Midwest region
Tree removal and tree care in Nebraska
Nebraska's biggest tree issues are emerald ash borer, first confirmed in Omaha's Pulaski Park on June 9, 2016, and pine wilt, which has killed many Scots and Austrian pines since 2000. Early snow is the storm Omahans remember: the October 25–26, 1997 storm dropped heavy wet snow on leafed-out trees and cut power to about 150,000 in Omaha.
City guides in Nebraska
When emerald ash borer was confirmed in Omaha in 2016, Nebraska became the 27th state with the pest. Ash were planted widely across the state, and the cost of removing and replacing them has been projected in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Dead ash become brittle, so planned removal beats waiting.
Pine wilt, caused by a nematode carried by the pine sawyer beetle, has killed thousands of Scots and Austrian pines in eastern and south-central Nebraska. And early snow is the Nebraska storm that breaks trees: in October 1997, more than a foot of heavy wet snow on leafed-out trees shredded Omaha's canopy.
Reviewed and updated
Ash borer, pine wilt, snow and wind
Emerald ash borer
Confirmed in Omaha on June 9, 2016; ash decline and turn brittle.
Pine wilt
Kills Scots and Austrian pines across eastern and south-central Nebraska.
Early and late snow
October 1997: heavy wet snow on leafed-out trees shredded Omaha's canopy.
Wind and ice
Plains storms break brittle trees.
Ash, pines, maples, oaks and cottonwoods
- Ash
- Emerald ash borer; treat or remove
- Scots and Austrian pine
- Pine wilt; replace with other species
- Silver maple
- Brittle; snow breakage
- Bur oak
- Tough, long-lived native
- Eastern cottonwood
- State tree; huge, heavy limbs
Omaha guidance
Omaha's guide covers the city's ash losses since emerald ash borer was found in 2016, the October 1997 snowstorm, pine wilt and how to prepare trees for early snow.
Emerald ash borer, the 1997 snowstorm and street trees.
Nebraska's snow and storm calendar
Snow on leafed-out trees in October and April does the most damage, as Omaha learned in 1997. Spring and summer bring wind and hail; late winter is the time to reduce weak limbs and remove pine-wilt pines.
- October and April
- Snow on leafed-out trees
- Spring–summer
- Severe storms and wind
- Late winter
- Remove pine-wilt-killed pines before beetles emerge
Nebraska tree rules
- Nebraska has no statewide permit for removing trees on private residential lots; cities manage street trees.
- Emerald ash borer was confirmed by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in Omaha on June 9, 2016.
- Nebraska Extension recommends removing pine-wilt-killed pines and destroying the wood before beetles emerge.
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.
Nebraska services by risk
For ash killed by emerald ash borer and pine-wilt pines.
After early snow and wind.
Reducing weak limbs before snow season.
After removal.
Ash in Nebraska: treat, remove or replace
Healthy, valuable, near the house
- Usual choice
- Treat
Thinning crown, under a third lost
- Usual choice
- Treat or plan removal
A third or more of the crown dead
- Usual choice
- Remove
Dead
- Usual choice
- Remove promptly; it's brittle
Nebraska tree questions
When did emerald ash borer reach Nebraska?
It was confirmed in Omaha's Pulaski Park on June 9, 2016, making Nebraska the 27th state with the pest.
What happened in Omaha's October 1997 snowstorm?
More than a foot of heavy wet snow fell on trees still in leaf, shredding the canopy and cutting power to about 150,000 in Omaha.
Why are Scots pines dying in Nebraska?
Pine wilt, caused by a nematode spread by the pine sawyer beetle.
Should I treat or remove my ash in Nebraska?
Treat healthy, valuable ash; remove declining ones before they turn brittle.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Nebraska?
Not statewide for private yard trees; check your city for street trees.
Is the cottonwood a good yard tree?
It's the state tree, but it grows huge with heavy limbs; give it room away from houses.
Need tree help in Nebraska?
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.