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 planting strip or any other public place, or to attach or place any rope or wire (other than one used to support a young or broken tree), sign, poster, handbill, or other thing to or on any tree growing in a public place, or to cause or permit any utility wire to come in contact with any such tree, or to allow any gaseous, liquid, or solid substance which is harmful to such trees to come in contact with their roots or leaves; providing, however, that nothing contained herein shall preclude either the owner or occupant of real property from trimming or removing trees, shrubs and plants in the planting strip of such real property in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. For the purpose of this chapter, the term “mutilate” shall have the ordinary meaning and include excessive pruning or trimming which substantially alters the natural shape or habit of a tree, but shall not refer to the removal of dead or damaged branches. [Ord. 3000 § 12, 1994; Ord. 1532 § 11, 1972; Code 1970 § 12.12.120.]