Tree Permit Application
In an effort to preserve and protect the Town's urban forest, we require a Tree Pruning Permit to ensure quality control of tree pruning in the community. This ensures the Town avoids trees on commercial properties being disfigured or destroyed by trimming or pruning that does not conform to nationally accepted standards.
Application for Tree Permit(PDF, 74KB)
Before applying for a permit, contractors need to register to be approved by the Town. For more information on the Tree Pruning Application, please contact Chandler Nyp at cnyp@addisontx.gov.
Tree Pruning Permit FAQs
When do I need a permit?
- Removal of scaffold branches (branches that grow directly from the trunk) higher than 8 feet measured from the soil surface along the main trunk(s) of any canopy tree such as Live Oaks, Cedar Elms, Red Oaks, Bald Cypress, etc.
- If more than 10% of the total leaf or limb material of the live canopy of any canopy tree or Crape Myrtle is to be removed.
What type of pruning is acceptable?
- Trees should be pruned or trimmed to enhance the natural appearance, size, and shape of the tree, including Crape Myrtles.
- Crape Myrtles may be trimmed to remove old seed heads or dead, broken, and diseased limbs.
What pruning should be avoided?
- Trees should not be trimmed, excessively lifted, limbed up, or altered to create lopsided or void areas in the live canopy branching structure to enhance views to signs or building facades.
- Tree topping and "Lion-tailing" or excessive limbing or lifting up of trees is prohibited.
- Severe topping or cutting back of Crape Myrtles is prohibited.
- Cutting back, topping, or "tipping" back of Crape Myrtle canes one-fourth of an inch in diameter or larger is prohibited.
What is the penalty for violation?
The property owner can be fined $2,000 and a separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during on or which a violation occurs or continues. The property owners will be required to replace a tree that is disfigured by prohibited pruning practices.