Indianapolis, IN · Marion County
Tree removal in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, any planting, pruning, removal or treatment of a tree in the public right-of-way, usually the lawn strip between the street and sidewalk, requires a permit, and street trees can't be removed without one. Trees in your yard are yours. Dead ash killed by emerald ash borer are the most common removal, and spring storms cause most emergencies.
Indianapolis planted ash heavily along streets and in yards, and emerald ash borer, first found in Indiana in April 2004, has killed most untreated ones. Dead ash dry out and become brittle, which makes them dangerous near houses and harder to remove safely the longer they stand.
AES Indiana prunes trees along its lines on a routine cycle with directional pruning that guides growth away from the wires, and it hauls away debris from routine trimming, leaving larger logs for the owner. Spring and summer storms, including straight-line winds, bring down silver maples, dead ash and Callery pears across the city.
Reviewed and updated
Ash borer, storms and street trees
Dead ash
Emerald ash borer has killed most untreated ash; dead ones are brittle.
Right-of-way permits
Any work on street trees needs a permit.
Spring and summer storms
Straight-line winds and severe storms snap and uproot trees.
Utility trimming
AES Indiana prunes along lines on a routine cycle.
Older neighborhoods, alleys and township lots
Older neighborhoods like Irvington, Broad Ripple and Meridian-Kessler have big trees on modest lots with alleys and overhead lines in back. Suburban lots in Marion County townships are larger, with more room for equipment but often fences and pools under the canopy.
Right-of-way permits in Indianapolis
- A permit is required for any tree planting, pruning, spraying, bracing, removal or treatment in the city right-of-way; street trees can't be removed without a permit.
- AES Indiana prunes trees along its lines on a routine cycle and generally leaves logs over four inches in diameter for the property owner.
Sources (checked 2026-10-03)
Rules change and details depend on your exact property. Confirm with the city or county before work starts. This isn't legal advice.
Dead ash: remove before it's brittle
Ash killed by emerald ash borer dry out quickly. Within a few years, limbs snap without warning and climbers can't safely tie into them, so crews switch to lifts or cranes. A dead ash over a house, garage, driveway or neighbor's yard is worth removing sooner rather than later.
If an ash still has most of its canopy, treatment can protect it. Once a third or more of the crown is gone, removal is usually the better choice.
Ash, maples, pears and Indiana's big hardwoods
- Ash
- Mostly dead unless treated
- Silver maple
- Brittle; frequent storm breakage
- Callery pear
- Splits at narrow forks; invasive
- Hackberry and oaks
- Common older shade trees
- Tulip poplar
- Indiana's state tree; very tall
AES Indiana and the lines
AES Indiana prunes along its lines on a routine cycle, using directional pruning that steers regrowth away from wires. After routine work, crews haul away debris and leave larger logs for the owner. Trees touching or close to lines are the utility's to address; don't let a regular crew work near energized lines.
Indianapolis services
For ash killed by emerald ash borer.
After spring and summer storms.
For silver maples over roofs.
After removal; call Indiana 811 first.
For split pears and declining trees.
Indianapolis tree questions
Do I need a permit to remove a street tree in Indianapolis?
Yes. Any work on a tree in the public right-of-way, including removal and pruning, requires a permit.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Indianapolis yard?
Generally not for a tree on your own private lot. HOAs and historic districts may have their own rules.
Should I remove a dead ash tree in Indianapolis?
Yes, if it can reach anything. Dead ash become brittle and drop limbs or fail without warning.
Will AES Indiana take away the wood after trimming?
After routine trimming, AES Indiana hauls away debris and generally leaves logs over four inches in diameter for the property owner.
What trees break most in Indianapolis storms?
Silver maples, dead ash and Callery pears are frequent failures.
When is the best time to remove trees in Indianapolis?
Winter for planned removals; immediately for dead trees threatening a house.
Calls are routed to independent local tree-service providers. How calling works
More local guides
Need tree help in Indianapolis?
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.