Forms 

City Tree Removal Request-Residential	Request the removal of a City street tree on private residential property (submitted by the property owner).
City Tree Removal Request-Public Space	Request the removal of a City tree in a city park or greenbelt (submitted by property owner(s) adjacent to the tree).
Tree Modification Permit Application	Request permission to prune a City tree on residential property. This permit is also used to request the removal or pruning of a private tree on property that is used for commercial, multi-family housing, or in a Homeowner’s Association public area.

City Tree Service Request

Pruning of City trees is usually performed on a 7-year schedule (please see the City tree maintenance webpage for details). In addition to the regularly scheduled tree maintenance, there may be conditions that warrant additional pruning and/or inspection, including:

• Removal of dead, damaged, and diseased branches
• Correction or removal of structural defects
• Restore the canopy after a catastrophic limb failure
• Reduce branch end weight

Customers can request an inspection or pruning for any City tree by submitting a City Tree Service Request. Service Requests can be submitted by contacting the City’s Urban Forestry Division at 530-757-5633 or CityTrees@CityofDavis.org.

Each City Tree Service Request that is submitted will be assessed by staff. The health of the tree, along with other considerations such as public safety and keeping the public right of way (including sidewalks, bike paths and roads) clear, as well as currently available resources will determine the pruning prescription for each request submitted. The focus of City tree pruning is the maintenance of tree health.

Construction/Renovation Work and Trees 

Does your project require tree work at a certain time? The City may not be able to meet requested deadlines on City Tree Service Requests.  If you need a City Tree pruned during a certain timeframe in order to get additional clearance around your building for projects such as house painting, roof replacement, or general remodeling, submitting a Tree Modification Permit Application (see below) may be the most efficient way to meet requested deadlines. 

If you are planning a remodel or any kind of construction project on your property, please note that considerations for the protection of existing City Trees will be included in City building and development permits approved for work on private property when construction may be near or could have an impact on City trees. 

Tree Modification Permits/Removal Requests

On May 21, 2024, the Davis City Council initiated the creation of a Tree Appeal Board, to move removal requests away from the Tree Commission, which has been dissolved (as of June 30, 2024). The specific details of this newly formed Board are being ironed out and are expected to be presented to City Council soon. This page will be updated with revised processes and new forms after Council takes action.

Tree Modification Permits are used in the following circumstances:

•  An approved Tree Modification Permit allows a customer (working with a certified privately hired arborist) to prune a City Tree on residential property. A tree modification permit may be a preferred option for residential homeowners that would prefer not to wait for the City to prune the tree. In some cases, a Tree Modification Permit may be used to allow the property owner to do additional pruning that would be beyond what the City would normally provide. 
• A Tree Modification Permit is required for pruning or removal of private trees in areas used for commercial, multifamily or in an HOA common area. 
• A Tree Modification Permit is also required to permit construction in an area that may impact a tree greater than 5 inches in diameter at breast height. 

With the submission of a Tree Modification Permit application, Urban Forestry program staff will evaluate the tree. Please note that it is not always possible to meet with staff when performing the evaluation. Residents interested in a Tree Modification Permit Application should submit the application to the City with the non-refundable fee (as of July 2024 the fee is $141). For questions, please contact the City’s Urban Forestry Division at 530-757-5633 or CityTrees@CityofDavis.org.

Submission of Permit Forms

Tree Modification Permit Application 

Tree Modification Permits are submitted by the property owner or their agent (such as an arborist), and can be sent in the following ways:

• Mail the permit application (along with the check for the fee) to: City of Davis Public Works Utilities and Operations Department, Attn.: Urban Forestry Manager, 1717 5th Street, Davis, CA 95616
• Email to the permit application to CityTrees@CityofDavis.org, and staff will call to take credit card payment information over the phone. 

A single Tree Modification Permit can be submitted by site, you do not need to submit an application for each tree under consideration. Once staff receives a completed Tree Modification Permit Application and payment, the City’s Urban Forestry Manager will review and either approve or deny the permit. Please note: time to review permits may vary based on staff resources. Customers will receive notification via email or mail with the status of their permit request.

City Tree Removal Requests

Requests for removals of City trees require a Tree Removal Request form (including the nonrefundable fee (as of July 2024 the fee is $62) to be submitted.

If it is determined by the Urban Forestry Manager that the tree is dead, or qualifies for removal under another pre-approved condition, the City will schedule the removal of the tree (which will be performed by city staff or a City contracted arborist) and a Tree Removal Request form is not needed.

Evaluations are not required before submitting a request. If you have questions regarding the process, tree conditions that are necessary for removals, or the permit, please contact the City’s Urban Forestry Division at 530-757-5633 or CityTrees@CityofDavis.org.

Submission of Applications or Requests

Residential City Tree Removal Requests must be submitted by the property owner. 

Applications submitted to remove Park or Greenbelt trees must be submitted by a property owner that neighbors the tree and must include signatures from other property owners to the north, west, east, or south of the tree’s location. If the customer is unable to get signatures from neighboring property owners, an explanation needs to be provided when submitting the application. 

Tree Removal Request forms can be sent in the following ways:

• Mail the permit application (along with the check for the fee) to: City of Davis Public Works Utilities and Operations Department, Attn.: Urban Forestry Manager, 1717 5th Street, Davis, CA 95616
• Email electronic copies to CityTrees@CityofDavis.org and staff will call to take credit card payment information over the phone.

Completed applications with payment will be processed.

Removal and Replanting

Tree Removal Process

If a tree is approved for removal and is no longer subject to appeal (10 days have passed since the decision was received), the tree will be added to the City list of trees to be removed by City staff or a City contracted arborist. Tree removals are conducted based on the established list, however priority removals (such as removals made necessary by large storm events) may delay removal timelines. In some cases, it can take a few months for a tree to be removed. 

About 1-2 weeks before the tree is removed, the ground around the tree will be marked for underground utilities (customers may see some spray paint or small flags on their property). 

Two days before the tree is removed, the City’s contractor will leave a door hanger at the property to notify the customer that the tree will be removed. Signs on the street designating ‘no parking’ will be posted in the area to ensure that the contractor has enough room for any necessary equipment. 

On the day of the removal, contract staff will attempt to make contact with the property owner (if present) by knocking on the door. It is requested that driveways are kept clear on the day of tree removal when possible. 

After the tree is removed, the stump will be ground down. This may be done on the same day as the removal, however this is generally done later (up to a few weeks later). The mulch from the stump will be left. 

City trees removed from a residential property are replaced by a new City tree in the next planting season. More information on planting is included below. Tree removals in parks or greenbelts may result in replanting at a different location.

Tree Planting/Replanting Process

The Urban Forestry Division is updating our annual planting efforts. Please stay tuned for more information coming soon!