Tree work rules in Minnesota
What the state says about tree work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.
Checked September 23, 2026
Licensing
Every company or person doing tree care, trimming or removal for hire in Minnesota must register with the Department of Agriculture's Tree Care Registry. The registry doesn't check insurance or skill, so ask a company about both.1
Tree removal permits
Ask your city or county government whether removing a tree needs a permit where you live.
Trees near power lines
If a tree is touching the power line to your house, keep clear and call your utility first. Clearing the line is the utility's job, and a tree company can't start until it's done.
In Minnesota the federal OSHA rule is the one that applies: workers who aren't trained for line work keep 10 feet from lines up to 50,000 volts.2
811 and stump work
Spraying and treating trees
Applying any pesticide for hire in Minnesota needs a commercial applicator license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the right category. For trees that's Category E, Turf and Ornamentals.4-5
Get quotes from companies in your county
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Sources
What tree work costs in Minnesota
Published national ranges for removal, trimming, stump grinding and arborist visits, and a planning estimate for your own job.
Companies in Minnesota
Minnesota has 2,031 tree service companies listed, and 1,154 of them hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to companies near you.
Cite this page
“Tree work rules in Minnesota.” InspecTree, updated September 26, 2026. https://inspectree.com/mn/rules/