Wyoming
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Wyoming
Trees in Wyoming's towns survive wind, hail, drought, alkaline soil and a growing season that can be under four months. The ones that make it to maturity are valued, and the decision to remove one deserves more thought here than in wetter places.
What damages Wyoming trees most?
Wind and wet spring snow, acting on trees already stressed by drought and cold. Cheyenne, Casper and Laramie are among the windiest cities in the country, with gusts over 60 mph many times each winter.
- March through May
- The heaviest snow of the year. The March 2021 blizzard set a record in Cheyenne and broke limbs across the southeast.
- June through August
- Hail strips leaves and bark. Severe thunderstorm gusts snap cottonwoods.
- Winter
- Dry wind desiccates evergreens. Browning shows on the windward side in spring.
Standing dead forest in the mountains
The mountain pine beetle epidemic of the 2000s killed lodgepole and limber pine across the Medicine Bow, Sierra Madre and other ranges. Spruce beetle followed at higher elevations. Much of that timber is still standing, gray and rootless.
Dead lodgepole falls in wind for decades after it dies. Around cabins, along access roads and near power lines it is a continuing hazard, and removal is ordinary seasonal work in places such as Centennial, Encampment and the Snowy Range.
The same properties face wildfire. Clearing dead trees and thinning live ones around buildings serves both purposes, and the Wyoming State Forestry Division offers guidance and sometimes cost-share for it.
Town trees that grow in Wyoming
- Plains cottonwood
- The state tree and the largest. Old ones are hollow and drop huge limbs.
- Green ash
- A major part of nearly every town's canopy. Emerald ash borer has not been detected in the state, and officials ask people not to bring in firewood.
- Colorado blue spruce
- The standard evergreen. Tolerates cold but tips in wind on shallow soil.
- Siberian elm
- Tough and brittle. Often the only tree on a windy lot.
- Aspen
- Popular in mountain towns. Short-lived at lower elevations and prone to cankers.
Local rules and hiring
Wyoming has no state license for arborists and no permit requirement for removing trees on private land. Cities oversee public trees. In Cheyenne the Urban Forestry Division manages street and park trees and has required arborists doing tree work for hire in the city to be licensed. Casper, Laramie and other cities have their own tree boards and ordinances. Confirm current requirements with your city.
Distances shape the market. Outside the few larger towns there may be one or two tree companies within fifty miles, and a crane or large lift may have to travel from another city. Expect travel charges and book ahead.
As everywhere, ask for certificates of liability and workers' compensation insurance from the insurer, and for a written description of the work.
A Wyoming tree work calendar
| Months | Conditions | Work that fits |
|---|---|---|
| November to February | Frozen ground, frequent high wind | Removals and pruning on calm days. Wind cancels climbing and lift work. |
| March to May | Heavy wet snow, thaw | Storm cleanup. Repair cuts on broken limbs. |
| June to August | Hail, thunderstorms, fire season in the mountains | Hazard removal, fire-wise thinning subject to restrictions |
| September to October | First frosts and possible early snow | Remove dead and cracked limbs before winter |
Keep it or remove it
- This week
A mature tree lost limbs to snow but the trunk is sound
Repair it. Replacing a large tree here takes thirty years.
- This week
A cottonwood has a cavity and dead limbs over the house
Have it inspected. See large tree removal if it has to come down.
- This week
Dead lodgepole stand within reach of a cabin or road
Remove them before the next wind season.
- Act now
A spruce is rocking at the base
Keep away from its fall zone and call.
Wyoming tree service questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Wyoming?
Not for a tree on private property. Trees in the street right-of-way and parks are under city control.
Why can't the crew work when it is windy?
Climbing, rigging and lift work become unsafe above roughly 25 to 30 mph, and cut pieces cannot be controlled. In Wyoming that rules out a good many days, so schedules need flexibility.
Will my evergreen recover from winter burn?
Often. If the buds are alive the tree will push new growth and the brown needles will drop. Wait until early summer before deciding.
Are there emerald ash borers in Wyoming?
None had been confirmed in the state at the time of writing. Because ash is so common in Wyoming towns, forestry officials urge residents not to bring firewood in from other states.
Tree service in Wyoming, by phone
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(888) 555-0142Call availability varies by area and time of day
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