Tree work rules in Montana
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
Montana has no state tree care license. Missoula licenses tree services only to work on city right-of-way trees, which isn't a license for private work.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 Montana 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
In Montana anyone applying pesticides by contract or for hire is a commercial applicator and must be licensed by the Montana Department of Agriculture. The classification is 3, Ornamental and Turf Pest Control.4-5
Get quotes from companies in your county
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Sources
What tree work costs in Montana
Published national ranges for removal, trimming, stump grinding and arborist visits, and a planning estimate for your own job.
Companies in Montana
Montana has 60 tree service companies listed, and all 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 Montana.” InspecTree, updated September 26, 2026. https://inspectree.com/mt/rules/