Lincoln Parks and Recreation maintains an approved tree list and discourages monoculture plantings such as ash, while protecting heritage and significant public trees under Title 31 forestry rules.
After the emerald ash borer reached Nebraska in 2016, Lincoln accelerated removal of high-risk ash trees and barred new ash plantings on public property. The forestry program rotates approved species to prevent monocultures, encouraging oaks, hackberry, Kentucky coffeetree, and Catalpa. Significant trees on public land, including those in Pioneers Park and Sunken Gardens, receive heightened protection. Private property owners face fewer rules but cannot remove parkway or designated heritage trees without permits.
Planting prohibited species in the parkway can require removal at the owner's expense; damaging a designated heritage or significant public tree carries Title 31 penalties scaled to tree appraised value.
Lincoln, NE
Trees in the parkway between sidewalk and curb are public property under Title 31; residents must obtain Lincoln Parks and Recreation approval before plantin...
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln does not have a formal heritage or landmark tree ordinance for private property. The city manages its urban forest through the Parks and Recreation D...
See how Lincoln's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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