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1. The street tree in front of my house needs to be pruned. Who should I call?

Community Services at 846-0444. All street trees are on a regular pruning schedule. Routine pruning is planned so that the crew can prune all the trees in a given geographic area at the same time. This is the most efficient and cost effective way to prune. Current funding limits routine, non-emergency, tree pruning to no more frequently than once every 11 years. If you feel your tree needs routine pruning, you can contact Community Services and the tree will be pruned in accordance with the schedule along with other trees in your neighborhood.


If there is some type of hazard, such as a cracked limb, or downed or leaning tree, staff will respond and inspect the tree and prune or remove the tree as needed to correct the hazard. Non-urgent pruning outside of the scheduled maintenance is only done on a time available basis. If the property owner wishes to have a tree pruned sooner, they may request a permit from Community Services to prune the tree.


City trees are pruned according to internationally accepted pruning guidelines that are designed to promote the health and safety of each tree. This means that the city will never "top" a tree, or simply cut off the top part of the limbs. If you believe a street tree is causing a problem with street lights, power lines, or other structures, call Community Services at 408-846-0444 to report the problem.

2. What are the repercussions if you trim or prune street trees without a permit?

We hope people do not take it upon themselves to prune street trees. Street tree pruning must be performed carefully by a trained and experienced arborist. If a person removes, tops or prunes street trees without permission from the city, they can be fined and they become liable for damages to the tree. So please contact the city for a permit prior to conducting any pruning on a street tree.

3. I need a tree stump removed, who does that?

The city contracts for stump grinding services once per year. Please call community Services at 408-846-0444 to request that your stump be included in our next stump removal contract.

4. My tree needs root pruning, who do I call?

Call Community Services at 846-0444. Root pruning is done once a year in the fall. This is the best time to prune roots for the health of the tree. Staff will take the information on your tree, and it will be put on the list for root pruning during the next root pruning cycle. See the section on sidewalks for further information.