Columbus, OH · dead trees
Dead tree removal in Columbus
In Columbus, most dead trees are ash killed by emerald ash borer, which moved through Franklin County years ago. A dead street tree between the sidewalk and curb is a public tree: removing it, or even grinding its stump, needs a Forestry permit applied for by an ISA Certified Arborist, whatever its condition. A dead tree entirely on your lot needs no city permit.
Columbus at a glance
- Common dead trees
- Ash killed by emerald ash borer
- Street trees
- Forestry permit required even if dead; no application fee
- Private trees
- No city permit
- Who applies
- The tree company's ISA Certified Arborist
Reviewed and updated
Dead ash across Columbus
Emerald ash borer swept through Franklin County years ago, and untreated backyard ash are now dead or nearly so. Dead ash dry out and become brittle quickly; limbs drop without warning and climbers can't rig from them. Removing a dead ash on your schedule is safer and cheaper than waiting for a storm to bring it down.
Dead street trees still need a permit
Columbus requires a Forestry permit for any project that removes, prunes, grinds the stump of or works within the critical root zone of a public tree, and street trees always need one regardless of condition. The tree company's ISA Certified Arborist submits the application. There's no application fee, though replanting or a mitigation fee may be required.
Columbus dead trees: what a homeowner can safely do
Safe for a homeowner
- Keep people out of the area the tree could reach if it fell (about its height in every direction).
- Look at neighboring trees of the same species. Pests like emerald ash borer spread.
- Use local firewood only; don't move it long distances.
Leave these to professionals
- Don't climb a dead tree to cut it.
- Don't leave a dead tree that can reach the house standing into hurricane, ice or thunderstorm season; dead wood only gets weaker.
Columbus ash trees: why dead ones get harder to remove
Emerald ash borer moved through central Ohio years ago, and many ash trees that died then are still standing. Dead ash dries out and turns brittle faster than many species, so a tree that was safe to climb a few seasons ago may now need a lift or crane, and limbs can snap off under a crew's rigging. That's why quotes for long-dead ash often come in higher than for a live tree of the same size.
If you have a dead ash near the house, a driveway or a line, waiting rarely makes the job cheaper or safer.
Callery pears and storm-killed trees
Besides ash, Columbus sees many dead or dying Callery pears in subdivisions, often after splitting at their narrow forks, and trees killed or broken in summer derechos like 2012's. A pear that has split badly usually can't be saved.
Taking down a brittle dead ash
- 1
Confirm it's dead
An arborist checks for live tissue and looks for the cause, which matters if nearby trees of the same species are at risk.
- 2
Choose the method
Bucket truck, crane or controlled felling instead of climbing, when the wood is too weak to trust.
- 3
Remove
Sections are taken down or the tree is felled in a planned direction.
- 4
Dispose properly
Wood from trees killed by invasive pests may be subject to firewood movement rules. Don't haul it across county or state lines.
After a Columbus dead tree
After removal; for street trees, under the Forestry permit.
For split pears and other declining trees.
If the dead tree already broke in a storm.
Getting a Columbus dead-tree quote you can compare
Ask each company for the same scope in writing: the tree's location and size, whether the stump is ground, whether wood is hauled or left in rounds, and whether a lift or crane is included. Dead trees near lines or over the house cost more because of rigging and risk, so a low quote that leaves out rigging or cleanup isn't really cheaper. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation before work starts.
Columbus dead tree questions
Do I need a permit to remove a dead street tree in Columbus?
Yes. Street trees always need a Forestry permit, regardless of condition, applied for by the tree company's ISA Certified Arborist.
Does Columbus regulate removing a dead tree on private property?
No. Trees entirely on your private lot don't need a city permit.
Why are so many ash dead in Columbus?
Emerald ash borer moved through Franklin County years ago and killed untreated ash.
How fast does a dead ash become unsafe to climb in Columbus?
Yes, if it can reach anything. Dead ash become brittle and drop limbs without warning.
Can I grind the stump of a removed street tree myself?
Grinding a public tree's stump needs a Forestry permit too.
Will I have to replace a street tree I remove?
Replanting or a mitigation fee may be required with the Forestry permit.
How much does dead tree removal cost in Columbus?
It depends on size, access and lift or crane needs. See the tree removal cost guide.
Who removes dead trees near me in Columbus?
Insured tree companies with an ISA Certified Arborist for permit work. You can call us to reach an independent provider.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Columbus Recreation and Parks: Urban Forestry (checked 2026-10-03)
- AEP Ohio: Outages and problems (checked 2026-10-03)
Dead tree removal in Columbus
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.