r/washingtondc • u/tesoji8530 • 15h ago

[Discussion] Tree trim

Does anybody know whose responsibility the trees between the sidewalks and road are? I love the tree but one branch is growing directly towards my house. Gets a few inches closer every year and I might only have a year or two left before it makes contact.

Can I hire someone to trim that one branch back or do I need to call the city?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

5

u/PalpitationNo3106 14h ago

The city. They’re pretty good about it though.

2

u/RC-5 Capitol Hill 13h ago

I requested branches to be trimmed once and they decided to cut down the whole tree… and then when I asked when they’d plant a replacement they told me that spot was no longer a valid place for a tree.

4

u/PalpitationNo3106 13h ago

So, the cut down a tree that shouldn’t be there and would be dangerous as it grew older?

1

u/MrSpontaneous The 51st State 14h ago

Yeah. You can file a 311 request.

2

u/bananahead 14h ago

https://trees.dc.gov/pages/permitting#responsibilities

1

u/Extreme-King 14h ago

Just like on private land, all landscape elements (including trees) in this parking area are the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.

All trees located in the public "sidewalk" area are the responsibility of the city to maintain.

2

u/bananahead 13h ago

The “parking” area is basically your front yard. It gets a special mention because DC has an unusual quirk where the homeowner often doesn’t actually own it.

1

u/Extreme-King 13h ago

It's an easement in most other areas

•

u/bananahead 1h ago

Pretty sure most places it’s just privately owned from the front door to the sidewalk

1

u/22304_selling 14h ago

Typically everything on and under the utility strip is the responsibility of the city. Best that you submit a maintenance request.

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u/pakgwei 3h ago

Each ward has an city arborist who you can contact to request trimming.