It may seem like a simple task to just call a tree company to have them remove a tree for you. That may be the case in most scenarios, but it’s important to know this can be different if the tree is on public property belonging to the town, village, or city that you live in. This can potentially require paperwork and following certain rules and laws to make it a clean process without any issues.
This blog will take you through what you need to know about the rules and laws regarding tree removal in the Buffalo and Western New York area.
Getting a Permit and the Areas It Matters In
Did you know you might need a permit first? In some scenarios, this may be a mandatory part of the process. There are a couple of reasons why you need a permit for a tree removal.
A Tree Work Permit is required to plant, prune, or remove trees within the City of Buffalo, and there is no fee to obtain a permit.
Generally, a permit is required if:
- The tree is on public property
- The tree is located within a designated historic district
- The tree is a “protected tree” due to its size, species, or historical significance.
You’re also responsible for submitting other important information within 30 days of when you plan to remove the tree. One of those pieces of information is the contact information for landscape contractors expected to perform the work, in which case that would be us at Bradley Tree.
We understand that sometimes you might need a quick emergency tree removal, but we can’t stress enough that you take the right steps, and everything will go smoothly between you and us. We’ve seen situations where winter storms and other issues cause immediate emergency tree removal services, and if you have a question, we always recommend calling to ask us about the particular situation, whether you live in the city of Buffalo or surrounding towns and villages.
The Rules of the Towns in Western New York
Western New York is broken up into many different towns, such as Orchard Park, East Aurora, Clarence, Elma, Holland, Hamburg, and more. We figured we could walk through several of them by the laws established in each.
Town of Amherst
The Town of Amherst Highway Department is where you go to for issuing a permit to remove a tree on public property. On private property, it’s not normally required unless the property is under development or is in a tree conservation area.
Town of Clarence
A permit is required in the Town of Clarence for tree removal on public property. To get these permits, you go to the Town of Clarence Planning and Zoning Department.
Other Big to Small Towns
East Aurora and Elma are examples of when permits are not normally required for removing trees on private property. If they are on public property, you must contact the town supervisors and officials for more information.
Other examples of bigger towns like Orchard Park and Tonawanda also have similar laws. In both, it’s the same as East Aurora and Elma; you might need a permit for public property removal, but not on private property. For more information and questions, contact the main officials.
Having a Good and Reputable Tree Work Partner
If you’re a home or property owner, you can trust that we have the trees’ best interests in mind if you need them removed. Bradley Tree knows the local laws, and we are a local family-owned company ready to help those in need.
Contact us with any questions and talk to a professional arborist who will give a detailed analysis and take you through the next steps of whether your tree needs to be removed or not. Call us today!