Does the Forest Park dead tree program cover the stump?
No. The city’s page says the subsidy funds removal of dead and dying trees and limbs only. It says: “Subsidies will help fund the removal of dead/dying trees & limbs ONLY.”
The page then names the work it treats as extra. It calls stump removal, healthy tree limb pruning and grass seeding “cosmetic work.” It says that work is “contracted separately with the contractor and paid directly by the resident.”
So if a dead tree comes down under the program, the stump is a separate bill. This post explains that rule. Cincinnati Stump Grinding does not take part in the city program, and nothing here means otherwise.
What does the program pay?
The program is called the Residential Dead or Dying Tree/Limb Removal Program. The page says it began in 2018. Funding works like this:
| Item | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Share paid | “Subsidies will be 60% of the cost of the dead or dying tree/limb removal” |
| Cap | A maximum subsidy of $1,000 per household |
| Budget | The Environmental Program places $15,000 in its annual budget for residential subsidies |
| Order | Subsidies go to households “first-come, first-served” |
| Who | Single and double-family households |
| Not eligible | Street trees, the trees between the sidewalk and the street |
Notice the last row. A street tree in the tree lawn is not part of this program. For how Cincinnati treats those, see who owns the stump on the tree lawn.
When is registration?
The page lists August, and says “registration occurs the entire month.” The page does not name a year on that line. Confirm the year with the Environmental Office before you rely on it. Based on today’s date, October 26, 2026, the August 2026 window has passed. The next window is August of a later year, which the page does not date.
The yearly schedule on the page runs in order:
- August: register in person at the Environmental Office in the City Municipal Building, or call or email your name, address, phone, email and the number and location of trees.
- September and October (weather dependent): free site assessment and cost estimate from the city’s partner tree specialist.
- October through February (weather dependent): removal of the dead or dying trees and limbs.
Residents who miss August can contact the Environmental Office to ask whether funding is still available. The page says they “may be able to register” if it is.
What does the page say about stumps?
Three things matter. First, the program does not pay for stump removal. Second, the page says stumps cannot be higher than 7 inches and labels that a City Ordinance. Third, it says the tree specialist cuts stumps 2 inches above the soil line unless the resident requests a slightly higher stump.
A stump cut at 2 inches fits the height rule, but it is still a stump. The page lists stump removal as work the resident pays for. Read what is stump grinding and grinding depth to see how the depth works.
The page tells residents to raise stump questions with the tree specialist before signing the assessment. It lists stump removal under cosmetic work “paid for by the resident.” For flush and below-grade options, see flush cut and stump grinding vs stump removal.
What should I do before I sign?
- Read the assessment line by line. Ask whether it lists the stump and at what height.
- Ask the Environmental Office what counts as cosmetic work.
- Get quotes for stump work separately. Compare them in stump grinding cost.
- Check whether any work is “stated and agreed to in writing.” The page says extra work not in the written assessment is the resident’s cost.
This post is about the city’s rules only. It is not an endorsement of any provider. The page was read on October 26, 2026. For local pages, see stump grinding in Forest Park.
Next step
Read stump grinding cost to plan the part the program does not cover. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Forest Park tree program pay for stump removal?
No. The city page says the subsidy funds removal of dead or dying trees and limbs only. Cosmetic work such as stump removal is contracted separately and paid directly by the resident.
When do I register for the Forest Park program?
The page lists August, and says registration occurs the entire month. It does not name a year in that line, so confirm the year with the Forest Park Environmental Office before you plan.
How high can a stump be in Forest Park?
The program page says stumps cannot be higher than 7 inches, and calls that a city ordinance. It also says the tree crew cuts stumps 2 inches above the soil line unless the resident asks for a slightly higher stump.
Terms on this page
Sources
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.