Call Us Now: 504-732-9714
Call Us Now: 504-732-9714
Big Easy Tree Cutting offers arborist services in New Orleans for homeowners and businesses who want a clear, practical read on their trees. We look at tree health and risk, build pruning plans, help you get ready for storm season, and give you straight advice on whether a tree can be saved or should come down. Estimates are free.
Big shade trees are a big part of why people love living here. They also sit close to houses and overhead wires, and our heat, rain and storms put them through a lot.
Big Easy Tree Cutting is a New Orleans tree company, and this page is the starting point for our arborist work across the metro area and the Northshore.
We start by walking your trees with you. Depending on what we find, the visit can include:
You can see everything we do on our tree services overview.
New Orleans updated its tree rules in 2025. Ordinance No. 30255 was adopted by the City Council on March 27, 2025 and approved on April 7, 2025. It rewrote Chapter 106, Article IV of the City Code, “Protection of Vegetation.” You can read the city’s summary on the New Orleans Tree Protection Ordinance page.
The key point for homeowners: this ordinance covers city trees. The code defines a city tree as “a tree located on any city property or right-of-way.” That includes trees on neutral grounds, in parks and in the strip between the sidewalk and the street, which the Department of Parks and Parkways maintains. Under Sec. 106-213, no person may remove, cut or interfere with a city tree without the department’s prior written approval.
Sec. 106-219 lets owners ask the department in writing to have a city tree beside their property cut, pruned or removed. Work at the owner’s expense needs prior written permission, must be done by arborists, and requires at least 10 working days’ notice. You can also request city tree service through 311.
Trees on your own private lot are a separate question. The ordinance’s permit rules are written for city trees, and the City Code sections above do not set a general permit for removing a tree on a private lot outside the development and landscape-plan process. Rules can still depend on location and project, including historic districts, so confirm with the City before a removal.
Any work on a city tree needs a permit. The city’s Tree Work Permit page says a Louisiana licensed arborist must submit a description of the work, a copy of their license, and an insurance certificate naming the City of New Orleans as certificate holder. The page says the permit is free of charge and lasts for 60 days.
Because the arborist applies, ask any company you hire who will submit it. We can talk through what your project may need, and Parks and Parkways confirms the requirements. The city’s maintenance rules for trees on city property also prohibit topping, which lines up with our view on why you should never top a tree.
Louisiana licenses arborists through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Horticulture Commission. Under La. R.S. 3:3808(A), a person who presents himself as, or advertises as, engaging in the arborist profession must obtain a license. That license covers recommending or doing tree removal, work to prolong a tree’s life, and work to improve its appearance. The LDAF arborist licensing page lists tree removal, pruning, trimming, cabling, fertilization and cavity work, and says a license is required if you work on trees for a fee.
ISA certification is different. It is a voluntary private credential from the International Society of Arboriculture, and ISA’s own program guide says its certifications “do not represent licensure.” Eligibility calls for full-time arboriculture experience, or a mix of education and hands-on experience, and certified arborists must keep up with continuing education.
Before you hire any tree company, we suggest you:
New Orleans is a city of old oaks. City Park covers about 1,300 acres and is known for its collection of mature live oaks, some reportedly older than 600 years. The park is reported to have lost about 2,000 trees after Hurricane Katrina. Uptown, the roughly 350-acre Audubon Park along the Mississippi is home to the Tree of Life, a well-known landmark.
Your backyard oak can face similar pressures, from heavy limbs over roofs to hurricane winds. Our guide to live oak care in New Orleans covers the basics.
Power lines need special care. Entergy New Orleans serves all of Orleans Parish, and Entergy says it is not safe for you or private contractors to work near energized lines. Louisiana law generally prohibits work that could bring a person or tool within 10 feet of a line carrying more than 600 volts. If limbs touch or hang over a line, call Entergy at 800-ENTERGY (800-368-3749) first.
We serve neighborhoods from Uptown and Mid-City to Lakeview, Gentilly, Algiers and the Bywater, plus the communities below. Each page covers that area’s own tree rules. You can also browse our full service area list.
We come out, look at your trees and give you an estimate. Once we agree on the scope, our crew does the work, cleans up the debris and follows up with you afterward.
Ready for a close look at your trees? Request your free estimate online or call us at 504-732-9714, and we’ll give you a plain answer on what they need.
The City Code sections that cover trees do not set a general permit for removing a tree on a private lot outside the development and landscape-plan process. Rules can depend on location and project, including historic districts, so confirm with the City before you remove a tree.
The ordinance applies to city trees, which the code defines as trees on city property or right-of-way. That includes neutral grounds, parks and the strip between the sidewalk and street. It does not set a permit rule for trees on private lots.
Only arborists with prior written approval from the Department of Parks and Parkways may work on city trees. The city’s Tree Work Permit must be submitted by a Louisiana licensed arborist. You can also ask for city tree service through 311.
The Louisiana arborist license is a state license issued through the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. ISA certification is a voluntary private credential, and ISA says it does not represent licensure. Some professionals hold both, so ask about each one separately.
Ask for the license number and the name on the license, then compare it with the licensed-arborist list on the Department of Agriculture and Forestry website. You can also call the department at 225-952-8100.
Call Entergy at 800-ENTERGY first when limbs touch or hang over a line. Entergy says it is not safe for homeowners or private contractors to work near energized lines. Louisiana law also generally prohibits work within 10 feet of high-voltage lines without arrangements with the line owner.