How to Get the City to Trim or Remove a Tree

A tree near your property can provide shade, beauty, and a place to lean up against and read your favorite book. But sometimes, a tree near your home isn’t ideal, especially when it becomes a hazard.

Removing a tree costs $750 on average and is not the most DIY-friendly task. In special cases, you can avoid the strain on your bank account by having the city remove or trim the tree for free. Before assuming you can skip the bill, though, we’ll explain which projects may qualify—and which probably won’t.

Do Cities Remove Trees for Free?

Short answer? Yes, some cities, municipalities, and counties will remove or trim a tree for free, but there are some major caveats. 

First of all, tree removal laws and regulations differ depending on your state, city, or even county, so go ahead and pop into a local regulatory agency for a final determination. If they offer this service, they should provide you with a list of circumstances in which tree removal is performed by the city at no cost to you. There are just a few special scenarios in which this service applies.

When Does the City Remove or Trim a Tree for Free?

There are some situations that warrant free tree removal from the city. These scenarios are specific to certain cities, counties, and states. In other words, what constitutes a no-charge tree removal in San Antonio is likely quite different than in Minneapolis. Your first step is to contact the city to inquire about its rules and regulations. With that said, here are some common reasons why a city may remove or trim a tree for free. 

Local Vegetation Management Programs

Some cities institute local vegetation management programs, meaning that they plant trees and are responsible for any required maintenance, including removal. This process depends on the specifics of the program, as some are only responsible for planting and not maintaining trees. Check with the city to find out if any trees near your property were originally planted at the behest of a vegetation management program. Once confirmed, obtain permission from the city for removal and inquire about a no-cost service. 

It Belongs to the City

Beyond vegetation management programs, cities plant trees for many reasons, typically as part of a neighborhood beautification process. In these cases, you can petition the city to remove or trim the tree for free. There has to be sufficient reasoning for either, but trimming a tree is typically an easier sell than removal.

For the city to remove a tree, in this case, it has to present a danger to the homeowner or their property. Some examples include diseased trees spreading throughout the property and dangerously leaning trees. 

Overhanging Trees on Public Land

Most cities throughout the country require residents to notify them when there is a dangerous overhanging tree on public land, particularly when it touches or leans into a private residential space. If a public-facing tree is hanging over onto your land and causing a nuisance, at best, and a danger to your family, at worst, contact the city to inquire about a free trim and even a full removal. 

Dangerous Trees in Public Spaces

Photo: Barry Winiker / Getty Images / The Image Bank

What about leaning trees that pose a danger to city residents, but do not enter your property in any way? If a tree is in a public place like a roadway or park and poses some sort of danger, file a report and get it trimmed or removed. This process is fairly easy, as the tree is on public land, and you are making the request for reasons of public safety. Start by heading to a local regulatory office or find the appropriate form online. 

Disaster Preparedness Programs

If you live in a part of the country with regular occurrences of extreme weather, like hurricanes or wildfires, your city likely has a disaster preparedness program in place. These programs are funded by taxes and help with all manner of disaster relief, including removing potentially dangerous trees after a storm or another type of serious weather event. Find out if a program like this exists in your town by visiting the local forestry office, fire department, or even the city hall. Note: These programs are also usually limited to public trees.

For information on how to have a personal tree removal covered by homeowners’ insurance, speak with your specific company.

Near Power Lines

If the tree in question is growing perilously close to a power line, contact local city officials and inquire about free removal services. If the city cannot or will not comply, don’t give up hope. Next, contact the power company that built the power line in the first place. They don’t want a tree causing any outages in the neighborhood, so they may remove or significantly trim the tree on their own dime. Most power companies have contracts with tree specialists in the areas they serve.

How to Ask the City to Remove a Tree

Start by gathering some basic information about the tree, like its location and why it’s problematic. Snap some photos if you can. 

• If it poses a risk to power lines: Your best bet is to start by contacting your utility company. They often have a hotline and/or online forms where you can report a potentially hazardous tree. By law, utility companies must maintain vegetation around power lines, even if it’s on your property, so they’re usually prompt in responding to these types of inquiries.

• If it’s by a park, road, or other public place: Contact your local public works department, which may have a hotline or other resource for reporting potentially hazardous trees. You can also try googling how to report a hazardous tree in your area. Municipalities are usually quick to act if a tree poses a public safety risk.

• If it’s near your home: You can also contact public works if you’re concerned that a damaged city-owned tree poses a safety risk to your family. Be very clear that you think the tree is a safety hazard; this will motivate the city to move quickly. Check if your municipality has a tree warden, and if so, contact that person as well; tree wardens usually have additional expertise in tree health and tree management and may be more receptive to your concerns. If you’re worried about a diseased tree that could spread to the trees on your property, follow the same steps, but be prepared that the process may take longer, since the tree isn’t an immediate threat. On the flip side, if the diseased tree is on your property and poses a risk to trees on public land, it’s probably going to be difficult to get the city’s assistance. But some municipalities have programs to help homeowners with diseased trees, so it’s certainly worth asking. 

• Be a squeaky wheel: Especially if the tree isn’t posing an imminent problem, you may need to keep following up with the city in order to get a timely resolution. If you hit a roadblock, google around to see if there are any local tree advocacy groups or similar environmental nonprofits you could call for advice.

When Won’t the City Remove a Tree?

Short answer? If it doesn’t fall into one of the above categories, you are likely on your own with tree removal and will need to contact a local tree removal specialist. Here are some scenarios where the city is likely to refuse your request:

• Yard renovations: If you are adding some new landscaping components and a tree is in the way, that is on you. 

• Falling trees: If a tree falls right in front of your driveway, for instance, it is typically your responsibility to remove it, assuming it came from your property. If it came from your neighbor’s property, it may be their responsibility to remove it. However, unless it’s a tree on public property, it likely wouldn’t be up to the city. 

• Encroaching roots: If the roots from a large tree on your property encroach on public property, you have a case. However, if the roots threaten your barn or another structure on your property, the city is not going to help remove it. 

• Disease, death, and structural decay: Again, if a diseased tree on your property threatens other trees on public property, the city might remove it for free. In most cases, though, removing diseased, dying, or dead trees on private property falls on the homeowner.