Tree Work Permit

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Landmark Building Alteration Permit to work on trees on landmark property

You can get an application for a tree work permit for:

Planting
Pruning
Decorating with lights
Placing tree guards
Removing City trees or tree stumps

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) may issue a permit following a review process. All tree work will be completed at the owner's expense by DPR-approved private contractors.

DPR will also issue permits for private contractors to perform work on street trees.

DPR does not issue permits for work on private property trees. If you live on a landmark preservation property check with that agency before doing any work to trees on your property.

Trees on Your Property

Property owners are responsible for knowing whether a tree is on their property or on the City's property. Homeowners should look at their title survey to check property lines before removing a tree or conducting any tree work on or around trees in their front yard.

Application

You can get a Tree Work Permit application online or by mail.

Online

Apply for a tree work permit.

Learn more about tree work permits.

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

The City provides tree guards for new street trees under very limited circumstances. Property owners are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the guards, unless they have been installed by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

If you are a property owner and want a tree guard around a City tree, you can make a donation toward guard installation to the New York Tree Trust, which is a fund managed by DPR. You can make the tax-deductible donation by calling (718) 760-4009.

You can also apply for a Tree Work Permit and, after DPR approval, hire a private contractor to install a tree guard or construct a tree guard on your own which complies with DPR standards.

For more information about the tree guard permitting process, send an email to Central.Forestry@parks.nyc.gov.

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