How to Get the City to Remove a Tree

Trees, whether they are located on public or private land, can be hazardous. They can also be a nuisance. The question is: what can you do to get your city to remove them?

To get your city to remove a tree, you need to inform them of the potential danger, damage, or inconvenience that the tree is likely to cause to the public. Do so by writing to them, calling them, or contacting them via their website’s contact form. Make sure that you inform them of the reasons why the tree needs to be removed and the risks that come with non-removal. And don’t forget to accompany your request with photographic evidence that supports the legitimacy of your request. 

Here is what you need to know about how to get the city to remove a tree.

How do you request tree removal services from the city? 
You can request a tree removal service from the city by contacting them in any of the following ways.

• Get in touch with them via their call center. You can get the relevant telephone number from their official website.
  Write a letter to them.
• Fill out the contact form provided on their official city website
• Visit the city’s offices and submit your request in person. In such a case, they may still require you to put the request in writing. They may also give you a form to fill.

When contacting the city, you should make sure to provide them with the following details:

• The exact location of the tree 
• The approximate crown diameter, height and girth of the tree 
• The species of the tree 
• The exact reasons why the tree should be removed and the negative effects of failing to remove it
• Any evidence, like pictures, that might offer further insight on why the city needs to address your concerns urgently

When can a city remove a tree?
Generally, cities view trees as belonging to the community. This is so especially in cases where the tree is beyond a certain height, or it is considered to be of a significant girth. Therefore, they are usually reluctant to grant tree removal permits, let alone remove trees on their own.

However, they make exceptions for public or street trees that are:

• causing significant damage to private or city property 
• dangerous or which creates a hazardous condition
• create blindspots at intersections  
• poisonous or noxious trees 
• dead or dying 
• diseased and which pose a danger to neighboring trees 

Therefore, if the tree that you want to be removed falls under any of the above categories, and if it is a street tree or tree that is located on public land, then you can request the city to remove it.

 

Steps to getting a city to remove a tree

Step 1: Get the city's contact information 

The easiest way of getting the contact information of the relevant authority is to visit their website. On their website, you will find details on where their offices are located, their email address, and even relevant telephone numbers.

Write these details down on a piece of paper.

Step 2: Call 

Using the phone number that you found on their official website, call the city offices. Explain to the official on the other end why exactly the tree is a danger or a nuisance. Don't forget to give them details regarding the location, size, and species of the tree.

 

Step 3: Write 
Calling city officials is not enough. You need to leave a trail of evidence of your attempts at getting them to remove the tree in question.

Write a letter to the city detailing the reasons why you need them to remove the tree. Also, don't forget to remind them that you had called earlier.

 

Step 4: Take and attach photographs 
Take several pictures of the tree. Make sure that you capture multiple angles of the tree, including its surroundings. 

These photos should be able to convey the danger that the tree poses or how much of a nuisance it is. And they should accompany every communication with the city officials.

 

Step 5: Visit 
If the danger that the tree poses is imminent, you should consider making your request in person. You should also do so in case the city doesn't act after a week of making your initial request. 

When visiting your city's offices, always make sure that you arm yourself with a physical copy of the initial letter and any evidence that may help to corroborate your concerns.

 

Step 6: Follow up 
Like every other government bureaucracy, your city is likely to drag its feet when it comes to removing the tree. Therefore, making an initial request is never enough. You need to consistently make follow-ups. This may mean having to call them up to twice -- daily -- until they remove the tree.

 

Step 7: Get publicity 
If after persistent follow-ups nothing happens, then you can seek to publicize your complaint. 

Contacting a local newspaper, seeking the attention of social media influencers, or even gathering a few protesters to wave placards, are all effective means of applying pressure on the city.

 

Can the city remove a tree on private property?

Yes, the city can remove a tree that is on private property. This is so especially if the tree poses a danger to the public. It can also remove a tree if it is within a certain distance of power lines and if it threatens to interfere with the city’s utility.

The city can remove poisonous trees or trees that are on private property but which overhang public streets or public property. This is so especially if they impede visibility, damage city property, or show obvious signs of being a danger to passers-by.

Do you need a certified arborist’s report for the city to remove the tree?
No, you don’t need a report from a certified arborist for the city to remove a tree. All you need to do is to inform city officials of the nature of the danger, hazard, or inconvenience that the tree poses. 

However, if the reason for wanting the tree removed requires an expert’s input -- like it being diseased and thus posing a danger to neighboring trees -- then having a report from a certified arborist will definitely help your case.

 

How do you remove trees for free?
Getting the city to remove a tree is one of the easiest ways to get a tree removed for free. However, it is not the only path to free tree removal. 

Here are other ways through which a homeowner can get a tree removed without incurring any charge.

 

Notify the power company of encroaching trees 
Trees can interfere with power lines. They can damage them. And they can also make it dangerous for the power company's employees to do their job. As a result, power companies tend to be diligent about trimming and removing encroaching trees.

Therefore, if you have a tree that is next to a power line, you can get it removed for free by simply calling the power company and letting them know of the danger that the tree poses.

 

Advertise free wood 
A significant portion of people uses wood to heat up their homes. These people will be happy to cut and cart away the tree if you offer it for free. Therefore, putting up ads online, at laundromats, and in stores, can give you access to free tree removal services.

 

Contact a logging company 
Logging companies are usually happy to remove trees at no charge. This is because it gives them access to raw materials at little to no charge. And so provided you have enough trees to make it worth their while, they will be happy to remove them without requiring you to pay. 

In some cases, they can even pay you.

 

FAQ

Can I trim a street tree?
Yes, you can trim a street tree. However, you will need a permit from the city before you can be allowed to trim it. This is so especially if the tree is considered to be of significant stature.

However, you won’t need a permit to trim it if it poses an imminent danger to the public. If the tree is dead or dying, you can remove it even if you don’t have a permit.

 

Can you negotiate tree removal?
Yes, you can successfully negotiate tree removal. 

You can ask a tree removal company to give you a discount if you have a large number of trees that need to be removed. You can also negotiate lower charges if you offer to clean up the debris on your own, or if you make it easier to access the tree.

In some cases, you can even get a tree removed for free. This is possible in cases where you have a valuable tree and you let a logging company remove it. You can also get people who are in need of wood to remove a tree for free.

Other aspects of tree removal that you can negotiate include the timing of the removal, and the technique that should be used to remove it.

 

Can I remove a tree from my backyard?

Yes, you can remove a tree from your backyard. However, in most cases, you will need a permit from the city before you can legally remove the tree.