When is the best time to prune my trees?
Who is the arborist over my district?
How do I report a suspected illegal tree removal?
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my yard?
What trees are not protected?
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Can I remove or have trees removed from my parkway?
What is needed on a tree survey?
Do I need to plant a tree the same size as the tree I removed?
Can I make changes to my approved landscape plan?
When is landscaping required?
Can street trees count as site trees?
When does required landscaping have to be completed?
Is the landscape requirement the same for the whole city?
Can my landscape trees count toward required mitigation?
Does a demolition permit allow me to remove trees?
Does my landscape contractor have to be registered or licensed?
Do I need to have my landscape inspected?
Why do I have to take the burlap off the top of the root ball?
When is the best time to prune my trees?
The best time to prune trees is in the fall after the leaves have dropped off (late October to late November).
Dead wood or hazardous limbs may be removed at any time.
Live oaks and red oaks should be NOT be pruned from February 1 to June 1 due to the threat of Oak Wilt. For more information on Oak Wilt go to Texas Cooperative Extension webpage on Oak Wilt information or call (512) 473-3517.
Who is the arborist over my district?
How do I report a suspected illegal tree removal?
During the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday call one of the arborists. If you cannot get through on any of the direct lines, call the main Building Inspection phone number at (214) 948-4480 and ask to speak to an arborist. After hours you may report a suspected illegal removal to the Action Center by dialing 311. Please follow through the next business day by calling one of the arborists for the results of your complaint.
So that we can better assist you about tree removal inquiries, when you call, please have a precise location such as the address of property in question, or the addresses of the properties on either side of the property in question.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my yard?
What trees are not protected?
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Can I remove or have trees removed from my parkway?
What is needed on a tree survey?
Date of survey
Scale
North arrow
The name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of each property owner
Name of the person preparing the survey
Location of existing boundry lines
Vicinity map
Location and side of existing and proposed strees, alleys, and utility easements
Street address and/or lot and block description
Location, diameter, and name of all trees 8" or greater in diameter
Any other reasonable and pertinent information that the building official determines to be necessary for review
Do I need to plant a tree the same size as the tree I removed?
No. The replacement requirement is inch per inch. You may use 2” trees from the replacement tree list to add up to the number of inches you removed. For example, if you remove a 10” protected tree then you must replace 10” and you could do it with five 2” replacement trees. You can use trees that are bigger than 2”, as well.
Can I make changes to my approved landscape plan?
You can make substitutions of plant materials of the same size and the same category, such as:
Changes in location of plant materials, design standards, tree or shrub count, removing protected trees to remain, or changing grade under or near the dripline(s) of existing trees to remiain requires a landscape addendum. You must submit new landscape plans for review. Contact your arborist for details.
When is landscaping required?
Landscaping is required on a lot that, within a two-year period, does one of the following:
Increases the number of stories in a building on a Lot (including new structures on a vacant lot)
Increases net square footage by more than 35% or 10,000sqft, whichever is less, the combined floor area of all buildings on the lot
Increases the non-permeable coverage on the lot by more than 2,000sqft.
Single-family and duplex uses established after May 29, 1994. See residential landscape requirements
Can street trees count as site trees?
When does required landscaping have to be completed?
Is the landscape requirement the same for the whole city?
Can my landscape trees count toward required mitigation?
Does a demolition permit allow me to remove trees?
Does my landscape contractor have to be registered or licensed?
Do I need to have my landscape inspected?
If the landscape is required as a part of a building permit, planned development, specific use permit, certificate of occupancy, or board of adjustment case, yes, it must be inspected.
If the landscape work you are doing is completely voluntary and not a part of any city requirement, it does not need to be inspected. See quick tips for a successful landscape inspection.
Why do I have to take the burlap off the top of the root ball?
Studies have shown that most burlap is treated for water repellency. In many cases, the water from automatic spray sprinklers does not get into the root ball because the burlap is repelling it. Also, studies have shown that burlap actually wicks away moisture from the root ball causing it to dry out. Additionally, burlap does not degrade rapidly and can cause the girdling of the tree's roots and/or trunk. It is better for the health of the tree to remove the burlap.