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

Section 505-8 of the Village Code bars anyone, including professional tree services, from planting, trimming, removing, or performing major alterations on a tree or shrub within any public right-of-way or public area without a permit from the Village Forester. Utilities get a separate permit track under § 505-8B that limits their trimming to what primary conductor lines actually need, with a standard ten-foot clearance around 14,400-volt lines, and every permit issued under this chapter expires six months after issuance unless the Forester says otherwise. Anything planted in a boulevard or planting easement without a permit can simply be removed: under § 505-9 the Forester notifies the property owner in writing and orders removal, and if the owner misses the deadline the Village removes it and bills the cost plus 5% back to the property.

Oak trees get their own layer of protection under § 505-13B because of oak wilt disease. From April 1 through October 1, nobody may disturb an oak tree anywhere in the Village, public or private, without an approved tree permit, and that covers trimming branches, removing the tree, or disturbing its roots through excavation or planting. Any cut made during that window needs an immediate coat of tree wound dressing. The Forester issues oak permits only for genuine emergencies, requires a certified forester's statement that the tree isn't infected or near an infected tree, and restricts the work to within 20 days of issuance. Moving infected wood or bark through the Village during the same window is also barred.