Dead Tree Removal in Austin, TX

Trees 19 inches in diameter (measured 4.5 feet above ground) and larger are protected; removing one requires a permit from the City of Austin. Heritage trees, 24 inches and larger of listed species such as live oak, pecan and Texas ash, get additional protection: removal generally needs strong justification (dead, an imminent hazard, or confirmed disease) and mitigation.

Live oak: dominant, long-lived; oak wilt spreads through root grafts Texas red oak: highly susceptible to oak wilt Cedar elm: common native; ice breakage

Endemic in Central Texas; red oaks die fast, live oaks spread it through roots. Pruning timing and wound paint matter.

West Austin trees have shallow roots and suffer badly in droughts.

Large trees are regulated, so removals often start with a permit application, not a crew.

West Austin lots are often sloped and rocky, limiting equipment and making stump grinding harder. Central neighborhoods have large heritage oaks close to older homes, where crane or carefully rigged work is common.