trimming a street tree overhanging my roof
There is a big tall street tree in front of my house, and many branches overhang my roof. I was told I should have those branches trimmed to prevent damage to my roof and to prevent the gutters from stopping up (lots of leaves and seeds on the roof). Since it’s a street tree, how do I go about doing this? Does the city need to be involved or can I hire someone myself? Is the city responsible for trimming the tree? Any recommendations for tree trimmers (if that is the way to go)? Obviously it’s got to be someone who knows what they are doing, it’s a big old tree and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to destabilize it.
backeast
in Roofers 13 years ago
10
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10 replies
pigthree | 13 years ago
Hahahahah, take a class? I climb, prune, and cut down my trees if necessary. Myself. same goes for everything else associated with building and maintaing a home. I call it like I see it here on b’stoner. a bunch of fear mongers. people need to be more self sufficient and stop reling on foolish advise from people who are afraid to do things.
slimc | 13 years ago
Pig Three, Fear? Secrets?? My, what an active imagination you have! Street trees are expensive for the city to purchase, plant, and maintain. Step by step internet guides do not replace the hands-on and classroom training (guided by experienced professionals) that Citizen Pruners receive. Many well-intentioned residents harm trees by pruning them badly, wrapping/nailing things to their trunks, creating volcano mulch piles, topping them, building impermeable tree pit fortresses, etc etc etc. Take the CP class, find a Citizen Pruner, or hire an arborist.
eme1million | 13 years ago
If the tree is planted in front of your lot, and you can reach the branches safety, then just trim it yourself. No one will care. As the property owner, you are responsible for upkeep all around your lot, even if you don’t technically own it – like with sidewalks, and garbage in the gutter along your lot, and yes, trees. There is absolutely no obligation to get a permit to trim a wayward tree growing over your roof. But, is anyone official going to tell you that? Probably not.
Silvermax | 13 years ago
Call Citizen Pruners as described above. My neighbor lopped a couple of branches off our shared street tree a few years ago and the tree is really unbalanced now. Do the tree, and yourself, a favor and have someone licensed do the work.
woodlouse | 13 years ago
You can send a request to the Parks department using http://www.nycgovparks.org/services/forestry/request. However based even on your description it doesn’t sound dangerous. Maybe a nuisance at worst. Given that the Parks department doesn’t even have enough people to monitor potentially dangerous trees in public parks, I think it would be frivolous to call them if it isn’t in fact a hazard.
pigthree | 13 years ago
good grief, charlie brown
slimc | 13 years ago
Attention all Brownstoners: For minor tree-pruning needs, try contacting TreesNY. They run the Citizen Pruner program and may be able to refer you to trained Citizen Pruner volunteers. Citizen Pruners must have both feet on the ground at all times. If a telescoping pruner (10-15 feet) will not reach the branches in question, then a licensed arborist may be hired. Do NOT prune the trees yourself. It is illegal, carries heavy penalties and is often done very poorly, eventually killing the tree.
Bklnite | 13 years ago
You can find many of the official answers from parks dept here http://www.nycgovparks.org/services/forestry/faq **What if my tree needs routine rather than emergency pruning?** Parks & Recreation conducts routine pruning every year on a portion of city trees in each community board in order to keep our mature trees healthy. If you think a tree is in need of maintenance pruning, you can wait for the regular cycle or you can contact 311 to request an inspection by a forester who can assess the pruning needs of the tree. The forester will then decide if the tree needs pruning more immediately or if the next pruning cycle will correct the issues. If you would like the tree pruned before that, you can apply for a Tree Work Permit
http://www.nycgovparks.org/images/pdficon_small.png
(PDF, 175 kB) for an ISA-certified arborist to perform work on the tree Off the record… I pruned some branches on the street in front of my house away from my roof & gutters.
well_pHed | 13 years ago
The city only does major pruning it on a pre-defined rotation, except in the case of an emergency (e.g., tornado). You can pay and do it yourself, but you need a permit and a licensed arborist. http://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/52/P-A-Forestry-Application-Updated.pdf Most tree companies with any standards will actually refuse to touch anything significant on a street tree without a permit, as there is liability and because many of them make a decent amount of money subcontracting with the city and don’t want to mess that up. (Minor pruning of low branches can be done by Citizen Pruners, who are also licensed by the city.)
bpie | 13 years ago
I think whomever trims it has to have some sort of license. You cannot trim it yourself, I believe you can get a fine. I would call 311\. They city may come trim it if it may cause some sort of damage.