Dangerous Hanging Tree Limb Removal in Neighborhoods Concludes This Week

11/14/2023

The City of Tulsa's dangerous right-of-way limb removal operations in neighborhoods concludes this week.

To report a missed pick-up through next week (11/22), and to report other questions and concerns about the recent right-of-way limb removal process at your house in Tulsa, please contact 311.

Ways to Contact 311

• Call 311 during business hours, M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Email tulsa311@cityoftulsa.org with your name, service address, and request
• Visit www.tulsa311.com; if you don't have an account, you can register online
• Tulsa 311 app; available through the Google Play and Apple App Stores

2023 Father’s Day Storm – Operations Timeline

Following the 2023 Father's Day Storm, the City implemented a three-phase approach to cleaning up tree debris and limbs. Much of the City's work was and is being reimbursed by FEMA because of the Federal Disaster Declaration.

Phase 1 - Immediate tree limb removal to make roads passable

• City of Tulsa crews, helped by ODOT and OTA, worked hard in the days and weeks following the storm.
• Crews focused on removing large tree debris from roadways to make them passable, cutting trees into manageable amounts and removing them from the sides of the road.
• During this period and continuing through August, the City opened a temporary mulch site where Tulsans and area residents could drop off their greenwaste for free while City/contractor crews utilized the existing mulch site for their operations.

Phase 2 - Curbside Greenwaste Pickup

• Announced July 10 and continuing through late August, the City asked residents to stack greenwaste in piles at their curb to be picked up at a later date by City contractors.
• City contractors then worked zone-by-zone to remove all acceptable neighborhood greenwaste placed at the curb - these efforts concluded in late August.

Phase 3 - Dangerous Hanging Tree Limb Removal from rights-of-way

• Announced in late August and continuing through November, City contractors worked to identify, cut, and remove dangerous hanging tree limbs from right-of-way areas.
• Tree limbs from this process were stacked in the right-of-way, sometimes on the edge of yards in residential neighborhoods, and removed at a later date.
• Dangerous hanging tree limb removal concludes this week in neighborhoods, but work will continue through early December in certain Tulsa Parks locations.

2023 Father’s Day Storm Totals

• More than 1 million cubic yards of greenwaste was collected from the storm, making the 2023 Father's Day Storm the second largest greenwaste cleanup event in the city's history next to the 2007 Ice Storm, which totaled 3 million cubic yards.
• In total, cleanup is expected to take about 6 months. In comparison, the 2007 Ice Storm took 18 months to clean up.
• During Phase 3 cleanup, contractors removed 51,560 hanging branches as of November 12. More than 1,200 leaning trees were also removed.
• Total storm cleanup is expected to amount to $16.6 million, of which, the City's obligation is expected to amount to about $2.1 million. FEMA and State assistance is expected to cover the rest of the cost.