Tree Service in Salem, Virginia

Salem is an independent city just west of Roanoke, with its own government, utilities and ordinances. Its residential streets mix older homes with mature canopy and newer neighborhoods climbing the surrounding hills, and the Roanoke River runs along the south side of town.

Check Salem's rules, not Roanoke's

Because Salem is a separate city, the City of Roanoke's tree permit rules do not apply here. If a tree is in a public right-of-way or near a public street in Salem, check with the City of Salem before cutting. We have not summarized Salem's ordinance on this site; ask the city directly.

Riverside and floodplain properties

Trees near the river and creeks grow in soils that can be saturated for long periods, which makes some of them more prone to uprooting during wind events. Sycamores, silver maples and box elders are common along waterways; some of these develop weak branch unions as they mature. A risk assessment is worthwhile for large streamside trees near homes.

Hillside neighborhoods

On sloped lots, felling direction and equipment access drive both cost and safety. Expect more rigging and roped lowering than on flat ground.

Utilities

Salem operates its own electric utility. For trees in contact with power lines, contact the utility rather than attempting any work.

Before storm season

Have dead limbs over roofs and driveways removed, and keep branches away from service drops. Our storm prep guide has a checklist, and remove or trim? helps decide what a worrying tree needs. If a tree does come down on your house, the insurance claims guide explains what is typically covered.

Ash and oak

Dead ash should be removed sooner rather than later; it becomes brittle. Oaks are best pruned in the dormant season. See the ash and oak guide.

Stumps

After a removal, grinding lets you replant or reseed. See the stump grinding cost guide.

Common jobs in Salem

Salem calls tend to involve large yard trees over older homes, dead limbs over driveways, evergreen screens that have outgrown their space, and stumps left by previous removals. On hillside lots, sectional removal and careful rigging are the norm. On riverside lots, saturated soils in wet seasons are worth keeping in mind for big trees near the house.

Evergreen screens

Rows of white pine, Leyland cypress or arborvitae planted for privacy decades ago are common in Salem yards. As they mature they can become crowded, top-heavy and thin at the bottom, and they hold ice and wet snow. Selective removal and replanting with a better-suited species is often a better long-term answer than repeated heavy cutting. When removing a row, grind the stumps so the replacement planting has a clean bed.

Salem's own electric utility

Salem operates its own electric utility, so for trees near service lines in the city, contact Salem's electric department rather than Appalachian Power.

Salem street trees and clearance

Salem City Code Section 95-3 makes owners of property along streets responsible for pruning trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks, sightlines or traffic devices, suggesting at least 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks and 16 feet over streets. Public trees may not be damaged or removed without city authorization. The City of Salem's Electric Department maintains clearance along its own lines.

Services in Salem

Tree removal, trimming, stump grinding and storm cleanup. Call (540) 904-1819.

Common questions