2006 New York Code - Top Lopping Evergreen Trees.

 
  § 9-1113. Top lopping evergreen trees.
    Every  person  who  shall,  within any of the fire towns or within any
  fire  district  or  part  thereof  when  so  designated  by   department
  regulation,  fell  or  cause  to  be  felled  or permit to be felled any
  evergreen tree for sale or other purposes or  engage  in  salvaging  any
  blown  down evergreen tree shall cut off or cause to be cut off from the
  tree at the time of felling or  salvaging  the  tree,  unless  otherwise
  authorized  by  the  department before the trees are felled or salvaged,
  all the limbs thereof up to a point where the trunk of the  tree  has  a
  longest  diameter which does not exceed three inches, unless the tree be
  felled or salvaged for use with the limbs thereon.