What Residents Need to Know Before Trimming Trees in Maple Grove

There is no question, trees are important, providing beauty and the air we breathe.

But, you may wonder what trees are your responsibility to trim and what ones are up to the city.

Maple Grove City Forester Shane DeGroy explains how right-of-ways, or the strip of city-owned land on either side of the road, work in Maple Grove.

Residential tree-lined street in Maple Grove.

“Right-of-ways are not consistent throughout the city. They are typically ten to 15 feet away from the curb, but they can be as small as five or eight feet, or as big as 20 to 25,” says DeGroy. “So I always ask the residents to call to check, because it might not be their problem, it might be mine.”

DeGroy says that’s why you may see crews trimming trees that appear to be in your yard.

“It’s important for the city to maintain these trees for a number of reasons. One, we want to keep the city looking beautiful, two, we want to keep the trees healthy, and three, we want to make sure residents have access to the sidewalks and can walk unimpeded and that there’s not anything interfering with our large vehicles like fire trucks and snowplows that need to drive down the street,” says DeGroy.

Officials also ask that if you live on a corner lot, to not plant any tall-growing vegetation there.

“If a tree or shrub blocks the view, public works crews need to trim it to restore safe sight lines,” says DeGroy.

It’s not just trees near the road that you need to be mindful of.

“We have areas called T-Zones, and that’s what we call our Tree Preservation Districts,” says DeGroy. “These are parts of the city where it is unlawful to remove high-value trees that are over eight inches in diameter.” 

To learn if your tree is in a T-Zone, you can check the city’s website or contact the city’s public works department.

“Our goal is always to keep the community safe, protect valuable trees, and maintain the natural beauty of Maple Grove,” says DeGroy.

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