City staff presented an update to the Tulsa City Council today regarding the removal of dangerous or hazardous branches, limbs, or trees in the rights-of-way or public spaces following the June 18 storm.
More than 45,000 hanging branches in the public rights-of-way, over sidewalks, and in Parks were identified for removal. As of October 23, 40,492 limbs have been removed.
Though often thought of as only medians and public spaces, rights-of-way can include the edges of people’s yards toward the curb. Work to cut all of the right-of-way limbs is expected to conclude by the end of the month. Residents with tree limbs still at their curb in the right of way should expect them to be removed by November 10. Tree limb removal at Tulsa Parks locations is expected to conclude by December 10. Residents with limbs at the curb do not need to take any action.
The City announced this endeavor in August and has posted updates to its social media channels throughout the process. As crews finish this work, the City asks for patience from residents as storm clean up continues. Remaining work is currently underway in areas mainly in south Tulsa where residents may still see crews at work and branch piles present.
The removal of hanging limbs is covered under the Federal declaration from the storm, and there are specific documentation requirements that must be followed for limbs to be identified, cut, and safely removed. Over the past several months, inspection crews canvassed Tulsa roadways for tree branches and documented all limbs consistent with FEMA guidelines.
Throughout this cleanup process, crews worked on a grid system as they cut and piled branches alongside the curb. Follow-up tree debris removal crews followed behind, working to collect piles within two weeks.
Dangerous tree limb removal is beneficial to not only the City’s reporting efforts to FEMA, but to Tulsans. Because damaged and hanging tree limbs can dislodge during times of high wind and extreme freezes, Tulsa is safer as a result of these efforts.
The June 18 storm is expected to be the second largest greenwaste cleanup effort in Tulsa’s history. More than 1 million cubic yards of greenwaste have been collected with a cleanup window of six months. In comparison, the 2007 ice storm produced approximately 3 million cubic yards of debris and took 18 months to clean up.
For more information about limb removal and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the City’s website at www.cityoftulsa.org/weather.
Residents with questions specific concerns about this process can contact 311 during regular business hours or email Tulsa311@cityoftulsa.org, providing the location and a description of the concern.
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