SALEM RECEIVES TREE CITY USA AWARD FOR 35TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR! Please check out the following links to read the news!

Arbor Day Foundation       2011 Oregon Community Trees

Parks Operations Division, Urban Forestry section, has a tree crew responsible for maintaining trees in city parks and in the City right-of-way.  The right-of-way typically includes trees planted between the sidewalk and street.  If you are unsure if a tree is City owned or private, please call 503-588-6335.

If you see city trees being removed or pruned by anyone other than City staff, or being damaged in some manner, please report this information to the Parks Operations Division by calling 503-588-6335. City Council adopted changes to the Salem Revised Code, Chapter 86, "Trees and Shrubs" which make it illegal to top a public tree in Salem unless it is mandated by state law.  A permit is required to prune or remove a street tree. Be sure to always call before you cut.

The Urban Forestry section often receives calls from citizens asking if they can take wood from fallen or pruned City trees. Salem contracts with the Marion County Juvenile Department, Alternative Programs Division. Their staff and youth crews cut the trees into firewood and season it under cover for 12 months. Some of the seasoned firewood is then donated to low income seniors and disabled persons. The rest is sold to the public to pay back victims of youth crime and to help with the cost of the program. Citizens can purchase seasoned cords of firewood from the program, which includes free delivery in town, by calling 503-588-5324. You can also call that number if you have a tree that is already on the ground that you would like to donate. They do not cut down trees, but work with most of the local tree services.

If you have questions about city trees and obtaining permits to prune or remove them, first check out our Frequently Asked Questions Brochure and if you cannot find an answer to your questions, please contact the Parks Operations Division at 503-588-6335.

For more information on acceptable street trees, please review our interactive Acceptable Street Tree List.