Weekend storms left a path of damage, leaving the power out and trees downed across Minneapolis and other parts of the Twin Cities. In the state’s biggest city, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Public Works department clean up public property, but it’s usually up to property owners to deal with downed trees, hanging limbs and other debris. Here’s how to know when a downed tree is your problem and what you should do about it.
Did storms knock a tree onto your property? Here’s what you can do.
Severe storms took out trees and downed power lines in Minneapolis and other parts of the Twin Cities and Minnesota last weekend. While storm debris on public thoroughfares is likely not your problem to clean up, property owners are generally responsible if trees and other storm detritus land on their lawns.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 16, 2024 at 9:47PM
How do I report a downed tree or debris on public property?
To report public damage, call 311 or the forestry line at 612-313-7710.
When is a downed tree my problem?
If a tree on your property falls on your property, it is your responsibility to clean it up. If a tree on your property falls onto public property — like the street or the sidewalk — the city is supposed to take care of it, but the remaining damage on your property is still your responsibility.
“We’ll clear back to the sidewalks,” said Dawn Sommers, a spokesperson for the Park and Recreation Board, “but people get confused sometimes as to why didn’t we take the whole tree. Well, our work goes up to the sidewalk.”
If a tree on public property falls onto your private property, the Park and Recreation Board or the city’s Public Works department will remove that downed tree from your private property.
What should I do about a downed tree or debris on my property?
The city of Minneapolis collects yard waste weekly during yard waste season (usually April through November) at no additional cost. The city will only pick up yard waste that is set out in reusable containers, compostable bags or in bundles secured with string or twine. Each container must weigh less than 40 pounds. More information on yard waste pickup can be found here.
The city will not accept trees, stumps or branches longer than 3 feet or wider than 3 inches. If you have large yard waste or if the debris is in a tree or on a roof, it’s best to call a professional.
“As soon as you have to take your feet off the ground to handle it, the danger goes way up,” said Michael Van Dyken, an arborist representative at Bartlett Tree Experts in the metro area. If the debris interacts with electrical wires in any way, it’s best to loop in both tree professionals and your energy provider, Van Dyken said.
How can I find reliable tree servicing?
Make sure to ask if your tree professional is registered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and has insurance. Resources on how to find reliable services can be found here.
Bartlett Tree Experts, which serves the metro area, has recently had to turn away potential customers in favor of regulars. Van Dyken said that’s not uncommon in this field of work.
“People that never worked with tree care companies are gonna have a harder time finding somebody to help them than if you have us out regularly to maintain their trees,” Van Dyken said.
He cautioned that it’s not a good idea to make decisions out of desperation and to beware of opportunistic players who swoop in after storms. “If they’re walking down the street knocking on doors, that can be a red flag.” Van Dyken said.
In 1903, there were 89 such dining halls, which were seen as more wholesome than hot dog stands. (Less fried stuff on a stick then.)
