Nebraska
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Nebraska
Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872 because settlers had to plant nearly every tree they wanted. That planted canopy is now old, exposed to some of the strongest wind in the country, and in the two largest cities it may only be worked on by a city-licensed arborist.
The October snow and the July wind
On October 25 and 26, 1997 up to a foot of heavy snow fell on eastern Nebraska while the trees were still in full leaf. Omaha and Lincoln lost or badly damaged a large share of their mature trees in one night, and older residents still date things from it.
On July 31, 2024 a line of storms hit the Omaha area with gusts of 80 to 90 mph. The regional public power district reported the largest outage in its history, nearly all of it caused by trees and limbs on lines.
Between those bookends are regular hailstorms, tornadoes and the straight-line wind that comes with almost every summer front on the Plains.
Arborist licensing in Omaha and Lincoln
Nebraska has no state arborist license, but its two largest cities do. Omaha requires a city arborist license for anyone who trims or removes trees for hire within the city, with classes of license depending on the work, and the Parks Department publishes the list of licensed arborists.
Lincoln has its own arborist licensing requirement administered through the city, and several other Nebraska municipalities, including some Omaha suburbs, have adopted similar ordinances. Licensing normally involves an exam and proof of insurance.
Trees in the public right-of-way along the street are regulated separately. In both cities the adjoining owner has responsibilities for street tree care, but removal and planting require a city permit.
Ash borer, pine wilt and other losses
- Emerald ash borer
- Confirmed in Omaha in 2016. Ash made up a large part of the urban canopy in eastern Nebraska, and removals are ongoing.
- Pine wilt
- Has killed most Scots pines in the southeast and continues west. Infected trees should be destroyed before spring.
- Dutch elm disease
- Took the original elm canopy and still kills surviving American elms.
- Diplodia tip blight
- Browns the branch tips of Austrian and ponderosa pine in windbreaks.
Nebraska trees: keep, watch or replace
| Tree | Assessment | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Bur oak | Keep | Native, deep-rooted and wind-firm |
| Hackberry | Keep | Tolerates drought, wind and alkaline soil |
| Cottonwood | Watch | Huge and fast. Old trees drop very large limbs. |
| Silver maple | Watch | Weak forks and decay. Often badly damaged in 1997 and since. |
| Green ash | Treat or replace | Emerald ash borer |
| Scots pine | Replace | Pine wilt |
Hiring a tree service in Omaha or Lincoln
Check the city's licensed arborist list
Both cities make it available. An unlicensed operator is working illegally inside city limits.
Ask for insurance certificates
Liability and workers' compensation, sent by the insurer.
Get the scope in writing
Which trees, how low the stumps will be cut, whether wood and brush are hauled.
Ask about the right-of-way
If the tree is between sidewalk and street, a city permit may be needed first.
Common Nebraska tree situations
- Act now
Wet snow is forecast and the trees still have leaves
Move cars from under large limbs. Do not shake branches once they are loaded.
- This week
A pine turned brown within a month this fall
Arrange removal and disposal before April.
- This week
An ash is thinning at the top
Choose between treatment and removal this year.
- Plan it
A farmstead windbreak is dying out row by row
Plan staged removal and replanting. See commercial tree services for larger projects.
Nebraska tree service questions
Does a tree trimmer need a license in Omaha?
Yes. The city requires an arborist license to trim or remove trees for hire within Omaha. The Parks Department lists current license holders.
Is there a Nebraska state arborist license?
No. Licensing is done by cities. The Nebraska Arborists Association offers a voluntary certification that many companies hold.
Why did so many Nebraska trees break in October 1997?
Leaves. Snow that would have fallen through bare branches instead piled onto full crowns, and the weight was several times what the limbs could carry.
Who takes care of the tree between my sidewalk and the street in Lincoln or Omaha?
The adjoining owner generally has maintenance duties, but the tree is in the public right-of-way and removal or planting requires a city permit.
Tree service in Nebraska, by phone
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