Midway Tree Care Program
Tree removal and pruning program
The Midway Tree Care Program is centered on creating a healthier, greener community by caring for our neighborhood’s existing tree canopy, especially in areas where it’s needed most. The vision of the program is to offer tree care services, particularly for neighbors in need, by providing necessary pruning for healthy trees and removing dead or dying trees. By providing proactive tree care for our urban forest, we are not only making our neighborhood more beautiful, we are helping to clean the air we breathe, cool our homes from the summer heat, and build a more sustainable future for our whole community!
Tree removals and pruning can be costly and out of reach for community members. This fact, along with the great number of private property ash trees in our community, led HMC to pursue sponsorship to support Midway’s private property trees. At least one funding source is secured, with others pending, and fundraising continues.
Removal of Dead or Dying Trees
Have a dead or dying tree on your property? The Midway Tree Care Program will help keep our neighborhood free from tree falls and green by removing eligible hazardous trees at no cost particularly for our elderly or low-income residents! By clearing away unhealthy, diseased and dead trees, we are making space for a healthier and more vibrant urban forest. Ash trees are currently funded, and pending funding will allow us to remove other species.
Click here for the Dead or Dying Tree Removal Request Form
Dead or Dying Tree Removal Seasonal Timeline:
- May- Aug 15th: Site applications for potential tree removal open
- September: Site are notified if we can remove the potential tree, and matched with a removal contractor
- October through winter: Selected trees are removed
Scenes of tree removal performed in the Hamline Midway Neighborhood by Vineland Tree Care, our contractors for the 2025 removal year.
Tree Pruning and Emergency Tree Care
Most trees benefit from professional tree care services that improve their chances for a long, healthy life. Additionally, storms and other issues can sometimes damage trees, which may require immediate intervention to prevent property damage, personal injury, or whole tree failure.. When funding is available, the HMC Pruning and Emergency Tree Care program will help income-burdened residents obtain care for their trees by connecting them to expert pruning and urgent tree care resources. Timely maintenance keeps trees strong for generations and prevents future hazards, so that they can continue to provide benefits to the neighborhood for years to come.
Click here for the Emergency Tree Care Form. (live when we have funding available)
Some program criteria:
- Services will be prioritized for elderly and low-income neighbors
- Any participants that receive a removal must accept a replacement; the Midway Tree Care Program will help you site and plant on the property.
- NOT eligible for the Midway Tree Care program are boulevard trees, trees on other public property or trees at places of business.
- The program will not accept requests for removals of shade trees that are in recoverable condition or requests that are based on appearance, land-use, “messiness” or other personal preferences of the property owner.
- The number of trees we can remove or prune is very limited, but HMC continues to seek sponsorship to add to this number. As funding is secured, more applications for tree care will be accepted. Funding ideas can be sent to trees@hamlinemidway.org.
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS of the MIDWAY FREE TREES PROGRAM
Hamline Midway Coalition
Hamline Midway Environment Committee
Midway’s Trees & Me LLC (consulting tree care & training arborists)
MN DNR (Releaf grant funding)
And volunteers like you!
Additional Tree Care Resources
| Learn about tree care practices | Other HMC Canopy Programs |
|---|---|
| What is an Ash Tree | HMEC Link Page |
| What is Emerald Ash Borer | Community Canopy Care Programs |
| Best watering practices | Free Trees 2025 program information |
| How to stake | Adopt-a-Tree 2025 focused roll-out near Hamline Elementary School |
| Young tree pruning | Sign up for the HMEC Newsletter |
For additional information or questions, contact the HMC office directly by phone (651-494-7682) or by email at trees@hamlinemidway.org.