Madison, WI Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Chapter 23's tree provisions form a multi-section protection scheme. 21(2) lets the City Engineer or Superintendent of Streets, Sewers and Sanitation trim trees to protect street lighting after getting the City Forester's input. 22 requires the same Board approval and a permit before planting any new shade or ornamental tree in a public street. 23 bars depositing stone, cement, lumber or similar material near a highway tree unless an open 16-square-foot space is left around the trunk, and requires protective guards during any nearby work.

24 is the core damage prohibition: subsection (1) bars breaking, damaging or injuring any highway tree or shrub, including pouring salt water or other harmful substances near it; subsection (2) extends the same protection to any flower bed, planting, tree or shrub in a public park or public place; and subsection (3) covers damage during public or private work adjacent to city-owned property, requiring ordinary care to protect root structures, with an exception if the City Engineer or City Forester authorizes the damage beforehand or within a reasonable time after.

25 separately bars attaching electric insulators or wire-holding devices to any public highway tree and requires the owner of any electrified wire running near a tree to fasten it to a post, removing or de-energizing it within 24 hours of written notice from the Board of Public Works president. Recent amendments under ORD-25-00063 (9-25-25) and ORD-25-00071 (10-16-25) updated the permitting officer references and the damage-penalty language.