Does a dead tree at Lake Tahoe need a permit?

What TRPA says

TRPA's Trees and Defensible Space page states that removal of a dead tree that could fall on a house does not require a permit. It gives a test for what counts as dead: a conifer is considered dead when it has no green needles, while a deciduous tree must be determined dead by a qualified forester.

For a dead tree that is not near a house, the page tells the owner to contact a TRPA forester to determine whether a permit is required. The phone number given on the page is (775) 589-5294.

Why this is easier to get wrong than it sounds

A bare tree in winter is not necessarily dead, and an evergreen with some brown can still have green needles higher up. A pine that has been attacked by beetles may look fine for a while. Removing dead pines after bark beetles explains the stages.

A tree that could fall on a house also may be close to a neighbor's, a driveway or a power line. The permit exemption does not change the danger, and it does not cover other agencies' rules, such as work near a line.

How we fit in

Our ISA Certified Arborists assess every job before work starts, so they can tell you whether a tree is dead and what it could hit. They cannot decide a permit; the agency does. Bring TRPA's answer, or ask us to describe the tree for the call.

If the dead tree is part of a defensible space plan, the fire district's inspector may handle it. See who handles defensible space tree permits. Call 775.232.8243 for a free estimate. If anyone is hurt or a line is down, call 911 and NV Energy first.