Trees and Forestry

The City of Plymouth Department of Municipal Services provides maintenance to trees located in the right-of-way and on public property. Please call the office at 734-453-7737 ext. 0 and speak to our staff to begin the process for a service request (otherwise known as a work order).

DTE Tree Trimming Program

Each year DTE and its contractors, trim trees to try and prevent possible power outages. You can view the map of the work area for the City of Plymouth in the link below.

Street Tree Planting Program

The city offers an annual program for tree planting in the right-of-way. All property owners are eligible for participation. City crews will plant, stake, and mulch the tree. Please review this year’s pricing and species availability. Contact staff via email at [email protected] with questions and to order.

Private Tree Removal

On February 20, 2024, the City Commission enacted a moratorium of portions of Chapter 34 - Environment (commonly known as "the tree ordinance") of the City of Plymouth Code of Ordinance. Specifically, the following sections of the ordinance have been suspended for a period of 90 days or until these sections are amendment, whichever occurs first: Chapter 34 Environment, Division 3, Sections 34-18, 34-19, 34-22, 34-23, and Division 4, Sections 34-24, and 34-26. These sections govern private property tree removal, private property tree replacement, and private property tree planting.

A tree removal permit is not required at this time. Please check back regularly to remain abreast of pending changes to the tree ordinance.


A permit is required before any tree is removed. This includes trees in the street, front yards, side yards, rear yards, in parks, of any size and of any condition (dead or alive).

Please submit completed tree removal applications to the Department of Municipal Services or via email at [email protected].

Replacement Requirements

Depending on the size and location of the tree that is removed, replacement may be required. Replacement trees can be placed on the property where they were removed, or in the adjacent right-of-way or by paying into the tree fund at a rate set by the City Commission.

Tree Planting

All trees must be planted to ANSI A300 standards and be a minimum of 1.5 inches in caliper size. All trees must be of an approved species. Trees on the prohibited tree list cannot be planted. Please submit completed tree planting applications to the Department of Municipal Services or via email at [email protected].

Tree Protection

A permit is required when a qualified construction project is impacting existing trees. This includes trees in the street, front yards, side yards, rear yards, and trees in parks. Please submit completed tree protection applications to the Department of Municipal Services or via email at [email protected].

Dead/Diseased/Dying Trees

The City has the right to cause the removal of any dead tree, this is performed through the ordinance enforcement process, if necessary. The City has the right to cause the removal or treatment of any diseased tree. Removal of dead, diseased, or dying trees requires a permit but do not require replacement.

Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly is a threat to many fruit crops and trees.  Learn how to spot it and report any sightings of it using the link below.

Identifying the bug
Report a sighting

Stonefly Search
Upcoming dates TBD

Take Great Care of Your Trees

Here are a few resources for taking care of trees:

TreesAreGood_Benefits of Trees_0321.pdf

TreesAreGood Consumer Brochures Proper Mulching Techniques

TreesAreGood Consumer Brochure New Tree Planting

TreesAreGood Consumer Brochure Tree Selection and Placement



Review the full tree ordinance here.