Read through these Forestry FAQs to navigate tree and vegetation issues and concerns in Lakewood.
Services
Help! A branch or tree fell into the street and is blocking traffic, what do I do?
Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
- IF the tree is city property, Lakewood Forestry staff will remove it.
- IF the tree is private property, it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to clean it up.
Does Lakewood have a public dump for citizens to drop off limbs or brush?
No, not unless the city declares an emergency and opens a temporary dump site following a significant weather event.
I have a tree issue in front of my house between the street and sidewalk, who’s responsible for it?
Citizens are responsible for maintaining landscaping behind the curb or apparent edge of asphalt.
I have a tree issue behind my house in a ditch, who’s responsible for it?
Contact the Public Works Maintenance Division at 303-987-7950 or submit a service request at Lakewood.org/PublicWorks.
FREE MULCH! Where and when can I get it?
Mulch is available for Lakewood residents only. Our site is open Mon.-Thu., 7:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., and Fri., 7:30-11:00 a.m. at the Lakewood Greenhouse, 9556 W. Yale Ave. You must load yourself.
What steps can I take if I have wildfire concerns?
- Visit Lakewood.org/Wildfire for wildfire preparedness and fire mitigation information.
- Any mitigation taken by the city will depend on the exact location and the condition of the vegetation.
Notices and Citations
I received a vegetation correction notice from the city, what do I do?
Read the specific instructions; you have 30 days to complete the requested work. After this time, if all of the requested work has not been completed the city will hire a licensed tree contractor to complete the requested work and hold the property owner responsible for all costs incurred. A certified letter will then be sent to the property owner giving them 30 days to pay in full or a lien will be placed on the property.
I received a vegetation correction notice from the city, who can I hire?
All forestry work for hire in Lakewood must be completed by a licensed and insured tree contractor. For a list of contractors, visit Lakewood.org/Forestry and visit the Tree Contractor Information page.
I received a vegetation correction notice from the city; can I perform the work myself?
Yes, if you are the property owner. However, tree work can be an extremely dangerous job and is best left to a licensed and insured tree professional.
Neighbor Vegetation Issues
My neighbor’s tree or branch is growing over my fence, what can I do?
Under common Law, a property owner has the legal right to trim vegetation up to the property line so long as the property owner does not enter a neighbor’s land or damage/destroy the vegetation being trimmed.
My neighbor has branches on the ground and is not cleaning them up, what can I do?
Contact Code Enforcement at 303-987-7566 or email them at codeenforcement@lakewoodco.org.
My neighbor has a dead/dying/declining tree/branch that I’m concerned about, what can I do?
- Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
- If the Lakewood Forestry staff deem the situation as potentially hazardous, they will issue a vegetation correction notice to the property owner.
My neighbor has shrubs/tree branches low over the sidewalk or street, what can I do?
Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
My neighbor has shrubs or trees obstructing visibility at an intersection, what can I do?
Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
My neighbor has a cottonwood tree that keeps dropping cotton, what can I do?
- IF the tree is alive, unfortunately there is nothing the city can enforce on this subject.
- IF the tree is declining or has significant deadwood, submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.