Cheyenne, Wyoming
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Cheyenne
Every tree in Cheyenne was planted on what had been open shortgrass prairie at 6,000 feet. The city licenses the businesses that care for them, and the weather decides which days that work can be done.
- County
- Laramie
- Tree rules
- City of Cheyenne Urban Forestry Division
- Key local rule
- Tree maintenance businesses must hold a city license and carry insurance
- Electric utility
- Black Hills Energy
- Main hazards
- High wind, spring blizzards, hail, drought, winter desiccation
A planted forest on the high plains
When the railroad reached Cheyenne in 1867 the townsite had no trees. Residents planted cottonwoods along irrigation ditches, and a federal horticultural station west of town spent decades testing which trees and shrubs could survive the cold, wind and dry air. Many of the species used across the northern plains were proven there.
The city's oldest neighborhoods, around the Capitol and in the Avenues, now have cottonwoods, elms, ash and spruce a century old. They are large, valued and, in the case of the cottonwoods, increasingly hollow.
A local program has planted thousands of new trees in front yards and along streets in recent years to diversify a canopy that leans heavily on a few species.
The tree maintenance business license
Cheyenne's city code has a chapter on tree maintenance businesses. It requires a city license for businesses that prune or remove trees or apply pesticides to trees and shrubs, sets qualifications for the licensee and employees, and requires insurance. The Urban Forestry Division enforces it and publishes a list of licensed arborists.
The same division manages trees in parks and along streets and sets the standards for planting in the public right-of-way.
A tree on your own lot can be removed without a city permit. The license requirement applies to whoever you hire to do it, so confirm the company is on the city's list.
Weather that damages Cheyenne trees
| Hazard | When | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring blizzards | March to May | The March 2021 storm set the city's snowfall record at more than 30 inches and broke limbs across town |
| Hail | May to August | Strips foliage and bark. Repeated hail weakens trees for years. |
| Wind | Year-round, strongest in winter | Gusts over 60 mph are routine. Brittle limbs and shallow-rooted spruce fail. |
| Early fall snow | September and October | Heavy snow on leaves, as in September 2020 |
| Winter drying | November to March | Evergreens brown on the windward side |
Arranging tree work around the wind
Expect flexible dates
Climbing and lift work stop at around 25 to 30 mph. Companies reschedule often.
Book ahead for spring
After a blizzard, every company in town is busy for weeks.
Ask about city branch collection
After major storms the city has organized drop-off or pickup for broken limbs.
Confirm the license
Out-of-town crews arrive after storms. The city license still applies to them.
What grows, and what goes wrong
- Plains cottonwood
- The original shade tree. Very large limbs break from old, decayed trees.
- Green ash
- A large share of the city's trees. Not yet affected by emerald ash borer in Wyoming.
- Colorado blue spruce
- Reliable in the cold. Ips beetles and tussock moth attack stressed trees.
- Siberian elm
- Survives anything and breaks in everything.
- Bur oak, hackberry, honeylocust
- Recommended for new planting. Slow to start, sturdy later.
After a spring snow
Limbs split at the fork but still attached
They will drop as the weight comes off or the wind rises.
Young trees bent to the ground
Leave them. Most straighten on their own.
A spruce leaning with soil raised behind it
The root plate has let go. Keep clear.
Torn bark below a broken limb
Needs a clean cut to heal. See tree trimming and pruning.
Cheyenne tree service questions
Do tree services need a license in Cheyenne?
Yes. City code requires tree maintenance businesses to hold a license and carry insurance. The Urban Forestry Division publishes the current list.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my Cheyenne property?
No. The requirement falls on the business doing the work, not on the owner of a private tree.
Should I shake snow off my trees?
Gently brush small trees from below before the snow freezes on. Do not shake large limbs or stand under them.
Why did my spruce turn brown on one side over winter?
Winter desiccation. Dry wind pulls moisture from needles while the ground is frozen. If the buds are alive, new growth will cover it.
Reach a tree service in Cheyenne
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in the Cheyenne area, or leave your number and one will call you back.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day