While trees along the road are not owned by the city, we share in the maintenance of trees and branches to ensure safety for traffic and pedestrians.
Pruning
The city hires a contractor to prune trees along the street each year between November and March. We intend to prune each area once every 10 years, and as-needed in advance of street construction projects.
Pruning helps raise tree crowns, preserve and reinvigorate tree resilience and address sightline and safety concerns.
Our crews follow these guidelines:
- Woody shrubs and trees six inches in diameter and smaller are often removed within 6-10 feet from the street.
- Trees are pruned to provide 16-18 feet of clearance over the street, including reduction pruning to preserve and reinvigorate tree health.
- Vegetation on corners is maintained at a 2.5-foot maximum height for safety and visibility.
- Evergreens and hedges are pruned to the road edge to accommodate for the special challenges they pose. Evergreens grow symmetrically and do not respond well to one-sided pruning.
Removal
- Diseased or dead trees and trees that pose a risk are removed.
- Ash trees in the right-of-way are removed at the property owner’s discretion to manage Emerald Ash Borer.
How you can help
- Maintain hedges and existing evergreens at least six feet from the street.
- Don’t plant deciduous trees within 15 feet of the street.
- Don’t plant evergreens within 20 feet of the street.
Markings
The city marks trees with paint or tape to indicate removal, pruning or preservation.
- Orange paint or tape – removal
- Orange and white tape – pruning or cutting vegetation from the edge of the street
- Green tape – preserve
Contact us
Submit an online request or call 952-988-8407 to request an inspection of:
- Trees that pose a risk in the right-of-way
- Sightline issues along the street
- Diseased or infested elm, oak or ash trees
