Tree Care, Maintenance and Removals

The planting, maintenance and preservation of trees has been determined to be a significant issue for public health and welfare and of great importance to the City's physical and aesthetic environment. Residents are encouraged to care for their trees with proper pruning and management techniques. Proper pruning can remove excess growth without the problems that topping creates. In addition, many arborists say that topping is the worst thing you can do for the health of a tree. It starves the tree by drastically reducing its food-making ability and makes the tree more susceptible to insects and disease. 

Tree topping by any persons or firms engaged in the business or occupation of pruning, treating or removing any public or private tree is unlawful and punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars per offense. 

Penalties for unlawful tree care can be found in City Code section 425.090.

Tree Care and Maintenance Owner's Manual

The downloadable Tree Owner's Manual (PDF) was funded in part by the U.S. Forest Service Northeastern Area Midwest Center for Urban and Community Forestry. 

Right Tree in the Right Place

A healthy community forest begins with careful planning.  With a little research and a simple layout, you can produce a landscape that will cool your home in summer and tame the winter winds. Your well-planned yard will contain trees that grow well in the soil and moisture of your neighborhood. Your trees will be properly placed to avoid collisions with power lines and buildings, and the aesthetics will increase your property value.

Please see the Arbor Day Foundation's considerations on tree selection for more information.

The Lake Saint Louis Tree Board supports the following Recommended Tree List. The list outlines various tree species that survive our hardiness zone and provides guidance on good locations and mature heights of trees. You can view any of these trees at the Missouri Botanical Garden website.