Madison MGO 10.10 regulates trees in the terrace (public right-of-way) and requires City Forestry permits for removal. Private tree removal is generally unregulated. Dane County has no countywide private tree ordinance. Oak wilt restrictions under Wis. Stat. §26.30 ban April 1 to July 31 pruning.
Madison General Ordinances 10.10 places all terrace trees and street trees under the jurisdiction of City Forestry; residents cannot prune or remove them without a permit from the Parks Division. Private-property trees within Madison generally do not require a removal permit except during construction review or when a Landmark Tree designation applies (MGO 10.055). Dane County does not impose a general private-property tree removal ordinance, leaving authority to municipalities. Sun Prairie Ch. 25 and Middleton Ch. 25 require permits only for trees in terraces. Fitchburg Ch. 20 similarly regulates public trees only. Wisconsin Statute §26.30 and DNR advisories restrict pruning of red and bur oaks between April 1 and July 31 due to oak wilt (Bretziella fagacearum) transmission risk. Emerald ash borer (EAB) protocols under Dane County Emergency Order require removal of dead ash trees under ATCP 21. Heritage or Landmark trees in Madison require Landmarks Commission review before removal.
Unauthorized removal of Madison terrace tree: $500 to $5,000 plus replacement at full appraised value (MGO 10.10). Oak pruning in restricted period: DNR advisory, potential quarantine. Landmark tree removal without permit: up to $10,000.
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See how Dane County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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