Richmond, VA · Independent city County
Tree removal in Richmond, Virginia
In Richmond, the tree between the sidewalk and the street belongs to the city. Pruning or removing it needs a permit approved by a City Arborist, with the work done by an insured tree company at your expense, or a request through RVA311. Private trees generally need no city permit.
Hurricane Isabel in September 2003 brought gusts of only about 73 mph to Richmond, below hurricane strength, yet it knocked down tens of thousands of trees across central Virginia and left most of the region without power, some for weeks. Soaked soil and full summer canopies did the damage. Since then, tropical remnants, summer thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes have kept storm risk the main reason Richmond trees come down.
The Fan, Museum District, Church Hill and Northside have mature street trees in narrow planting strips, often over overhead lines. Many of those trees are city-owned, and Richmond's Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Division decides what can be done to them.
Reviewed and updated
City trees, private trees and the permit
- All work on public trees must be done by the city or under a permit. A property owner who wants a city tree pruned or removed applies for a permit, reviewed and approved or denied by a City Arborist.
- Permitted work on city trees must be performed by an insured tree company, at the owner's expense.
- Hazardous public trees can be reported to the city arborist through RVA311.
Sources (checked 2026-10-01)
Rules change and details depend on your exact property. Confirm with the city or county before work starts. This isn't legal advice.
Requesting work on a Richmond street tree
- 1
Report it or request it
Use RVA311 to ask for an inspection, or to report a public tree that's a hazard to cars or pedestrians.
- 2
If you want it done sooner
A tree company can apply to DPW Urban Forestry for a permit to prune or remove the city tree at your expense; a City Arborist approves or denies it.
- 3
Use an insured company
Permitted work on public trees must be done by an insured tree company.
- 4
Don't cut roots without asking
Sidewalk and driveway work that cuts a street tree's roots can damage a city tree; check with Urban Forestry first.
Willow oaks, tulip poplars and crape myrtles
- Willow oak
- Lines the Fan and Monument Avenue area; huge crowns in small planting strips
- Tulip poplar
- Very tall; can shed big limbs in storms
- Red maple and silver maple
- Common yard trees; storm breakage
- Loblolly pine
- Wind and bark beetle risk on wooded lots
- Crape myrtle
- Widely planted under lines; often over-pruned
Crape myrtles: stop the annual chop
Crape myrtles are planted all over Richmond, and many are cut back to the same knobs every winter. That severe topping, often called "crape murder", produces clusters of thin, weak shoots that bend and break under their flowers and in storms, and leaves the knobs open to decay.
A crape myrtle that's too big for its spot is usually better replaced with a smaller variety. Otherwise, remove crossing, dead and suckering stems at the base and let it keep its natural shape.
Isabel, thunderstorms and tight planting strips
Tropical storm remnants
Isabel (2003) showed that long, soaking wind events topple big trees even below hurricane strength.
Summer thunderstorms
Downbursts break limbs and uproot trees in saturated soil.
Narrow planting strips
Street trees in small strips have limited root space and often lift sidewalks.
Ice and wet snow
Winter storms periodically break limbs, especially on Bradford pears and maples.
Row houses, alleys and Dominion lines
Row houses and narrow lots in the Fan and Church Hill mean many backyard removals are done by climbers and rigging, with wood carried out through alleys. Dominion Energy clears trees from its lines; street trees under lines are pruned to keep clearance.
Richmond services
Climbed and rigged removals on narrow Fan and Church Hill lots.
Cleanup after tropical remnants and thunderstorms.
Permitted pruning of city trees and private oaks.
Big oaks and tulip poplars over houses.
After removals, including in tight backyards.
Richmond tree questions
Can I pay a company to prune the city tree in front of my Richmond house?
Yes, with a permit. Apply to DPW Urban Forestry; a City Arborist reviews the request, and the work must be done by an insured tree company at your expense.
Who do I call about a dangerous street tree in Richmond?
Submit a request through RVA311 or call 311. For an immediate hazard to cars or pedestrians, say so in the request so the city arborist can prioritize it.
Why do Richmond's trees fall in storms that aren't hurricanes?
Soil saturation and full summer leaves. Isabel's gusts in Richmond were around 73 mph, but after days of rain, big trees with leaves on uprooted by the tens of thousands.
Calls are routed to independent local tree-service providers. How calling works
More local guides
Need tree help in Richmond?
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.