To remove, cut, or disturb any New Orleans city tree — including the live oaks on neutral grounds, planting strips, and rights-of-way — you must get prior approval from the Department of Parks and Parkways, and only approved licensed arborists may do the work.
New Orleans has a real public-tree protection ordinance in City Code Chapter 106, Article IV (Sec. 106-211 et seq.). A 'city tree' is any tree on city property, neutral ground, right-of-way, or the planting strip between curb and sidewalk. Sec. 106-212 states no person may remove, cut, disturb, or interfere with a city tree without prior department approval, and only arborists approved by the department may perform the work. Construction near city trees triggers additional Critical Root Zone (CRZ) protection rules under Sec. 106-213. Anyone who damages or destroys a city tree must notify Parks and Parkways and repair or replace it to the department's satisfaction. Contact Parks and Parkways (permit @ 504-658-3200 / nola.gov) before any street-tree work.
Removing, cutting, or damaging a city tree without approval violates Ch. 106; the responsible party must repair or replace the tree to the department's satisfaction, plus any applicable penalties.
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See how Orleans Parish's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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