Oak Tree Removal in Montgomery County, MD

Tree problems in Montgomery County, MD that call for oak tree removal

1. 1

   Maryland's Roadside Tree Law

   Maryland's Roadside Tree Law, dating to 1914, requires a Roadside Tree Permit from the DNR Forest Service before anyone plants, prunes or removes a tree growing wholly or partly in a public road right-of-way, whether a homeowner, a company, a town or a utility. Projects in Montgomery County need an additional county permit. Work on roadside trees has to be done by, or under the direction of, a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert.

2. 2

   Your own trees: hiring a Licensed Tree Expert

   For trees on your property, Maryland law requires anyone doing commercial tree work to be a Licensed Tree Expert, certified by the DNR Forest Service through experience, education and an exam. Ask for the LTE license number along with insurance before you hire. Removing a single yard tree doesn't usually need a county permit, but development projects can trigger the county's forest conservation and tree canopy requirements.

3. 3

   Storms, derechos and county response

   The June 2012 derecho knocked down trees and power across the Washington region, and summer thunderstorms, tropical storm remnants and heavy wet snow still cause most of the county's tree emergencies. Tall tulip poplars and oaks in older neighborhoods like Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma Park and Kensington can come down across roads, lines and houses at once.