Manage Yard Trees

View of a quiet residential street shaded by a dense canopy of large green trees forming a natural tunnel. A paved road runs centrally, with parked cars on the right side.

Caring for yard trees adds value to your property, provides shade, and keeps your outdoor space enjoyable. Many problems—like falling limbs or tree disease—can be avoided with simple upkeep.

Common Questions & Concerns

Many landowners have similar concerns when it comes to their yard trees:

  • Dead or damaged limbs
  • Removing a tree
  • Signs of pests or disease
  • Planting new trees
  • Downed trees or limbs after a storm
  • Harvesting a few valuable trees

So What's Next?

While the Tennessee Division of Forestry's specialty is trees, our focus is on larger groups of trees, rather than individual trees.

For concerns or questions about trees in an urban or suburban setting or about individual trees, we recommend:

  • Check with your local municipality to see if your area has an urban forester. Urban foresters specialize in trees within an urban and suburban setting. CLICK HERE to find a listing of names and contact info for urban foresters in Tennessee.
  • Contact an ISA Certified arborist for advice or tree services. ISA Certified arborists have completed training to earn credentials as a professional, qualified tree care expert. It is important to hire a certified arborist to avoid inadvertently causing lasting harm or damage to your trees. CLICK HERE to find a local ISA Certified arborist.
  • Reach out to your local University of Tennessee Extension agent for advice on managing smaller properties, individual trees, or a small group of trees. CLICK HERE to find your local extension agent.
  • Buy native species seedlings for your yard from the East Tennessee Nursery. CLICK HERE to visit the nursery's webpage.
  • Learn more about the importance of urban and community trees and efforts to promote green space in communities across the state. Watch the video below and CLICK HERE to learn more.