Forestry & Environmental Services Division

Forestry

The Forestry Division is responsible for the trees on city property and right-of ways. Because of the highly proactive involvement of the Oakdale government in the promotion of trees, the city is a designated “Tree City USA.” Oakdale has also been recognized as a pollinator-friendly community.

The City Forester works on controlling and preventing tree diseases, and identifying hazardous trees. If you have a question about the health of your tree, email the city forester or call 651-501-5302. The City's forester is not a certified arborist; for more intensive tree issues, please select an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist at the Arborist Search website.

Environmental Services

Environmental Services staff preserve and enhance publicly-owned natural resources in the city, such as lakes and ponds, wooded areas, and prairies.

Nuisance Trees

Tensions mount when a boundary tree becomes a nuisance to a neighbor on one side of the boundary and not the other. The best advice is to try to work out the problem in a neighborly way, instead of taking your case to court. Disclaimer: The information included in these FAQs is intended to be educational, not legal advice. If you have a legal problem and require legal advice, please consult a lawyer.  

  1. What is a nuisance tree?
  2. What is a boundary tree?
  3. Who owns a boundary tree?
  4. How do I locate the boundary lines for my property?
  5. What can I do if the roots or branches from my neighbor’s tree encroach into my yard?
  6. What is self-help?
  1. What are the consequences of trespassing to cut down my neighbor’s tree?
  2. What can I do about branches, leaves, fruit, and other debris from my neighbor’s tree?
  3. Who owns the fruit on the branches of my neighbor’s tree that hang into my yard?
  4. My neighbors cut down their tree that shaded my yard. Do I have any recourse?
  5. Where should I go to seek legal help, if needed?
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More Information

  1. Boulevard Tree Stewardship (PDF)
  2. Fighting Buckthorn (PDF)
  3. Grass Clippings (PDF)
  1. Oakdale Urban Forest Management Plan (PDF)
  2. Tree Owner's Manual (PDF)