You Are Here : Home / Government/ Agencies, Departments, and Offices / Parks & Recreation / Trees & Natural Resources / Office of the City Forester

Office of the City Forester

Denver’s street trees are under regulation of the City Forester, but their maintenance is a responsibility shared by adjacent property owners. Permits are required prior to the removal or planting of any street trees. Request a permit by filling out this form. The Office of the City Forester is responsible for the direct maintenance of public trees within parks and designated parkways, along with oversight of privately maintained trees per Municipal Code, Chapter 57, and the overall quality of Denver’s urban tree canopy

Quick Links:

Find more information and tree resources:

Forestry Notices & Special Projects

Find information on special projects, along with public service announcements and other important forestry notices.

Urban Forest Strategic Plan

Denver Parks and Recreation and the Office of the City Forester are creating Denver’s first Urban Forest Strategic Plan! We're looking for feedback from the community to help create our plan and ensure it reflects an equitable vision for the future of Denver's urban forest.

Licensed Tree Service Contractors List

Denver's vegetation ordinance requires that anyone performing tree care services including pruning and removing be licensed as a "Tree Service Company." View the list of companies who have passed the minimum test requirements of the Office of the City Forester.

Tree Resources for Property Owners

Find information about notices and citations; maintenance of right-of-way trees; planting, pruning and removal guidelines; hiring a tree service company; and other tree-care tips.

Street Tree Permits, Demolition & Construction Inspections

Permits are required prior to the removal or planting of any street trees in the right-of-way. Proper tree protection must be maintained throughout all residential demolition and new construction.

Storms & Tree Damage

Severe weather and heavy snow storms can cause downed trees, broken limbs, and large amounts of debris. Find more information about how to cleanup debris on private property and the public right-of-way adjacent to your property.

Tree Service Contractor Resources

Division IV of Denver's Vegetation Ordinance (Chapter 57) requires that anyone performing tree care services including pruning and removing be licensed as a "Tree Service Company." Find more information on becoming a licensed company.

Land Developer & Contractor Resources

In order to protect an established tree from damage or destruction and to enhance the tree's chance of survival after construction activities on the zone lot are completed, the owner shall take and maintain protection measures throughout the course of demolition or construction.

Contact the Forestry Team

Inquire about inspections, operations, parkways, special programs and more.

Be a Smart Ash

The emerald ash borer is an invasive borer that has wreaked havoc on ash trees across the country. One in six trees in Denver are ash trees and, if we do nothing, it’s just a matter of time before they’ll all be devoured by the emerald ash borer. Learn how you can protect your ash and our urban canopy by identifying, treating and replacing Denver's ash trees.