You may prune trees on your own Clay County property freely. Trees in the public right-of-way belong to the city. Gladstone's forestry ordinance even makes topping any street, park, or public tree unlawful.
No Missouri or Clay County law restricts pruning a tree that stands entirely on your own land. The limits attach to public trees. In cities with a community forestry program, such as Gladstone, the city holds authority over trees in street rights-of-way and public grounds, and residents cannot top or remove them without approval. Overhanging branches from a neighbor's tree may be trimmed back to your property line, but you cannot cross onto their land or cut the trunk. Utility-line clearance is coordinated between the utility and the city.
Topping or damaging a public street or park tree violates the city forestry ordinance and is prosecuted in municipal court. Harming a neighbor's tree exposes you to treble-damage liability under RSMo 537.340.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Gladstone's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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