Lately, there have been several questions on whether a resident or tree professional needs a permit in the City of Forest Hills to remove a tree, and the answer is yes under most conditions.
The city has created and implemented a detailed Woodland and Tree Ordinance to protect and maintain our beautiful landscapes throughout our city.
As a general rule, you will need to apply for a tree permit in our permit portal of the city's website at Permit Portal - Tree Permit whether you are a homeowner or a professional. This is to identify what trees you are wanting to remove from the property and why. Our tree permits do not have any fees attached but the records are used to keep track of the tree canopy on the property and to insure healthy native trees are not being removed without just cause. Clear cutting of any lot is strictly prohibited.
Each residential zoning has a tree canopy ratio it must maintain that can be referenced in the Tree Application Guidelines. If the removal causes the tree canopy ratio to fall below the required retention level, you must provide the city a tree planting plan to bring the tree canopy above the minimum required percentage. Healthy native trees are usually not allowed to be removed without good reason, but if circumstances are approved, you must replace the tree with a similar species inch for inch.
To find out more about the city's tree protection ordinance, you can go to our website at City of Forest Hills - Woodland and Tree Protection for more details.
The following are exemptions that do not need a permit:
The removal of dead trees
Trees that have fallen due to storms or natural occurrences.
Removal of trees listed in the current edition of Invasive Exotic Pest Plants, published by the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council.
Trees that are under 8" in caliper or underbrush