Participants in the tree program, Loreese Cain and Mary Bulger, speak with Council President Pro Tem James Tate about the positive impact of new program. [Photo credit: City of Detroit]
The City of Detroit announced the launch of the Dead, Dangerous, and Diseased Tree program last week. The program will allow residents to report trees on their private property they feel need to be trimmed or removed. If the trees qualify, they will be trimmed or removed at no charge to the resident.
The program will be funded with up to $8.3 million, $5 million from the FY 22-23 budget surplus and an additional $3.3 million allocated in the FY 23-24 budget, both approved by City Council.
Officials say the safety of residents was the city’s first consideration when creating the new program.
“We have experienced a lot of extreme weather recently and falling trees have caused power outages and severe damage to public and private property, which could potentially cause physical harm to our residents,” explained Jerrell Harris, Deputy Director of the General Services Department. “Our goal is to work with as many residents as possible to help keep them safe while also relieving them of what could be a financial burden.”
“Many underestimate the impact trees have on homeowners’ peace of mind. Look around Detroit and there are trees, some as old as the city,” said Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate. “Unfortunately, many have roots and limbs wreaking havoc. Heavy rain and wind pound the weakened trees and dead branches end up on people’s cars and roofs, making an already expensive and dangerous problem worse as the years go by.”
While the City has always been responsible for maintaining the trees between the sidewalk and streets, some residents require financial help to handle the dead, damaged, or diseased trees on their private property.
If a resident believes they have a dead, dangerous, or diseased tree on their private property, they can call (313) 224-4444 or go to Department of Neighborhoods and submit a request. After the request is processed, a tree inspector will evaluate the tree to see if it is indeed dead, dangerous, or diseased. If it qualifies, the City will schedule a contractor to come out and do the trimming or removal. The trimming/removal will begin this summer.
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