Trees Urban Forestry Asheville is a city of trees, a characteristic that defines the city’s natural beauty. Asheville’s trees along city streets, in parks and natural areas, in the front and back yards of homes and in landscaped open spaces are collectively known as the city’s “urban forest.” Trees are the lifelines of our city as they beautify neighborhoods and cityscapes, offer privacy screens, provide shade and absorb harmful gases and other pollutants. Trees provide a natural habitat for birds and wildlife, protect soils from erosion, cool streets and homes in the summer, and protect us from winds in the winter. The City of Asheville is dedicated to maintaining trees, removing damaged or dead trees and trimming trees in the right-of-way to enhance the city’s natural beauty. Call the City of Asheville’s Customer Service Division at 828-251-1122 if a tree is blocking the road or to request trimming. If a fallen or leaning tree rests on a power line, call Duke Energy Progress at 1-800-419-6356 or 1-800-452-2777. Urban Tree Canopy Study – (October 2019) Asheville Urban Forestry Commission The City of Asheville has a Urban Forestry Commission made up of nine citizen volunteers appointed by Asheville City Council. The commission is administered by the director of public works with the goal of protecting and preserving Asheville’s trees. The commission co-sponsors with Asheville Green Works for the Treasured Trees program of Buncombe County, which recognizes unusual specimen trees. You might have a Treasured Tree on your property! The panel also assists commercial and residential citizens with tree and shrub selection. Join the community efforts to map trees, realize the economic impacts of trees, and use the tree key to identify tree species using the Asheville Tree Map. The commission meets at noon on the third Monday of each month in the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St. Please call 828-259-5587 with questions regarding the meeting agenda. Native Plants/Invasive Non-Native Plants The City of Asheville prohibits the planting of any invasive non-native plants on the property owned and maintained by the City of Asheville. The City encourages the planting of native trees and plants on their property to enhance Asheville’s sense of place in the Southern Appalachian area and to restore habitat for birds, bees and other wildlife that depend on native plants for sustenance. Refer to the Recommended Species List for species allowed on city property and City-owned rights-of-way. The North Carolina Native Plant Society’s Invasive Exotic Species List of Severe and Significant Threats and the Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests are lists of species that are not allowed. Below are some other links to websites to assist you in your landscaping needs: Buncombe County Cooperative Extension North Carolina Botanical Gardens Invasive Plants of Southern Forests Forestry Images Forestry Images The Bugwood Network City of Asheville Recommended Tree Shrub List Updated 10/28/2019 Related Services Sidewalk Repairs Damaged or uneven sidewalks are unsightly and can be a hazard. To report a sidewalk in need of repair, use the Asheville App or call 828-259-5852. Right of Way Maintenance To request mowing or tree trimming in the city streets’ rights-of-way, use the Asheville App or call 828-259-5852. Find information on snow removal See the priority level for streets to receive snow removal treatment. Report a broken or clogged storm drain, flooding issues or request street sweeping Help keep the city streets free from excess debris and prevent property damage from rainwater runoff. Streets, sidewalks, lanes, and greenways closures map This map details active filings for street closures submitted to the City of Asheville Report graffiti How to report graffiti to get it removed. Help fight litter Join the Adopt-a-Street Program to help reduce litter in the City of Asheville. Report a missed pickup, a pothole, hydrant leaks, and sidewalk safety issues Report issues with city upkeep such as missed trash or recycling pickups, potholes, sidewalk issues, street light outages, vandalized street signs, and more. More Related Services Trees News City of Asheville prepares for remnants of Tropical Storm Sally Posted on September 16, 2020September 18, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The remnants of Tropical Storm Sally are expected to pass close enough to western North Carolina to bring periods of heavy rain Thursday morning into Friday morning. Because of this, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch to include Buncombe County. The City of Asheville is ready. Public Works [...] City of Asheville employees continue to serve our community during time of social distancing for COVID-19 safety Posted on March 25, 2020 by Polly McDaniel City of Asheville employees continue to work during the COVID-19 public health emergency, serving you, our residents. All essential police, fire, sanitation, transit and water services are being maintained as we continue to serve and protect this community, even in this difficult time. Other employees have transitioned to a telecommuting workstation from home, where work in [...] Hemlock tree beside City Hall removed and replaced Posted on March 12, 2020March 16, 2020 by Polly McDaniel A declining hemlock tree beside Asheville City Hall will be removed and replaced with a new tree. The Public Works Tree Crew is carrying out the removal and stump grinding in coordination with the City’s planting contractor to facilitate immediate replacement. This blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) was planted after the hemlock was removed. It matches a blackgum tree [...] More Trees News
Sidewalk Repairs Damaged or uneven sidewalks are unsightly and can be a hazard. To report a sidewalk in need of repair, use the Asheville App or call 828-259-5852.
Right of Way Maintenance To request mowing or tree trimming in the city streets’ rights-of-way, use the Asheville App or call 828-259-5852.
Find information on snow removal See the priority level for streets to receive snow removal treatment.
Report a broken or clogged storm drain, flooding issues or request street sweeping Help keep the city streets free from excess debris and prevent property damage from rainwater runoff.
Streets, sidewalks, lanes, and greenways closures map This map details active filings for street closures submitted to the City of Asheville
Report a missed pickup, a pothole, hydrant leaks, and sidewalk safety issues Report issues with city upkeep such as missed trash or recycling pickups, potholes, sidewalk issues, street light outages, vandalized street signs, and more.
City of Asheville prepares for remnants of Tropical Storm Sally Posted on September 16, 2020September 18, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The remnants of Tropical Storm Sally are expected to pass close enough to western North Carolina to bring periods of heavy rain Thursday morning into Friday morning. Because of this, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch to include Buncombe County. The City of Asheville is ready. Public Works [...]
City of Asheville employees continue to serve our community during time of social distancing for COVID-19 safety Posted on March 25, 2020 by Polly McDaniel City of Asheville employees continue to work during the COVID-19 public health emergency, serving you, our residents. All essential police, fire, sanitation, transit and water services are being maintained as we continue to serve and protect this community, even in this difficult time. Other employees have transitioned to a telecommuting workstation from home, where work in [...]
Hemlock tree beside City Hall removed and replaced Posted on March 12, 2020March 16, 2020 by Polly McDaniel A declining hemlock tree beside Asheville City Hall will be removed and replaced with a new tree. The Public Works Tree Crew is carrying out the removal and stump grinding in coordination with the City’s planting contractor to facilitate immediate replacement. This blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) was planted after the hemlock was removed. It matches a blackgum tree [...]