Anne Arundel County is authorized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service, to trim roadside trees if their growth obstructs signs, signals, sidewalks, or a motorist’s vision. If vertical clearance over the roadway is not adequate, trees will also be trimmed. In order to meet the demand for this service, County forces are supplemented with contractual tree specialists. For more information on State laws regarding roadside trees, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources web site at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/treelaws.asp which includes links to helpful resources. The County standard requires overhanging trees to have a minimum 14-foot clearance over roadways, a 7-foot clearance over sidewalks, and horizontal clearance at the edge of pavement. Should tree limbs from a tree whose trunk is on private property cause a hazard to the traveling public (vehicular or pedestrian), County forces will remove the hazard as quickly as possible. Proper pruning techniques required to preserve the health of the tree may necessitate that the branch be trimmed back to the trunk. For less severe obstructions in the right-of-way, the County will attempt to work with the tree’s owner to remove the obstruction. Tree trimming is normally scheduled for dormant growth periods. However, emergency or hazardous situations are corrected immediately. 
To request roadside tree trimming, please contact the appropriate road district. Road districts are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A supervisor will investigate your concern and respond to you within one week (one day if it is a hazard) to advise you of a schedule for any needed work. | 
