Milwaukee has one of the largest urban forests in the region, and a lot of it belongs to the city. Before you trim or remove a tree near the street, it helps to know who's responsible. This is general guidance. Always confirm with your municipality.
Private Trees vs. City Trees
Private trees grow on your lot and are your responsibility to maintain.
City (street) trees grow in the public right-of-way, usually the grass strip between the sidewalk and the curb. In the City of Milwaukee these are maintained by the Department of Public Works Forestry section.
Working on a City Tree
- Don't prune, remove, or damage a street tree without city permission.
- Report dead, broken, or hazardous street trees to the City at 414-286-CITY.
- If a city tree falls on your property in a storm, contact the city and your insurer.
Removing a Tree on Your Own Property
For a tree fully on private residential property in the City of Milwaukee, a permit is generally not required. It's still your responsibility to protect neighbors' property, sidewalks, and utilities. Hiring an insured crew for tree removal protects you if something goes wrong.
Utilities and 811
- Overhead lines: never prune near energized wires. We Energies handles line clearance.
- Underground lines: Diggers Hotline (811) must be called before stump grinding or digging.
Suburbs Have Their Own Rules
Wauwatosa, West Allis, Brookfield, Greenfield, and other communities set their own ordinances. See our service area pages for local notes on each city, or ask us during your estimate.
Dead Ash Trees
Many dead or dying ash trees in the area are the result of emerald ash borer. Read the emerald ash borer guide for what to do.
