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

Article VI of Chapter 26 protects trees on municipal streets, rights-of-way, city parks, and other public property. Section 26-78(a) makes it unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to damage, remove, or cause the damage or removal of a tree on public property without written permission from the director, and § 26-78(b)-(c) separately bans attaching wires or signs to a public tree or topping it, except where storms leave best-pruning practices impractical. Anyone doing construction near a public tree must consult the director and follow the International Society of Arboriculture's Managing Trees During Construction practices under § 26-78(d).

On private land, § 26-80(a) lets the director declare a tree a nuisance if it has contracted a lethal, communicable disease or insect, is dead or dying, blocks sightlines to traffic signs or pedestrians, or threatens public safety. Under § 26-80(b)-(c), the owner has the duty, at their own expense, to remove or treat it once the director gives written notice, served personally or posted on the tree; the notice sets a deadline of not less than 24 hours nor more than 14 days depending on the danger, and if the owner misses it, the director's crew removes or treats the tree and bills the full cost as a special charge against the property.