When severe storms knock over or damage public trees, we respond with the following priorities:

  1. Open emergency route streets
  2. Open all streets
  3. Remove downed boulevard trees on houses
  4. Remove hazardous trees from public property
  5. Pick up public debris on boulevards and remove hanging limbs
  6. Remove stumps

What You Should Do

Use extreme caution around storm-damaged trees.

Trees that have fallen into a power line may be deadly. If you suspect that a tree is in contact with an energized wire, stay away, and call 911.

Let us know about dangerous public trees.

If you see a public tree that is leaning, has broken branches, hanging limbs or any unsafe defects, call 612-313-7710.

Help prevent the spread of invasive species.

Never move or store elm or ash wood. Help prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease.

Properly dispose of trees and debris.

You are responsible for disposing of wood chips, branches, logs and stumps from your property. Use the City’s regular yard waste service for small storm debris. You may also hire a licensed contractor to remove tree debris.

Find City of Minneapolis licensed tree removal contractors [PDF].

Occasionally, if a severe storm creates a large amount of tree debris, the Department of Public Works and the MPRB may declare an emergency and give special instructions to help you get rid of your private debris. We will post information on our website if we declare an emergency.

Replanting a new boulevard tree.

When a boulevard tree falls or is damaged in a storm, we add it to a replanting list unless something in the environment would prevent the tree from developing properly. It is not necessary to request a boulevard tree replacement.

Call 612-313-7710 or email forestry@minneapolisparks.org for additional information.