Stumped by Tree Troubles? We're Here for You! - Get Your FREE Estimates!
Stumped by Tree Troubles? We're Here for You! - Get Your FREE Estimates!
By
Big Easy Tree Removal 
Feb 11, 2023 
0 Comments If you live in New Orleans and have a large or troublesome tree growing in your front yard, you have probably wondered whether you can simply cut it down. The answer depends on who owns the tree, where the trunk sits on your lot, and what local ordinances say about removal. At Big Easy Tree Removal, we help homeowners across the Greater New Orleans area navigate these questions every day. Below, we break down the permits, regulations, and practical considerations that apply to cutting down a tree in front of your house in the Crescent City.
In New Orleans, any tree growing between the sidewalk and the street sits on the public right-of-way and is managed by the Department of Parks and Parkways, which means homeowners have no legal authority to remove or even prune it without a city-issued permit. The right-of-way strip, sometimes called the “park strip” or “neutral ground edge,” is city land regardless of who mows the grass. Before you plan any removal, walk outside and note exactly where the trunk base sits relative to the sidewalk and your property line.
Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 687, a tree growing on the boundary line between two properties is considered common property of both neighbors, so neither owner can remove it without the other’s agreement unless the tree interferes with property enjoyment. If you believe a shared tree is causing damage, you may demand that the neighboring owner contribute to removal costs. If they refuse, Louisiana law allows you to file for an injunction. Always document the tree’s condition with photographs before taking any action.
The City of New Orleans requires a Tree Work Permit for the removal of any tree with a trunk diameter of six inches or greater, measured at 4.5 feet above the ground (known as diameter at breast height, or DBH), whether the tree is on public or private property. To apply, you submit a completed application along with a site plan and photographs of the tree. A city arborist will then schedule a site visit to determine whether the removal is justified. If the permit is approved, the city may require you to plant replacement trees or pay into the Tree Canopy Fund.
Removing a protected tree in New Orleans without a permit can result in fines, mandatory replacement at your expense, and a requirement to provide a one-year watering contract and a five-year warranty on any replacement tree. The New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a strengthened Tree Protection Ordinance in March 2025, which increased penalties for unauthorized tree damage or removal. Fines across Louisiana can reach thousands of dollars depending on the municipality and the tree’s size or species.
The ordinance, which took effect on April 7, 2025, requires anyone who damages or destroys a city tree to replace it with a specimen of equal size and caliper, along with a one-year watering contract and a five-year warranty on the replacement. This applies to contractors, utility companies, and homeowners alike. The law was designed to protect New Orleans’ urban canopy, which plays a critical role in reducing heat, managing stormwater runoff, and preserving the city’s distinctive neighborhood character.
Louisiana does not have a statewide protection law for live oaks, but New Orleans’ local ordinance protects all trees meeting the six-inch DBH threshold, which includes most mature live oaks found throughout Uptown, Mid-City, and the Garden District. Live oaks are deeply tied to the city’s identity, lining streets such as St. Charles Avenue and shading historic properties. Removing a healthy live oak without a valid permit will almost certainly be denied or result in significant penalties.
Yes. If a tree’s root system is cracking your foundation, lifting your sidewalk, or infiltrating your sewer lines, you have a strong case for a removal permit because the city recognizes structural damage as a valid justification for tree removal. New Orleans’ clay-heavy soil and high water table make root intrusion a common issue, especially with fast-growing species. Document the damage thoroughly with photographs and, if possible, a plumber’s or engineer’s report before applying for your permit.
Trees that have been severely damaged by hurricanes, tropical storms, or disease pose a falling hazard and typically qualify for removal permits, especially in a city like New Orleans where storm season runs from June through November each year. After major storms, the city may expedite permitting for hazardous trees. Signs of disease include fungal growth at the base, large dead branches in the canopy, hollow trunks, and bark that peels away easily. A tree removal assessment can confirm whether the tree is beyond saving.
Trees growing into overhead power lines are a serious safety concern, and Entergy New Orleans or the city may require pruning or removal to maintain safe clearance, though you should never attempt this work yourself due to the risk of electrocution. In many cases, regular tree trimming can manage growth near utility lines without full removal. Contact your utility provider before filing a removal permit in these situations.
Cutting down a tree in a New Orleans front yard means working near power lines, parked cars, narrow streets, neighboring structures, and underground utilities, all of which increase the chance of property damage, personal injury, or liability claims. A falling tree or large limb can crush a vehicle, damage a roof, or strike a pedestrian. Without proper rigging equipment and training, controlling where a tree falls is extremely difficult. Additionally, most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage caused by an unpermitted, self-performed tree removal.
If you remove a tree without a permit and it damages a neighbor’s property, you may be held financially responsible for all repair costs, and you could also face city fines on top of that liability. Under Louisiana law, if a tree was visibly diseased and the owner knew but failed to act, they can be held liable for damages when it eventually falls. Conversely, removing a healthy tree without authorization opens you up to penalties from the city. Either way, working with a licensed service protects you from both outcomes.
Before you decide to cut down a front-yard tree, consider whether an alternative approach could solve the problem while keeping the tree in place.
Whether you need to remove a hazardous tree, obtain a permit, or explore alternatives like trimming or cabling, the first step is the same: get a clear assessment of the tree’s condition, location, and legal status. Big Easy Tree Removal provides free on-site evaluations for homeowners across the New Orleans metro area. We handle the permitting process, coordinate with the city, and ensure the work meets all local ordinance requirements.
Call us at 504-732-1166 or request your free estimate to get started.
If the tree needs to come down, we also handle stump removal and stump grinding so your yard is ready for whatever comes next, whether that is a new driveway, landscaping, or a fresh tree planting that meets city replacement requirements.
Learn more about Big Easy Tree Removal and why New Orleans homeowners trust us with their trees.
We serve New Orleans, Gretna, Slidell, Metairie, Kenner, Covington, Mandeville, Hammond, River Ridge, and throughout Louisiana.
If the tree has a trunk diameter under six inches measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, you generally do not need a city permit for removal on private property. However, any tree located between the sidewalk and the street is city property and always requires authorization from Parks and Parkways regardless of size.
Processing times vary, but most residential Tree Work Permits take several weeks because a city arborist must conduct a site visit. During hurricane season or after major storms, the city may expedite permits for trees that pose an immediate safety hazard.
A neighbor cannot force you to remove a healthy tree on your property. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 687, they can demand you trim branches or roots that extend onto their land, and if you refuse, they may file for an injunction. Removal can only be compelled for boundary-line trees that interfere with the neighbor’s property enjoyment.
Document the damage with photographs and contact Big Easy Tree Removal for an assessment. Storm-damaged trees that pose a falling hazard typically qualify for expedited city permits. Do not attempt to remove a leaning or partially fallen tree yourself, especially if it is near power lines or structures.
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