Mountain View Neighborhood Association

Ordinance Corner

Nov 17, 2002

For a complete listing of the City of Vancouver's ordinances go to www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/vmc/vmc.htm For questions or concerns, call code enforcement at 735-8873 ext. 8711

Topping vs. Pruning:
The Easiest Way to Ruin Your Landscape

Like the guidelines for displaying the American Flag this month's Ordinance Corner does not have a strict city ordinance that covers it. The ordinance that comes closest deals only with trees in public places, but it's good to apply to our own yards as well.

Section 12.04.110 Abuse or mutilation of trees.

Except to abate a nuisance as defined herein, it shall be a violation of this chapter to damage, destroy or mutilate any tree, shrub or plant in a public parking strip or any other public place ... according to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. M-667 ?§ 11, 1963)

It should also be noted that just over the river in Portland an arborist will lose his permit to practice in that city if he does not follow these guidelines.

It is probably also a good idea for us to follow these guidelines in our own yards. For more information about topping alternatives go to...

http://www2.champaign.isa-arbor.com/consumer/topping.html