UFA, DDOT: Planting, Pruning, & Removal
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Urban Forestry Administration, DDOT

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Tree Guidelines

Street Tree Planting, Pruning, and Removal 

The Urban Forestry Administration's primary mission is to plant and maintain the city's street trees. Street trees are those located between the curb and the sidewalk. UFA also clears fallen trees and limbs that impede vehicle passage through alleys. UFA does not conduct work on private property trees.

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Street Tree Planting

UFA plants approximately 4,000 street trees each year from October through April. Residents may request a tree for an existing, empty tree box or continuous planting strip (grass strip) in front of their residence or trees for an entire block by calling 311. All planting requests must arrive before June 15th to be processed for the upcoming fall/winter planting season.

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Street Tree Pruning

UFA prunes the District's street trees to maintain the trees overall health, form, and safety of the area around the tree. UFA also prunes to give clearance over sidewalks and roadways, followed by minor roadways, alleys (to allow passage for sanitation and emergency vehicles), and pedestrian walkways. UFA inspects any street trees that may have fallen on homes or vehicles and will clear them in a timely manner.

Private property trees that fall into public space are the owner's responsibility to clear within 24 hours.

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Street Tree Removal

UFA removes trees that are dead, dying/diseased, or unsafe (those that have structural and/or root defects which cannot be corrected).

UFA removes trees in a three part process:

  1. Removal of the top or the branches of the tree known as the "crown"
  2. Removal of the trunk or the main stem of the tree
  3. Removal of the stump is a separate visit after the trees has been cut down. If a stump is not removed, residents are encouraged to call 311.

UFA follows this removal sequence because of the different equipment needed for each part of the tree.

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« Return to the main page for the Schedule of Tree Services.