Salt Lake City, UT · Salt Lake County
Tree removal in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, trees in the park strip between the sidewalk and street are public trees managed by the city's Urban Forestry program, so contact the city before pruning or removing one. Trees in your yard are yours. The September 2020 canyon windstorm, which toppled about 1,500 public trees, showed how irrigated shade trees fail in rare but violent east winds.
On September 8, 2020, hurricane-force winds roared out of the canyons and across the Salt Lake Valley. The city lost about 1,500 public trees from parks, the cemetery, park strips and medians, and an estimated 3,000 more needed repair, on top of private trees. Urban Forestry and contracted crews went block by block collecting fallen limbs and removing broken hangers. Within nine months, replanting had brought the public tree count above its pre-storm level.
Most of Salt Lake City's canopy is planted and irrigated in a semi-arid valley. Shallow, frequent watering keeps roots shallow, which is part of why so many big trees went over in 2020. Ash is common, and the city watches for emerald ash borer, already found as close as Oregon.
Reviewed and updated
Canyon winds, snow and irrigated trees
Canyon east winds
Rare, violent downslope winds like September 2020's topple irrigated trees across the valley.
Park-strip trees
Public trees managed by the city's Urban Forestry program.
Irrigation and shallow roots
Lawn-style watering keeps roots shallow; deep watering builds anchorage.
Wet spring snow
Snow on new leaves breaks limbs on maples and elms.
Maples, ash, elms and spruce
- Norway and silver maple
- Common shade trees; silver maples break in wind and snow
- Green ash
- Common; emerald ash borer would hit hard
- Siberian elm
- Weak-wooded and invasive
- London planetree and honeylocust
- Common street trees
- Blue spruce
- Catches wind and snow; drought stress
What the 2020 windstorm taught the city
The September 2020 storm took down about 1,500 public trees and damaged around 3,000 more. Crews spent months collecting limbs and removing hangers, and the city replanted aggressively: within nine months, it had more public trees than before the storm.
For homeowners, the lessons were practical: big, top-heavy trees on shallow irrigated roots went over first; trees with weak forks and dead limbs lost them; and properly pruned trees with deep roots fared better.
Park-strip trees and city rules
- Park-strip, median and park trees are public trees managed by Salt Lake City's Urban Forestry program; contact the city before pruning or removing one.
- Trees on your own lot are your responsibility; utilities may trim trees near lines to keep them clear, as Utah's Division of Public Utilities explains.
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.
The Avenues, Sugar House and the east bench
Older neighborhoods like the Avenues and Sugar House have mature trees close to houses, with park strips out front and alleys or narrow drives. East bench lots climb toward the mountains, where wind exposure is highest and slopes complicate access.
Making trees more wind-firm
- Water deeply and less often, moving drip emitters outward as the tree grows.
- Thin dense crowns lightly and reduce long, heavy limbs over the house.
- Remove Siberian elms and failing silver maples near structures.
- Have large ash checked; if emerald ash borer arrives, treatment decisions will come fast.
Salt Lake City services
After canyon wind events and wet snow.
For maples and elms over roofs.
For wind-damaged or decaying trees.
After removals.
Salt Lake City tree questions
Who owns the tree in my park strip in Salt Lake City?
Park-strip trees are public trees managed by the city's Urban Forestry program. Contact the city before pruning or removing one.
How many trees did Salt Lake City lose in the 2020 windstorm?
About 1,500 public trees, with roughly 3,000 more damaged, plus many private trees.
Why did so many trees blow over in 2020?
Hurricane-force canyon winds hit irrigated trees with shallow root systems and big crowns. Deep, less frequent watering helps trees anchor.
When should I prune trees in Salt Lake City?
Late winter to early spring for structural pruning, before new leaves catch wet spring snow.
Can Rocky Mountain Power trim trees on my property?
Utah's Division of Public Utilities says customers must allow reasonable trimming to keep lines clear. Contact the utility about trees near lines.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Salt Lake City yard?
Generally not for a tree on your own lot, but park-strip trees are the city's, and historic districts or HOAs may have their own rules.
Calls are routed to independent local tree-service providers. How calling works
More local guides
Need tree help in Salt Lake City?
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.