Tree Removal in Mandeville, LA

Tree removal in Mandeville can take extra planning, because the city protects three native species by permit. Big Easy Tree Cutting removes trees for Mandeville homeowners and businesses, and every estimate is free. If the tree in question is a live oak, bald cypress or southern magnolia, read the permit section below before you set a date.

Mandeville is part of our tree service in Mandeville area. Our main tree removal service page covers how we handle removals everywhere we work. Here is what changes when the tree is in Mandeville.

Three species that need a permit in Mandeville

Mandeville’s tree rules sit in the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Regulations Ordinance (CLURO), Section 9.2.5.7, as amended by Ordinance 25-11. Under that section:

• Live oak, bald cypress and southern magnolia trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 6 inches or more are protected.
• A tree removal permit from the Landscape Inspector is required before cutting, clearing or removing one of these trees.
• The applicant must state in writing that removal will enhance the health, safety and welfare of the public, and must offer evidence. The Landscape Inspector can issue or deny the permit.
• The rules apply in all zoning districts, which includes residential lots.
• A protected tree covered by a removal permit must be clearly marked with ribbon or string.

Removing a protected tree without a permit subjects the property owner, the responsible contractor, or both to the ordinance’s violation provisions. That is a good reason to settle the permit question before any saw starts.

Six inches of trunk diameter is not very big. A young live oak in a side yard can pass that mark well before it looks like a “big tree,” so measure before you assume a permit is not needed. The ordinance’s penalty table also refers to removing an unprotected tree without a permit on zoned property, so if your tree is a different species, ask the Planning and Development Department whether any permit applies.

Getting a Mandeville tree removal application together

The city lists the tree removal application under the Planning and Development Department on its landscape permit applications page. The department is at 3101 East Causeway Approach, phone (985) 624-3103, and applications go to permits@cityofmandeville.com. The 2025 application checklist asks for:

• A tree survey or site plan.
• Trees marked with ribbon or string (the form says not to use paint).
• A color photo of each tree.
• A replanting plan.
• A letter from your HOA, if one applies.

The form also asks whether an arborist evaluated the trees. Ask any company you are considering who will sign and submit the application, and confirm that person meets what the form requests. We can talk through what your project may need, and the Landscape Inspector confirms the requirements.

When the tree is dead or dangerous

Dead and hazardous trees still fall under the ordinance. Administrative removal is allowed only when both a Louisiana-licensed arborist and the Landscape Inspector jointly determine, in writing, that the tree is dead, terminally diseased, or poses an imminent hazard that cannot be reduced by less drastic steps.

If a protected tree is leaning over your roof after a storm, call the Planning and Development Department early and explain the situation. For a tree that has already failed or is actively coming apart, our emergency tree removal guide covers the first steps to keep your family safe.

Not sure the tree is really a goner? Arborist services in Mandeville can help you weigh pruning or care against removal. Our article on when to remove a tree also walks through common signs.

A Mandeville mailing address may mean parish rules

The rules above apply inside the City of Mandeville. Many properties with a Mandeville mailing address sit outside city limits in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, where the parish’s Unified Development Code applies instead of the city ordinance. The parish’s land clearing rules exempt single-family lots under 5 acres that are not part of a platted subdivision, though HOA covenants and subdivision restrictions may still apply. If you are unsure which side of the line you are on, check with the city’s Planning and Development Department or the St. Tammany Department of Planning and Development.

From first look to final cleanup

Our removal process stays the same from job to job:

1. Consultation and assessment. We look at the tree, the drop zone, and nearby roofs, fences and lines, then give you a free estimate.
2. Agreed scope. We confirm what comes down, what happens to the wood, and if you want the stump ground.
3. Removal day. The crew arrives and takes the tree down according to the plan.
4. Cleanup and follow-up. We haul the debris and check in with you afterward.

Cleco is the electric provider listed on the city’s community contacts page. If limbs touch or hang over a line, call Cleco before any work is scheduled.

When the tree is down, stump grinding in Mandeville clears the spot for replanting. We also handle tree removal in Slidell and tree removal in Covington.

Request your free Mandeville tree removal estimate

Have a tree you are ready to part with? Reach us through the contact page or call 504-732-9714. Let us know the species if you know it, and we will talk through the removal and what the city’s permit process may involve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Mandeville?

Inside city limits, you do if the tree is a live oak, bald cypress or southern magnolia with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or more at breast height. The permit comes from the Landscape Inspector, and the rule applies in all zoning districts. The ordinance’s penalty table also mentions removing unprotected trees without a permit on zoned property, so ask the Planning and Development Department about any other tree too.

Who handles tree permits in the City of Mandeville?

The ordinance names the Landscape Inspector, and the city’s website lists the tree removal application under the Planning and Development Department. You can reach the department at (985) 624-3103 or permits@cityofmandeville.com.

What does Mandeville’s tree removal application ask for?

The 2025 form asks for a tree survey or site plan, a color photo of each tree, a replanting plan, and trees marked with ribbon or string. It also asks for an HOA letter if one applies.

Can I remove a dead live oak in Mandeville without a permit?

The ordinance allows administrative removal only when a Louisiana-licensed arborist and the Landscape Inspector jointly determine in writing that the tree is dead, terminally diseased, or an imminent hazard. Contact the Planning and Development Department before any work starts.

Do Mandeville’s tree rules apply if I live outside city limits?

Generally, no, because unincorporated areas fall under parish rules instead. Many Mandeville mailing addresses are outside the city, so confirm which jurisdiction covers your property first.

Are tree removal estimates free?

Yes, estimates are free for all of our services. Call 504-732-9714 or use our contact form to set one up.