Des Moines, Iowa
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Des Moines
In Des Moines the Forestry Division is responsible for city-owned trees in the right-of-way, and everything on private property is up to the owner. The 2020 derecho and the ash borer have given both plenty to do.
- County
- Polk
- Tree rules
- Des Moines Public Works, Forestry Division
- Key local rule
- The city handles trees in the right-of-way. Private trees are the owner's responsibility.
- Electric utility
- MidAmerican Energy
- Main hazards
- Derechos, tornadoes, ice, emerald ash borer
The derecho in the capital
The August 10, 2020 derecho reached the Des Moines metro area late in the morning with gusts between 70 and 100 mph. Trees fell across streets in every part of the city, and the utility needed more than a week to restore the last customers.
Damage here was less complete than in Cedar Rapids, which sat under the strongest winds, but it followed the same pattern. Silver maples split, ash snapped, and spruce uprooted, while well-formed oaks mostly held.
A second derecho crossed Iowa on December 15, 2021. Because the trees were bare, it broke fewer limbs than the August storm, yet it still set a state record for tornadoes in one day.
What the Forestry Division does and does not do
The Forestry Division, part of Public Works, is responsible for city-owned trees in the right-of-way. The right-of-way includes the street and a border area between the pavement and the adjoining property. Residents report problems with those trees to the city.
The division does not work on private trees. If the tree is on your property, you hire a tree service. Owners are also expected to keep their trees from obstructing sidewalks and streets.
Iowa has no arborist license. West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny and Johnston are separate cities, and some issue their own permits for work on right-of-way trees.
Derecho injuries that show up later
Cracks running along the top of large limbs
The limb bent past its limit and did not break. It may yet.
A trunk that twisted
Look for spiral cracks in the bark.
A lean that appeared in 2020 and has not changed
The root plate shifted. Have it assessed even if it seems stable.
Thick clumps of new shoots at break points
They grow fast and attach poorly.
Ash borer choices in Des Moines
| Situation | Reasonable choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy ash, good location, full crown | Treat every two to three years | Keeps a sound tree standing for a decade or more |
| Ash with a third or more of the crown dead | Remove | Treatment rarely succeeds at this stage |
| Small or poorly placed ash | Remove and replant | Not worth ongoing treatment |
| Ash in the right-of-way | Ask the city | The city manages public ash under its own treatment and removal plan |
Des Moines neighborhoods
- South of Grand and Waterbury
- Large oaks, some older than the houses. Worth preserving and major jobs to remove.
- Beaverdale and Drake
- Brick homes under maples and oaks on moderate lots. Garage and wire conflicts.
- East side and south side
- More silver maple, elm and boxelder. Storm cleanup dominates.
- River and creek corridors
- Cottonwood and willow on flood-prone ground along the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers and Walnut Creek.
What to do next
- This week
A right-of-way tree is damaged
Report it to the Forestry Division.
- Act now
A private tree is split or hanging over the house
Call a tree service now. See hazardous tree removal.
- Plan it
An oak needs pruning
Have it done in winter to avoid oak wilt.
- Plan it
You are replanting after losing a tree
Choose a different species from your neighbors' to spread the risk.
Des Moines tree service questions
Will the city of Des Moines remove a tree in my yard?
No. The Forestry Division is responsible only for city-owned trees in the right-of-way. Trees on private property are the owner's to maintain and remove.
How do I report a problem with a city tree in Des Moines?
Use the city's tree concern reporting page or call Public Works. Give the address and describe the hazard.
Is a permit needed to remove a private tree in Des Moines?
No permit is required for a tree on your own residential lot.
Should I still worry about trees that survived the derecho?
Have any tree that lost major limbs, twisted or shifted inspected. Hidden cracks and loosened roots are common in survivors.
Reach a tree service in Des Moines
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in the Des Moines 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