Index of Terms

The following is an index of terms regarding oak trees. The source is noted in parenthesis.

Cutting (Ordinance): The detaching or separating, either partial or whole, from the protected tree, any part of the tree including but not limited to any limb, branch, root, or leaves. Cutting shall including pruning and trimming.

Damage (Ordinance): Any action undertaken which causes or tends to cause injury, death, or disfigurement to a tree. This includes, but is not limited to, cutting, poisoning, burning, over-watering, relocating, or transplanting a protected tree, changing or compacting the natural grade within the protected zone of a protected tree, changing groundwater levels or drainage patterns, or trenching, excavating, or paving within the protected zone of an oak tree.

Deadwood (Ordinance): Limbs or branches that contain no green leaves or live tissue. A tree or limb may be considered dead if it does not show evidence of any green leaves or live branches over the span of one year, inclusive of prime growing weather.

Dripline (Ordinance): The outermost edge of the tree’s canopy. When depicted on a map on the ground, the dripline will appear as an irregularly shaped outline that follows the contour of the furthest extension of the limbs and leaf canopy.

Encroachment (Ordinance): Any intrusion into the protected zone of an oak tree which includes, but is not limited to, pruning, grading, excavating, trenching, dumping of materials, parking of vehicles, placement of incompatible landscaping or animal corrals, storage of materials or equipment, or the construction of structures, paving, or other improvements. For purposes of this section, encroachment shall not include the action of a person physically entering the protected zone of an oak tree.

Heritage Oak Tree (Ordinance): Any oak tree measuring 108 inches or more in circumference or, in the case of a multiple trunk oak tree, two or more trunks measuring 72 inches each or greater in circumference measured 4½ feet above the natural grade surrounding such tree. In addition, the Planning Commission and/or City Council may classify any oak tree regardless of size as a heritage oak tree if it is determined by a majority vote thereof that such a tree has exceptional historic, aesthetic, and/or environmental qualities of major significance or prominence to the community.

Oak Tree (Ordinance): Any oak tree of the genus Quercus including, but not limited to, Valley Oak, California Live Oak, Canyon Oak, Interior Live Oak, and Scrub Oak regardless of size.

Oak Tree Ordinance : Ordinance No. 89-10 passed by the City Council on April 25, 1989 . This ordinance repealed the previous Oak Tree Ordinance (No. 88-46).

Oak Tree Preservation Guidelines (Ordinance): The policy established by the City Council, and the administrative procedures and rules established by the Planning Director for the implementation of this ordinance.

Protected Zone (Ordinance): A specifically defined area totally encompassing an oak tree within which work activities are strictly controlled. Using the dripline as a point of reference, the protected zone shall commence at the point 5 feet outside of the dripline and extend inwards to the trunk of the tree. In no case shall the protected zone be less than 15 feet from the trunk of an oak tree.

Removal (Ordinance): The physical removal of a tree or causing the death of a tree through damaging, poisoning, or other direct or indirect action.

Routine Maintenance (Ordinance): Actions taken for the continued health of an oak tree such as insect control spraying, limited watering, fertilization, deadwooding, and ground aeration. For the purposes of this ordinance, routine maintenance shall not include pruning.

Oak Tree Structural Types (Open Space Plan): Oak trees are generally grouped into one of three structural types; oak savannas, oak woodlands, and oak forests.

Oak Savanna : Of the three structural types, Oak Savannas are the most spacious with oak trees scattered far apart from each other over the landscape. They are generally located in the driest and warmest environments at the lowest elevations of the three oak structural types.

Oak Woodland : Of the three structural types, Oak Woodlands have a greater tree density than Oak Savannas but are less dense than Oak Forests. Individual oak canopies may touch, but rarely overlap those of other oak trees. Oak Woodlands are generally found in higher elevations and in cooler, moister environments than Oak Savannas.

Oak Forest : Oak Forests are characterized by deep, overlapping canopies that produce constant shade. Forests are generally associated with upland slopes, or with streams and rivers at any elevation where the environment is very moist and relatively cool.

 

Return to the Main Menu

*Some of these documents are in Adobe Acrobat Reader format;
if you don't have the Reader, it can be downloaded for free.