Tree work rules in Missouri
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 26, 2026
Licensing
Missouri has no state tree care license. St. Louis issues permits for work on city street and park trees, and Kansas City's contractor licenses don't include tree work.1-2
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.
Missouri keeps work 10 feet from overhead lines. To work closer, notify the utility and arrange barriers, de-energizing or relocation first, at the cost of whoever asks for it.3-5
811 and stump work
Spraying and treating trees
Anyone applying restricted or general-use pesticides on someone else's land for a fee in Missouri must be a certified commercial applicator with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The category is 3, Ornamental and Turf Pest Control.7
Get quotes from companies in your county
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Sources
What tree work costs in Missouri
Published national ranges for removal, trimming, stump grinding and arborist visits, and a planning estimate for your own job.
Companies in Missouri
Missouri has 505 tree service companies listed, and 179 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 Missouri.” InspecTree, updated September 26, 2026. https://inspectree.com/mo/rules/