Little Rock Tree Pruning and Memorial Trees Bylaw

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

Little Rock, Arkansas maintains rules and programs governing tree pruning in public rights-of-way and the placement of memorial trees in city parks. This guide summarizes the practical steps residents should follow to request a memorial planting, report hazardous or unauthorized pruning, and understand who enforces tree-related bylaws. It also explains where to find official forms and how appeals or disputes are handled. Use the Resources section below to access the municipal code and department pages for current forms and contacts.

Contact Parks & Recreation before pruning trees in the public right-of-way.

Penalties & Enforcement

The primary enforcement responsibility for trees in parks and public rights-of-way is assigned to the City of Little Rock Parks & Recreation Department and its Urban Forestry or equivalent unit; other provisions may be enforced by Planning or Code Enforcement depending on location. Specific fine amounts and graduated penalties are not specified on the cited municipal code page[1]. Where dollars or schedules are not published, the department typically issues notices, stop-work orders, and may pursue civil penalties or referral to municipal court.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page[1].
  • Escalation: first offence, repeat, and continuing offences are not listed with amounts on the cited page; administrative orders and court referral are available remedies.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work or mitigation orders, required restorative plantings, and municipal court actions may be used.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Parks & Recreation / Urban Forestry handles park trees and right-of-way trees; Code Enforcement or Planning may handle trees affecting development or easements.
  • Appeals and review: procedures and time limits are not specified on the cited municipal-code page; contact the enforcing department for appeal deadlines and process.
Common violations include unauthorized removal, topping or pruning of city trees, and planting incompatible species.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes a Memorial Tree Request process through Parks & Recreation; the specific form name, fee schedule, and submission instructions are available from the department and not specified in the municipal-code page cited here. Contact Parks & Recreation to request the Memorial Tree Application, confirm fees, and learn site-approval steps.

How the pruning schedule works

Municipal pruning schedules identify seasons for maintenance pruning, storm-response pruning, and removal of hazardous trees. For planned pruning in parks, the Parks & Recreation Department coordinates schedules to limit impact on recreation and habitat. For trees in the public right-of-way (street trees), the city typically posts planned maintenance windows and notifies affected residents directly when work will occur.

  • Planned maintenance: seasonal windows published by Parks & Recreation.
  • Emergency pruning: immediate response for hazardous trees after storms.
  • Recordkeeping: permit or work order numbers are used for municipal work and contractor activity.

FAQ

Can I prune or remove a tree on the public sidewalk or park?
Private residents should not prune or remove trees located in the public right-of-way or in city parks without written permission from Parks & Recreation or the designated urban forestry official.
How do I request a memorial tree in a city park?
Request a Memorial Tree through the Parks & Recreation Department using the official application; contact the department for the current form, fees, and planting schedule.
Who do I contact to report a hazardous tree?
Report hazardous trees to Parks & Recreation or the city’s non-emergency services; emergency hazards may be reported via the city's main phone line or online service portal.

How-To

  1. Identify the need: note tree location, hazard type, or preferred memorial park site and collect photos.
  2. Contact Parks & Recreation to request the Memorial Tree Application or report the hazard.
  3. Submit the application or report with photos, contact information, and any required fee or payment method as directed.
  4. Await site review and approval; follow any instructions for planting, plaque installation, or scheduling.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not prune or remove public trees without city authorization.
  • Memorial tree requests use a Parks & Recreation application and may incur fees.
  • Report hazards promptly to Parks & Recreation for fastest response.

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