Oak trees are a common sight in North America, this is why there are laws put in place to protect them from being cut down carelessly. Most of the time you will need a permit to cut down an oak tree. Depending on where you live, there are different laws regarding oak trees.
Oak trees are known to have lived for up to more than a hundred years so they have a lot of historical significance. They live longer because they take a long time to mature.
Oak trees are seen as a valuable contribution to the ecosystem and also a contribution to the landscape’s aesthetic appeal.
They are beautiful trees and are made up of a variety of species. Oak trees are also considered aesthetic.
The trees are protected majorly and specifically by the name in Florida and California mostly. Most of the time in other states, however, they fall generally under the tree protection laws as per each city’s tree ordinance.
The answer will depend on how old the tree is. Other factors such as the amount of water or light the tree gets.
If it is a juvenile oak tree, water it regularly and trim it to have a single main leader. When it is 10-15 years old, you could water it but not so much. Remember to prune it at least every 2 years to remove crossing branches.
Ensure your city laws allow you to do that first to avoid any legal complications.
If you have an oak tree growing in your backyard, you might be wondering if it is okay to cut it down. If the tree is protected, it is illegal to cut it down. However, if the oak tree is smaller than the minimum size required for a protected tree then you can cut it.
You will need to apply for a permit to cut down a large and protected oak tree. Almost every city in the United States has a law regarding the cutting down of oak trees. These laws vary from state to state.
To see which law applies to your state, you should look at your city’s Tree Removal Ordinance. This will let you know if your oak tree is protected.
It is important to note that these protection laws normally apply to medium and large species of oak trees but to be on the safe side, double-check just to confirm.
In California, oak trees have strict laws that protect them from being cut down. The Los Angeles Oak Tree Ordinance aims to create an environment to preserve and propagate this threatened and unique plant heritage.
In order to get a permit in Los Angeles, there are processes to follow. The Los Angeles County ordinance states that a person shall not cut, remove, destroy, relocate, damage, or encroach into areas designated for the protection of oak trees.
The following are some of the damages that the oak trees are protected against:
The most common types of oaks in Los Angeles County include The Coast Live Oak, Valley Oak, and Mesa Oak. Other types of oaks include the California Black Oak, California Scrub Oak, and the Canyon Live Oak.
Florida also has strict laws regarding oak trees. If you need to cut down or prune your oak trees, you should first check with your city or county. Different counties have different specific laws.
Have a look at the city’s tree ordinance before cutting down an oak tree to avoid hefty fines. If you are still unsure after looking at your city’s tree ordinance contact a certified local arborist near you.
They should know all the laws governing the oak tree in your county or city and tell you whether you need a permit to cut down an oak tree or not.
In order to cut down an oak tree, you will need a permit issued by the governing body in your city or state. To get the permit you will first have to fill out an application. It will take at least two weeks to get the permit after filling the application.
You will need to state the reasons why you need to cut down the oak tree. The reasons should be convincing for you to get the permit.
Just because the oak trees are protected by strict laws does not mean that you cannot get a permit for tree removal. Even oaks get old to a point where they add little value to the landscape and more harm. Read about how much to cut down a tree.
Here are some of the reasons why an oak tree might be cut down:
The tree could also have been struck by lightning and this led to it being unstable. In this case, the city will be more likely to give you a permit to cut it down.
If this is the case with you, then getting a permit will also be easier as such trees need to be disposed of. You can also contact a certified local arborist to inspect and advise you on what to do next.
In some cases, your application may be rejected, in which case you can appeal. This involves backing up your claim with compelling evidence to get the approval from the city.
Your reasons have to be convincing and need to be presented in the form of an arborist’s report. Getting a certified arborist to actually back you up by concluding that the tree is indeed dangerous to have around will add more points in your favor.