Removing trees from the public right-of-way in Buffalo requires approval from the city's Division of Forestry, and removal of significant trees on private property during development may require Green Code site plan review.
The City of Buffalo's Division of Forestry manages all trees on public property and in the public right-of-way. Residents may not remove, trim, or damage public trees without city authorization. Requests for tree removal on city property must be submitted to the Division of Forestry, which evaluates whether the tree poses a safety hazard or is diseased. For private property, the Green Code requires tree preservation to be addressed in site plan review for new development projects. Significant trees may need to be preserved or replaced. The city's urban forestry program encourages tree planting and may provide free trees to residents through periodic tree-planting programs.
Unauthorized removal of public trees can result in fines and required replacement at the violator's expense. Removal costs and replacement values can be substantial for mature trees.
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See how Buffalo's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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