above the ground or tree stump if tree is removed at ground level) is calculated by multiplying the tree’s radius (half its diameter) by itself and multiplying that number by 3.14. Dividing the removed or damaged tree’s basal area by the basal area of the replacement trees will determine the number of replacement trees required. The minimum diameter of replacement trees shall be two inches measured at twelve inches above the ground.

The basal area formula and the cost to buy, plant and water replacement trees shall be the basis for the urban forester to determine the replacement cost of the removed or damaged trees.

If the site does not have sufficient space or an adequate irrigation system for the number of replacement trees required, the urban forester may have the trees planted in other public locations or serve a fine for the replacement cost of the trees.

Any person that removes or damages trees installed on city-owned property or public rights-of-way without permission from the urban forester can also be subject to Section 78-38-3 of the Utah State Code. (Ord. 08-17 (part), 2008)