Mobile, Alabama
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Mobile
Whether a Mobile tree needs a city permit depends on where it stands and what the lot is used for. On a developed home lot outside a historic district, private trees are generally not regulated. Inside a historic district, heritage trees 8 inches and up need a permit, and on undeveloped lots, live oaks from 18 inches do.
- County
- Mobile
- Tree rules
- Mobile City Code Chapter 65; Alabama Code Title 11, Chapter 72 (Mobile Tree Act); Mobile Tree Commission
- Key local rule
- Heritage trees: 8 inches in historic districts, 18 inches elsewhere on undeveloped and commercial sites
- Electric utility
- Alabama Power
- Main hazards
- Hurricanes, live oaks over old houses, saturated soils, termites
When Mobile needs a tree permit
| Property | Outside a historic district | Inside a historic district |
|---|---|---|
| Developed residential lot | No permit for trees off the right-of-way | Permit for heritage trees 8 inches DBH or more |
| Undeveloped residential lot | Permit for live oaks 18 inches DBH or more | Permit for heritage trees 8 inches or more |
| Commercial site | Permit for heritage trees 18 inches or more, and for any tree in an approved landscape plan | Permit for heritage trees 8 inches or more |
| Public right-of-way | City trees; permit required | City trees; permit required |
Heritage species on the city's list include live oak, and the city FAQ notes hickory and longleaf pine at 18 inches. Confirm with Mobile 311 before cutting.
Can I cut down a live oak in Mobile?
On a developed home lot outside a historic district, the city generally does not require a permit for private trees off the right-of-way. In Oakleigh, De Tonti Square, the Old Dauphin Way district and other historic districts, a permit is required for heritage trees 8 inches and up, and on undeveloped lots live oaks 18 inches and larger need one.
- Historic districts
- Heritage trees from 8 inches.
- Undeveloped lots
- Live oaks from 18 inches.
- After the permit
- The city requires the work to be done by a certified, licensed and bonded arborist.
Chapter 65 and the Mobile Tree Act
Chapter 65 of the Mobile City Code governs removal and replacement of trees on public and private property, with Section 65-6 covering private property. Applications are filed through the city's online Customer Self Service portal.
A state law specific to Mobile, Alabama Code Title 11, Chapter 72, created the Mobile Tree Commission and requires its approval before trees under its jurisdiction are removed or damaged, with an exception for public hazards. The commission has publicly objected to removals of street live oaks it considered unjustified.
Mobile's live oaks
Government Street, Washington Square and the streets of Oakleigh are lined with live oaks, some planted in the 19th century. Their limbs spread 50 feet or more and dip low over sidewalks and porches. They are among the most wind-firm trees on the Gulf Coast and have outlasted generations of hurricanes, from Frederic in 1979 to Katrina in 2005.
The problems they cause are mostly at close range: heavy limbs over old houses, roots lifting brick sidewalks and clearance over streets. Most of that is pruning work, done carefully, rather than removal. See tree trimming for how live oaks should be pruned.
Coastal Alabama warning signs
Laurel and water oaks with hollow trunks
Short-lived oaks that break in storms.
Pines leaning after a tropical storm
Saturated soils let shallow roots slip.
Termite mud tubes on stumps near houses
Formosan termites are established along the Gulf Coast.
Saltwater damage after surge
Leaves browning weeks after flooding.
Getting a Mobile tree permit
Check the district
Is the property in a locally designated historic district?
Measure the tree
Diameter at breast height.
Apply online
Through the Customer Self Service portal.
Hire a qualified arborist
The city requires certified, licensed and bonded arborists for permitted work.
Mobile tree questions
Who handles live oaks on city streets?
The city's Urban Forestry staff, under the oversight of the Mobile Tree Commission.
What happens if I damage a city live oak?
The city has fined residents for cutting limbs off city oaks without approval, even when they cited safety concerns.
Do I need a permit to trim a tree on my lot?
In historic districts and for heritage trees on undeveloped and commercial sites, trimming is covered as well as removal.
How do I reach the city about trees?
Call Mobile 311.
Reach a tree service in Mobile
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in the Mobile area, or leave your number and one will call you back.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day