Pruning City Street Trees: Don’t Do It Yourself

Pruning of city street trees can only be performed by City of Rockville forestry crews or by an official city tree-care contractor. Do not prune them yourself or hire a contractor to prune or remove city trees.

The city is obligated under the Maryland Roadside Tree Law, as administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, to maintain trees within the public right of way. As a public agency, Rockville is regulated by the Roadside Tree Blanket Permit that is issued to the city annually.

Maintenance includes pruning, removing hazardous or dead trees, and plantings.

Tree care performed on a roadside tree without a permit, or unauthorized plantings within city rights of way, can lead to a fine or action from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. Rockville’s Code Enforcement Division may additionally issue a notice of violation or fines.

Questions about the health or pruning of city street trees, and requests for tree inspections by the city forester, can be directed to the Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division at 240-314-8700.