A.    For the purposes and uses of shade, health, comfort or ornament, it shall be right, proper and lawful for any person interested as owner, occupant, agent or holding or owning any legal or equitable interest in any real estate abutting and contiguous to any part or portions of any street or sidewalk in the city to plant, set out, grow and to perpetually cultivate and maintain any living tree for any or all of such purposes in, upon and along any such street or sidewalk in the city whereon or in such shade trees are usually set out and grown; provided, that the free use of the public streets and alleys of the city for travel shall not be interfered with or impeded.

    B.    It shall be likewise right, proper and lawful for such owner or agent to plant, place, grow and maintain groundcover, including grass and other vegetation, in the public right-of-way adjacent to the owners property and not otherwise improved. (Prior code § 31-1)