Mission Statement

The Forestry program will contribute to the economic, aesthetic, social and environmental well being of the city and its customers by providing public trees safe, cost effective, and professional care.

Primary Objectives

	To foster safety of people and property by identifying and abating tree hazards. Note: Tree Removal Policy and Tree Removal Notification Policy
	To facilitate a healthy and sustainable environment by protecting, maintaining and planting trees.
	To enhance property value, business success, and city revenue by improving tree species selection, tree planting locations, and tree service practices.
	To reduce heating and cooling requirements and modify urban noise by strategic placement of new tree plantings.
	To protect watersheds, soil stability, air quality and habitat for urban wildlife through diversification of tree species and ages.
	To assist law enforcement, transportation, utility providers and others whose work can be influenced by tree planting and maintenance practices.
	To expand awareness of the value and needs of trees by sharing arboricultural information, education and training.
	To improve service processes and performance through collaboration with customers, affiliates, and team members.

Services Available

There are essentially five tree services provided by the city's Forestry Program:

- Pruning
- Removal
- Planting
- Spraying
- Emergency Assistance

For Service, call 972-7818 or go to our Online Request for Service page.

To request pruning, removing, or planting a tree on Salt Lake City property yourself or have a contractor do it for you, go to our Service Request Page.

Emergency work takes precedence over all service requests and is performed as circumstances warrant. Most emergency services are related to tree breakage associated with storm events.

The city can provide service to trees located on property owned or managed by Salt Lake City. The Forestry Program is not authorized to deliver care to private property trees.

Salt Lake City Forestry Ordinance
CITY CODE 2.26

The City's Forestry Ordinance was established in 1988 by the Salt Lake City Council to facilitate the protection, care and renewal of public trees. By definition public trees are located on property owned or managed by Salt Lake City. A few examples of such property include parks, golf courses, street median islands, public rights-of-way and the Jordan River Parkway.

One of the most prominent locations of public trees is the area adjacent to city streets. This city owned space, often located between the curb and sidewalk, is referred to as the "Parking or Planting Strip".

Requests to plant, maintain, or remove public trees--including private work on public trees--are coordinated and processed by the city’s Forestry Program. Private work on public trees requires issuance of an authorizing permit. For details concerning the permit process please refer to tree permits.

Salt Lake City's Forest Management Plan
(click here for full report)

Synopsis of Executive Summary

Salt Lake City’s forest is much more than a collection of trees. The city’s forest directly influences environmental quality, public safety, and City revenues. Despite its strategic importance to the quality of life in Salt Lake City, less than 1% of the City’s operating budget is allocated for its care and renewal. This is due primarily to the general absence of available information specific to its history and value, its status and needs, and a plan for its stewardship.

The Forest Management Plan is designed to address these informational needs and to offer a guide for improving services. The document is divided into three broad categories: THE REPORT—what is known, THE PLAN—what is proposed, and THE RECORD—what has been done. The report provides background information and serves as a benchmark. The plan establishes guidelines for the protection, care, and renewal of City trees. The record monitors and documents performance while tracking costs and benefits.

The following is a brief summary of the information contained in each of the main categories. The reader is referred to the narrative of the document for more complete information.