Who owns the stump on the tree lawn, and who grinds it?

What is the tree lawn, and why does ownership matter?

The tree lawn is the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street. It usually sits on public land called the right-of-way. A tree there is a street tree. Because the land is public, the city may own the tree, the stump or both. Cities in the area do not agree on who does, so look up your own town.

The tree lawn glossary entry gives the short definition. Cincinnati’s own 311 page uses both terms together. It describes a stump from “a tree planted in the ‘right of way’ or ‘tree lawn’ that is city-maintained.”

The sections below follow each city page as of October 2026. Local code can change, so use these as a starting point and confirm with the city.

Who grinds the stump in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati handles stumps of city-maintained trees. You send a 311Cincy request called Tree Stump Removal on Public Property. It routes to Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry.

The 311 page lists the process in two steps: “Forestry staff will check if stump already on list and scheduled for grinding.” Then, “If not on the list, a forester will investigate the stump grinding request and update the requestor with their findings.”

Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry says: “Our team is responsible for the maintenance of all City street trees, or any trees in a right-of-way.” The same page covers removal of a public tree at a requester’s request: “the requesting party will be required to pay the appraised value of the tree, as well as the cost for removal and stump grinding, prior to permit approval.” See our Cincinnati page and the post on who grinds the stump in front of a Cincinnati house.

Who grinds the stump in Wyoming?

Wyoming says the city does. Its Your Trees Our Trees FAQ states: “In Wyoming, it is the City that owns these trees.” On upkeep it says: “The City is responsible for the selection, purchasing, planting, pruning, removal, and stump-grinding trees in areas with groomed rights-of-ways.”

Note the qualifier. The page limits this to groomed rights-of-way. It sets those apart from brushy ones. If your strip is brushy, ask the city which side it falls on. See the Wyoming page.

Who grinds the stump in Milford?

Milford puts it on the property owner, after the city approves removal. The city page says a permit comes first: “Property owners are required to submit a street tree permit before pruning, removing and/or planting trees in the right-of-way or other public places.” Then: “Property owners are responsible for the street tree removal and stump grinding.”

That is a different answer from Wyoming’s. The Milford page has the local detail.

Who grinds the stump in Hamilton, Ohio?

Hamilton names the property owner and also asks for approval. The city’s Tree Ordinance requires written approval from the city before pruning or removing a tree in the public right-of-way. The application carries no charge: “There is no charge for the application to prune or remove a street tree.”

The Frequent Q and A page quotes the code: “it is the responsibility of the property owner and/ or occupant to maintain tree(s) located in the public right-of-way (including pruning, removal, and stump grinding).” Read the post on Hamilton street tree removal approval and the Hamilton page.

Who owns the tree lawn tree in Fairfield?

Fairfield’s FAQ puts the curb lawn tree on the property owner. It states: “Trees located in the curb lawn area are the responsibility of the property owner, according to Fairfield Codified Ordinance 901.05(b).” That page says nothing about the stump separately. Call Public Works to ask about a stump. See the Fairfield page.

What do Covington and Fort Thomas say?

Both Northern Kentucky cities require city permission before a street tree comes out. Neither page says who grinds the stump, so ask before you plan the work.

Covington: “If you would to plant, prune, or remove a tree in the space between the sidewalk and the street in front of your house, fill out this Street Tree Permit before you start work.” Trees on private property generally do not fall under city regulation, apart from historic overlay zones and some hillsides. See the post on the Covington Street Tree Permit and your stump and the Covington page.

Fort Thomas: its code says city trees on city land or public right-of-way are maintained by the city: “All city trees located on property owned by the city or on public right-of-ways shall be maintained by the city.” The volunteer Tree Commission will “review and make recommendations about the removal of trees in the public right-of-way (tree removal requests).” See the Fort Thomas page.

How do the seven towns compare?

Compare them in one view. The “Owner or city” column reflects only what the quoted page states.

For more on 811, permits and private lines, read the pillar, before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits.

What should I do first?

Follow these steps. They take a few minutes.

1. Find the property line. Is the stump in the strip between sidewalk and street, or in your yard?
2. Search your city site for “street tree,” “urban forestry” or “tree lawn.”
3. If the city owns the stump, make the request the city page describes. Do not hire a grinder for it before you hear back.
4. If the stump is yours, check whether a permit or approval applies. Then hire a grinder.
5. Place an 811 request ahead of any digging. See do you need to call 811 for stump grinding.

The stump grinding service page explains what the work involves.

Next step

Once you know the stump is yours, read how stump grinding works. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.