Will the City Arborist come out and look at my tree? 
The City Arborist generally does not evaluate trees on private property, although tree related questions will gladly be answered over the phone. It is recommended that you hire an arborist to evaluate your trees. Tips on how to hire an arborist. If the tree is located on City property, which includes trees growing on street rights-of-way, in parks, and on other city properties, you can make a maintenance call to 373-CITY (2489).

What does the City Arborist do?
The City Arborist, located in the Planning Department, implements the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance and is generally responsible for handling all planning aspects of the urban forest. More specifically, the Urban Forester:

• Reviews development plans for compliance of the tree preservation ordinance
• Receives and addresses complaints about public and private trees
• Coordinates with other departments on tree planting and maintenance
• Provides advice to businesses and residents about tree care
• Supports Greensboro Beautiful and other nonprofit organizations to promote trees and enhance the urban forest
• Works with the Advisory Commission on Trees to resolve conflicts related to trees
• Provides information and clerical support to the Advisory Commission on Trees
• Educates the public through brochures developed by organizations such as National Arbor Day foundation and the International Society of Arboriculture
• Conducts workshops to educate residents, City employees, local tree care companies, and others
• Applies and administers grants to help fund urban forestry projects

 Who do I call if I have a tree that needs work that is also on City property?
If the tree is on City property, which includes trees growing on street rights-of-way, in parks, and on other City properties, you may call 373-CITY (2489) to make a maintenance request. We'll take your request, and, after an inspection, we'll let you know what will be done and when. The City will only remove trees that are growing on City property and that are hazardous or at least 80 percent or more dead. The City does not generally prune or fertilize trees.

Can I get free trees from the City?
At this time, the City does not have a supply of trees available to the public.

What trees does the City work on?
We maintain trees growing on City property, including trees on street rights-of-way, in parks, and on other City properties. The City will remove trees that are growing on City property and that are hazardous or at least 80 percent or more dead. Street rights-of-way may vary, so if a tree close to the street needs attention, let us know. We'll evaluate the tree and determine if it is on the right-of-way. If the tree needs work and is on the right-of-way, we'll do the work at no charge to you. If the tree is not on the right-of-way, we'll let you know. We can't perform tree work on private property, so you'll need to hire an arborist.

I think my tree should be cut down. Will the City do that? 
The City will remove trees that are growing on City property and that are hazardous or at least 80 percent or more dead. A hazardous tree, as defined by the International Society of Arboriculture, must meet three criteria: 1) it has the size and weight to cause damage if it falls, 2) there is a target (the thing that would be damaged if the tree were to fall), and 3) it has a condition that makes it likely to fall. The City will inspect requests for tree removal on City property promptly, and, if the tree is found to be hazardous, City tree crews will remove the tree. If the entire tree is not hazardous, but maintenance work is required, we'll write a work order to perform this work. If we can find no evidence that the tree is hazardous, we'll let you know, and we'll monitor that tree to make sure that its condition doesn't change. We will not remove a tree because it is dropping leaves or acorns, because it's grown too large, or because it's not in the most desirable location.

 I've got a tree in my backyard that needs some work. Will the City do this work?
We can only work on trees that are growing on City property. For private tree work, you'll need to hire an arborist.

The trees along the street have grown up into the power lines, and I'm worried about power failure. Will the City prune these limbs?
The City does not prune trees for transmission line clearance due to Line Clearance Certification requirements. Contractors working for Duke Power Company perform this work. You can make a service request to Duke Power at (336) 634-4672. You may also contact a tree care company that is Line Clearance Certified. They will be able to perform work along power lines.

Can't anything be done about the way that the street trees are pruned under the power lines?
Line clearance pruning, while unsightly to many people, is necessary to ensure reliable power. The type of pruning that is used by Duke Power's line clearance contractors is called directional pruning and has been scientifically proven to be the best way to prune for line clearance and maintain the health of the tree. For more information about Duke Power Company's tree trimming philosophy, you can visit Duke Power's website. They have a clear explanation of the types of trimming they do and don't use.

The real answer to this situation is planting the right tree in the right place. This means that the type of tree to be planted is selected based on the location where it will be planted. The only trees that the City will plant under transmission lines are trees that will mature at 25 feet or less. This way, the trees won't need to be trimmed for line clearance. For more information on tree species, see the Recommended Tree Species List.

Will the City plant a tree in front of my house?
At this time the City does not have a street tree planting program.

Vegetation and low tree limbs make it difficult to see at an intersection. Can the City help?
The City can evaluate blind corners and sight distance problems to determine the best method to improve the situation. Let us know where the intersection is and we'll do our best to solve the problem. You can make a maintenance request by calling 373-CITY (2489).

My neighbor has a dead tree that could fall onto my house. What can be done about this?
These issues are considered private property matters. The City cannot get involved.

Can the City come out and pick up the debris from a tree that I trimmed?
The City can come an pick up debris but you should follow the rules below when preparing your yard waste for collection. Contact 373-CITY (2489).

CAN IT: You can use your own metal or plastic trash can, no larger than 32 gallons. Filled cans should weigh no more than 50 pounds.

BAG IT: Use heavy duty clear plastic bags. Filled bags cannot be heavier than 50 pounds.

BUNDLE IT: Tie in bundles not more than five feet long and no heavier than 50 pounds.

Will the City cut down a street tree so I don't have to rake leaves?
The City will not remove trees for this reason alone. The City will only remove trees that are dead or hazardous.

What can the tree preservation ordinance do?
The Greensboro tree preservation ordinance was adopted in 2001. The ordinance only applies to commercial, retail and multifamily development and requires developers to save a portion of trees on their property. This ordinance applies to properties in the City and not in the County jurisdiction. The ordinance was designed to allow developers to remove trees to allow them to develop their site, while also requiring them to keep some existing trees. Many times trees are saved around the edges of the property or in the rear of the property and are sometimes not obvious that they are trees the developer is required to save. Tree preservation areas are required to be protected with orange tree protection fencing or black silt fencing. The tree preservation ordinance does not apply to new single family subdivisions nor existing residences. Additionally, the ordinance does not apply to NCDOT roadway projects because the City has no jurisdiction over state road projects or Duke Power line clearance. Duke Power has the legal authority to perform its work. The City does not have authority to stop them. City of Greensboro staff enforces the tree preservation ordinance. Other organizations such as Greensboro Beautiful can be advocates and help educate residents but do not create or enforce ordinances. Every ordinance first has to be both supported and approved by City Council.