Tree Care
The City of Hyattsville has been recognized as a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation for over 30 years! The City is proud to be tree-friendly, with an excellent tree canopy for an urban/suburban community.
Download the City of Hyattsville's Tree Care Brochure
A City Ordinance requires residents to obtain a permit for the removal of large trees on private property. This Tree Ordinance helps to maintain our beneficial tree canopy and contributes to our Tree City USA status
The City plants trees throughout the community, and maintains trees on City property. Pepco also maintains trees around power lines to ensure proper clearance.
Where the City Plants Trees
Trees are generally planted fall through spring. Before planting a tree, the City considers many factors, including overall space; underground and above-ground utilities; proximity to driveways, intersections and crosswalks; proximity to other trees; and success of other trees in the area.
View our Tree Database to learn more about the trees near you.
Residents can request a tree be planted in the City Right of Way (ROW) in front of or to the side of their home using this form. Trees are typically planted the fall of each year and residential requests are given first priority (provided interference with utilities is not an issue).
Residents Planting Trees
To plant trees in the public right of way, a property owner must obtain permission from the City Arborist. Use this Tree Request form to submit a request. Planting locations and species must comply with Hyattsville Ordinance 2005-01, the Urban Forest Ordinance. This Ordinance provides detailed information on the criteria the City's Shade Tree Board uses to evaluate the permit application and appeal process. Only tree species listed in the Recommended Tree List, published by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, may be planted.
For more information regarding trees on private property, please reference Chapter 112, Urban Forestry, in the City Code and Charter. Before planting a tree, contact Miss Utility, (800) 257-7777 to ensure there are no underground utility lines where you plan to dig.
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Dawn Taft
Environmental Programs Manager, City ArboristPhone: (240) 487-0290
City-Owned Tree Maintenance
The Department of Public Works performs low pruning on a routine basis and utilizes the services of a State-certified private contractor to remove diseased or dead trees and hazardous limbs from within the City’s right of way. To protect trees during the summer heat, tree work is performed in the fall through spring whenever possible.
Removals are designated with signage a minimum of two weeks in advance, allowing residents to voice any concerns before removal. Use this form to request a tree pruning or report any problems with a tree on a City-owned street. See the most recent list of planned tree work for Fall 2022 here.
PEPCO also performs routine maintenance on trees along their utility lines, including trees on private property. Find more information about PEPCO's tree maintenance practices here.
Private Property Tree Maintenance
Property owners are responsible for tree maintenance and removal of trees on their property. Before removing a large tree, defined as 50" or greater in circumference depending on its location, the City requires the property owner to obtain a permit using this application. Removal must comply with Hyattsville Ordinance 2005-01, the Urban Forest Ordinance. This Ordinance provides detailed information on the criteria that the Shade Tree Board uses in evaluating a permit application and the appeal process.