§ 15-277. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Arborist shall mean a qualified professional, employed by the County, with experience in the field(s) of landscape architecture, arbor science, forestry, or other related field.

Caliper shall mean a measurement of the size of a replacement tree at a predetermined point. Trunk diameter for trees up to four (4) inches is to be measured six (6) inches above the soil line. Trees four (4) inches in diameter and greater will be measured twelve (12) inches above the soil line.

Canopy tree shall mean a species of tree which normally grows to a mature height of forty (40) feet or more.

Champion tree shall mean any tree that has been designated as the largest tree of its species in the state of Florida as measured by trunk diameter at breast height and crown diameter. These may include any species not listed on the restricted stock list.

Clearing shall mean the removal of a tree by digging, pushing or cutting, burning, or having the effect of removal through damage. Soil disturbance such as root raking or compaction shall also be considered clearing, if trees or their root systems are damaged in the process.

Conservation areas shall mean lands which have unsuitable or nonrated soils, wetland vegetative species, are seasonally flooded and perform an environmental function, as described in the county's comprehensive policy plan.

Developable area shall mean the gross land area of a site excluding natural surface waterbodies and designated conservation areas.

Diameter at breast height (DBH) shall mean a measurement of the size of a tree equal to the diameter, in inches, of a tree measured at four and one-half (4½) feet above the existing grade. For multi-trunked trees, the DBH shall mean the cumulative diameter of the three largest trunks, measured two (2) feet above the existing grade.

Drip-line shall mean a vertical line from the horizontal extremity of the canopy of a tree to the ground. For trees with canopies set off-center from the trunk, an area bounded by the average diameter of the drip-line will be centered on the point at which the trunk of the tree is rooted.

Pre-existing lot shall mean any existing lot that is part of a preliminary subdivision plan approved prior to the adoption of this ordinance.

Preserved trees shall mean trees that are designated to remain after construction and count toward replacement requirements per this article.

Professional surveyor shall mean a person licensed by the State of Florida as a professional surveyor and mapper pursuant to Chapter 472, Florida Statutes.

Protected tree shall mean any tree, on the recommended stock list, which is identified in the protection zones as described in section 15-301(e). Unless exempted, all of these trees are subject to a tree removal permit per this article.

Replacement trees are trees planted to replace existing trees as required by section 15-283.

Residential lot trees shall mean trees that are required to be planted on residential lots per section 15-306. These trees are required to be a minimum of eight (8) feet tall and have a minimum caliper of two (2) inches and are to be selected from the recommended stock list in section 15-283(a).

Severely trimming shall mean the cutting of branches and/or trunk of a tree in a manner which will substantially reduce the overall size of the tree area so as to destroy the existing symmetrical appearance or natural shape of the tree. This includes trimming or cutting in a manner, which results in the removal of main lateral branches leaving the trunk of the tree in a stub appearance.

Specimen trees shall mean live oak and magnolia trees twenty-four (24) inches DBH or greater. Specimen trees shall also include Champion trees as defined in this article.

Tree shall mean any living, woody self-supporting perennial plant which normally grows to a minimum height of fifteen (15) feet.

Trees, stands of, shall mean a naturally occurring grouping of five (5) or more trees forming a canopy of vegetation which results in a single unified drip-line.

Understory tree shall mean a species of tree which normally grows to a mature height of fifteen (15) to thirty-nine (39) feet.

Zoning manager shall mean the manager of the Orange County Zoning Division or his/her designated arborist.

(Ord. No. Code 1965, § 19A-42; Ord. No. 85-33, § 3, 12-9-85; Ord. No. 91-29, § 2(Exh. A), 12-10-91; Ord. No. 2001-19, § 3, 11-6-01)