Little Rock Tree Pruning & Memorial Program Bylaw

Parks and Public Spaces Arkansas 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 10, 2026 Flag of Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas maintains rules and programs for pruning, planting and memorial trees on public property. This guide explains who enforces tree work in city rights-of-way and parks, how memorial tree programs operate, and the practical steps residents must follow to request service, apply for memorials, or report hazardous trees. It draws on official City of Little Rock sources and Parks information to point to permits, contacts and application pathways.

Overview of Rules

Street trees and park trees are managed by the City of Little Rock's Urban Forestry program. Unauthorized pruning, removal, or planting in the public right-of-way can be subject to enforcement actions and required remediation. For program details and tree policies see the Urban Forestry page and the City memorial tree program pages below. Urban Forestry[1] Memorial Tree Program[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement responsibility: Urban Forestry and the Parks & Recreation Department enforce tree work on public property; Code Enforcement may handle violations on private property that affect the public right-of-way. Specific penalty amounts and schedules are not detailed on the cited City pages and are therefore not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Enforcer: City of Little Rock Urban Forestry and Parks & Recreation.
  • Inspection and complaints: submit requests via the Parks contact or 311 where available.
  • Fines and fees: not specified on the cited page.
  • Appeals or reviews: procedures and time limits are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, mandatory remediation, and stop-work directives are used per departmental authority.
Contact the city before trimming street trees to avoid penalties.

Applications & Forms

The City posts program information and contact forms for memorial trees and service requests on the Parks pages; specific permit form numbers or fee schedules are not listed on the program pages and are therefore not specified on the cited page.[2]

  • Memorial tree requests: apply through the Parks & Recreation memorial program page or contact Urban Forestry.
  • Tree removal/pruning requests: submit via Urban Forestry contact or city service portal.

Common Violations

  • Unauthorized removal of street or park trees.
  • Pruning that damages the health or structure of public trees.
  • Planting incompatible species in the public right-of-way.

Action Steps

  • Before work: contact Urban Forestry to confirm whether a permit or city crew is required.
  • Apply for a memorial tree via the Parks memorial program page or by contacting Parks & Recreation.
  • Report hazardous trees or emergency damage via the city service portal or Parks contact.
Document tree damage with photos and location before contacting the city.

FAQ

Can I prune a tree in the public right-of-way?
You should contact Urban Forestry before pruning any street or park tree; the city manages pruning standards and may require work by city crews.
How do I request a memorial tree?
Apply through the Parks & Recreation memorial tree program page or contact Parks for current procedures and availability.
Will the city remove a hazardous tree on private property?
If a private tree threatens public safety or infrastructure, report it to Urban Forestry or Code Enforcement for inspection and possible action.
Are there fees for memorial trees or permits?
Fee schedules and permit amounts are not specified on the cited program pages; contact Parks & Recreation for current fees.

How-To

  1. Identify the tree location and take clear photos of the tree and its surroundings.
  2. Contact Little Rock Urban Forestry via the Parks & Recreation contact page to report a hazard or inquire about trimming.
  3. For a memorial tree, follow the memorial program instructions on the Parks page and submit any required form or request information.
  4. If applicable, pay program or permit fees as instructed by Parks staff.
  5. Follow up with the department to confirm scheduling, planting, or remediation work.

Key Takeaways

  • Always contact Urban Forestry before altering street or park trees.
  • Memorial tree requests are handled through Parks & Recreation; check the program page for details.
  • Report hazardous trees promptly to protect public safety.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Little Rock Urban Forestry program page
  2. [2] City of Little Rock Memorial Tree Program page

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