The City is responsible for maintaining and removing trees in public rights of way (street trees), parks, and other public lands of the City. 

The City cannot perform work on trees adjacent to  or within ten feet of power and other utility lines. If you are concerned about a tree interfering with power lines, please call DTE directly with your concerns at 1-800-477-4747.  If you are concerned about a tree interfering with telecommunications lines, please contact AT&T directly at  800-288-2020 and select "Repair". 

Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a free tree seedling!

In celebration of Arbor Day, the City has partnered with the Washtenaw County Conservation District to give away 200 trees to City residents! Residents will have a choice of between two and four tree species, a mix of deciduous and evergreen, and will be limited to no more than two specimens of each species. These trees are seedlings, best suited to planting on private property (not in the right-of-way). We strongly recommend that residents choose the right place for the right tree- at least 3 feet away from pavement or fencing on all sides; 15 feet from buildings or other trees, and 25 feet from overhead wires. Additionally, call Miss Dig (811, https://www.missdig811.org/) to ensure that a tree isn't planted over  gas, water, sewer, or underground electric lines.  Trees will be available for pickup in late April.

Interested? Sign up using the form linked here.

Planting Street Trees

We encourage residents to plant street trees! Those who wish to plant a street tree must first submit a  Street Tree Permit Application(PDF). Street trees planted without a permit are subject to removal with no notice.  There is no fee for this permit; it allows us to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place. Permits may be submitted at the Clerks Office at City Hall or emailed to ROWPermits@cityofypsilanti.com.

To decide what tree to plant, first consult the list of recommended street trees and read our How and Where to Plant a Tree (PDF) document before planting.  Tree species may differ from those on the recommended list but will be reviewed by staff closely for suitability. Domestic fruit trees will not be approved in the right of way due to the ongoing maintenance needs.  Any street tree must be at least 1.5" caliper and in good health;  at least 25 feet from an intersection, 30 feet from an existing street tree, 2.5 feet from a sidewalk, 10 feet from a driveway, 10-20 feet from a water or sewer line, and 10-15 feet away from a gas line.  Trees under utility lines will not be approved.  With your application, submit a scale map showing the planting site and the location of all underground and overhead utilities; you may use either Google Maps or MapWashtenaw.

From time to time when funding is available, the City may plant street trees.  We ask that residents commit to caring for any tree supplied by the City with watering and mulching for the first three years; please keep mulch away from direct contact with the tree trunk. Please note that the City does not permit irrigation lines or sprinklers in the right-of-way.

Caring for a street tree

Water at least once a week for the first three summers, then water once a month for the next two summers. If it has rained  at least 1" during the week, watering is not necessary.   Water deeply so the water can soak down to the depth of the root system (12-18”).  The soil should be moist but not soggy.  A good watering is 15 gallons applied slowly with a soaker hose or a hose on a slow trickle for approximately 30 minutes, within the mulched area around tree. 

Maintain a 3-inch think mulch/wood chip ring around the base of the tree, but not touching the trunk. Mulch piled up against the trunk can kill the tree.  The mulch ring helps retain soil moisture, improves soil quality, impedes weed growth, and protects the trunk from damage. 

Keep string trimmers (weed whips) and lawn mowers away from the trunk. String trimmers, lawn mowers, and other maintenance equipment hitting the trunk can damage the trunk and reduce the tree's lifespan and kill the tree.  Avoid spraying any broad-leaf weed killers near the base of the tree.

Why does the City have so many rules about street trees?

Trees in the right-of-way ultimately become the City's responsibility to care for in the long term. Individuals may move, property may be sold, rented, or re-developed, but the City will still own the right-of-way and the trees in it.  Domestic fruit trees, if not very well cared for over time, will develop diseases that can spread to other trees, and any fruit they drop can become a nuisance, either making sidewalks particularly slippery or getting into the storm sewers. Trees that are too big for their planting area may heave sidewalks or break curbs.  Trees planted too close to a street sign or fire hydrant may block them from view.   Trees planted over a sewer or gas line may interfere with those lines, and trees planted under utility lines can interfere with both service delivery and the public safety.  Trees that have particularly weak wood or that are susceptible to certain diseases may be more apt to fall in hazardous weather.  To help avoid future safety problems, costs to the taxpayers, and nuisances to adjoining properties- we want get the right tree in the right place so it can have a long, healthy, and beneficial life. 

For information about planting trees on private property, please visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' MI Trees website. 

Street Tree Maintenance and Removal

The City maintains a list of trees to be removed or trimmed.  Upon receiving a tree complaint, the City cross references the tree with the existing list. If not on the list, the tree will be evaluated.  To report an issue with a street tree or park tree, please report it online using See Click Fix . 

The City of Ypsilanti tree maintenance and removal season is April through October.  Exceptions may be made in cases of emergency,  weather conditions, disease prevention, and habitat protection.

If you would like to engage a contractor to trim or remove a street tree, please complete the  Street Tree Permit Application(PDF).

Park Tree Donations

If you are interested in donating a tree in a City park, please contact the Department of Public Works at 734-483-1421.