Fallen Trees

Information for our Park Neighbors About Trees

In compliance with existing Maryland Regulations, it is the property owner’s responsibility to remove fallen trees and debris from private property.

For more information on our compliance with Maryland Regulations, please see the following FAQ: Information for our Park Neighbors about Trees and attached publication from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, Frequently Asked Questions: Fallen Trees on Private Property.

The Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Help Desk is a one-stop shop for reporting and checking the status of maintenance issues in our Parks.

How do I report tree related concerns on park land to Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation?

Call the Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Help Desk at (301) 699-2255, or by email at customerservice@pgparks.com for non-emergencies.

Who is responsible for removing the tree or limbs that have fallen onto my property?

Under Maryland Law, fallen trees, or similar accidents that may be qualified as an “Act of God,” the affected owners are responsible for damages to their property, including cleanup, removal and related expenses. These expenses may be covered under the homeowner’s insurance policy.

What is the status of my existing work request?

Call the Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation Help Desk at (301) 699-2255.

Why doesn’t Prince George’s County remove trees from private property?

The Arboriculture Section of Prince George’s County Parks Department has a duty to mitigate known risks associated with trees located on park property; especially, in and around amenities or areas where we invite the public. In compliance with existing Maryland state laws, it is the property owner’s responsibility to provide removal of trees, debris and make repairs to private property.

What is the process after work request is created?

Our Senior Arborist will inspect the request within 3 to 5 business days. After inspection, the work is prioritized and scheduled with respect to the tree crews work program.

How does the Senior Arborist prioritize work requests?

The Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Department has an active policy to maintain the safety of Parkland from potential damages and/or injury resulting from trees considered to be a “high risk” of failure. The Arboriculture Sections strives to eliminate, in a timely fashion, any tree growing on Parkland that is deemed to be of high risk of failure. Priority is placed on trees deemed to create unsafe situations. The determination of the risk of failure associated with any given tree is determined by our Senior Arborist with respect to their professional experience and the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Assessment standards.

What determines the timeline for completion of work?

There are 568 parks in Prince George’s County which encompass over 29,000 acres of land. The Arboriculture Section consistently has numerous active work requests for tree work that have already been inspected, prioritized, and are waiting in queue to be completed by our staff of highly-trained tree professionals. Find the closest park in your area outfitted with the amenities you desire.

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