Green Bay, WI Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Green Bay, WI, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permit needed for
- plant, prune, or remove
- Issued by
- City Forester
- Minimum penalty
- $500 per incident
- Max penalty
- $1,500 or appraised value
Summary
Planting, pruning, or removing any tree on Green Bay public property requires a written permit from the City Forester, and unpermitted removal carries a steep forfeiture.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to plant, prune, or remove any tree (or portion thereof), shrub, or other plant upon any public property without a permit.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to "top" any tree on public property.(c)Trees on public property shall be protected from damage or removal by any means unless otherwise authorized by a permit issued by the City Forester. Tree crowns and trunks shall not suffer any branch or bark loss. Roots shall be protected from compaction, storage of materials, and severing within a circle around the tree with the tree trunk as the focal point. The radius of the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) shall be determined by the tree diameter listed in the following table: RADIUS OF TREE PROTECTION ZONE
Tree Diameter at 4 ½ Feet Above Ground Radius of TPZ (Tree Trunk in Center) 0—4.0 inches 2.0 feet 4.1—9.0 inches 5.0 feet 9.1—14.0 inches 10.0 feet 14.1—19.0 inches 12.0 feet
Full Breakdown
Section 28-34(a) makes it unlawful to plant, prune, or remove any tree, or portion of one, on public property without a permit. Permits are issued by the City Forester under Section 28-36, which also requires a permit to excavate within 15 feet of a public tree. Removing or damaging a public tree without a permit is separately penalized under Section 28-37(a), which scales the forfeiture to the tree's appraised value.
Violations & Fines
Section 28-37(a) sets a forfeiture of not less than $500.00 per incident, up to the greater of $1,500.00 or the tree's value under the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers' guide, for removing a public tree without a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a boulevard tree in front of my Green Bay house myself?
Do I need a permit to dig near a street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Green Bay
Compare Green Bay to another location·View the Wisconsin landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brown County handle tree removal & heritage trees.