(a) A district may pay limited compensation to the owner of any citrus tree infected with citrus tristeza virus which is removed by the district or by the owner within 15 days after written notice of the infection to the owner by the district. The limited compensation shall not exceed the following payment schedule, with the age of the tree being conclusively established as of the time written notice of the infection is first given to the owner.

(b) The schedule of payments is as follows:

Age of trees

Maximum payment

1 year ........................

$ 5.00 per tree

2 years ........................

7.50 per tree

3 years ........................

10.00 per tree

4 years ........................

14.00 per tree

5 years ........................

17.50 per tree

6 years ........................

20.75 per tree

7 years or older ........................

25.00 per tree

(c) For the purposes of this section, the holder of the record title of the real property on which the trees are located shall be considered to be the owner of the citrus trees to whom written notice of infection is given.

(d) The written notice referred to in subdivision (a) shall be a written or printed document labeled “Notice of Infection,” addressed to the owner and informing the owner of the existence of the infected trees, their location, and that they should be removed forthwith.

(e) For the purposes of determining the age of infected citrus trees under this section, trees shall be considered one year old as of the January 1st succeeding the calendar year in which they are planted, and shall be deemed one year older on the January 1st of each succeeding year.

(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 44, Sec. 1. Effective June 3, 1991.)