Emergency tree removal

Menlo Park issues emergency heritage tree removal permits when trees pose an extreme risk. Trees posing extreme risk have an imminent likelihood of failure, high likelihood of impact and the consequences of impact are severe. 

Examples  of imminent failure include:

• Tree uprooting with noticeable soil fissures, heaving of the root plate and structural root fractures.  Recent lean development or worsening of an existing lean. 
• Splitting of the main trunk, often where the main branches connect to the trunk.  Fresh, white sapwood is visible in the cracks.
• Advanced decay weakening the structural integrity of the tree.  
• Large tree parts are broken and hanging.

Any of the above factors combined with close proximity to a home or business structure, power lines, road or driveway may qualify. Send photos of the condition of the tree to the City Arborist for evaluation of whether the tree qualifies for an emergency tree removal permit. If the tree does not fulfill these requirements, then a heritage tree removal permit application must be submitted to the city for review.