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1. Who manages the street trees located between the curb and sidewalk?

All trees planted within the public right-of-ways are managed by the City of Frederick, which are regulated under the State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Laws.

2. Am I allowed to have a tree planted in front of my property; and if so, what steps do I have to follow to do so?

In order to have trees planted owners must go through an application process via the Parks Division or the Parks Division website. Once applications are received at the address posted on the application the property will be inspected by an authority from the Parks Division. During this inspection the authority will assess if there is space available and no utility conflicts for the planting of a tree.

After the property has been inspected the Parks Division will make the determination if a tree can be planted while keeping up with efforts to ensure public safety and reduce maintenance costs for the City of Frederick.

3. Can I decide what tree to have planted in front of my property?

All trees planted in the City are selected from the City of Frederick's Recommended Tree list. In most cases the owner has the option to choose between two or three species, but due to many long term neighborhood and community infrastructure issues, final decisions are up to the Parks Department.

4. As spring comes, am I allowed to mulch and/or plant flowers around the street tree in front of my residence?

Yes, you are allowed to mulch and plant around the public right-of-way tree. For the health of the tree, according to current arboricultural standard practices, no more than two to three inches of mulch should be applied and to stay a minimum of six inches away from the tree trunk collar. The excess soil and mulch will cause the bark to rot enabling stress to the tree; this will expedite the decline.

Permanent borders or built-up planters around trees are not allowed. They are a trip hazard and cause undesirable root growth.

5. Who is responsible for the pruning of the street trees?

The City of Frederick employs an arborist who is a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert and International Society of Arboriculture certified. Additionally, the City employs other staff that is Maryland Certified Roadside Tree Care Experts within their maintenance crews. Our Arboricultural staff routinely visits each public right-of-way tree and provides appropriate maintenance using a tree inventory system. This is system is utilized to assist preventative maintenance scheduling on a 5 to 7 year cycle. A majority of the trees have an identification number associated with them to help track their growth, health, pruning, removal, and replacement.

Note: Residents as well as professional arboricultural companies are not allowed to prune any public right-of-way tree without the permission/authority of the City of Frederick

6. I believe that my street tree is dead. How should I have this tree removed?

Contact the City of Frederick Arborist in the Parks Division at (301) 600-1233 and state your concern. Once the Parks Division has been notified, the tree will be evaluated. Base on the evaluation proper steps will be taken by the Parks Division to remove the tree if necessary.

If you have any other questions about the right of way trees, please contact the City of Frederick Arborist at (301) 600-1233.