--- title: "Who Owns the Stump on the Tree Lawn? Rules by Town" description: "Who owns the stump on the tree lawn? See what Cincinnati, Wyoming, Milford, Hamilton, Fairfield, Covington and Fort Thomas say about street tree stumps." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # Who owns the stump on the tree lawn, and who grinds it? It depends on the town. Cincinnati takes a 311 request for stumps of city-maintained trees. Wyoming says the city grinds them. Milford and Hamilton name the property owner. Covington and Fort Thomas require city permission to remove a street tree. Read your city page before you hire anyone. GuideUpdated October 26, 20265 min read ## Tree lawn is public ground The strip between sidewalk and street usually sits on the right-of-way. City code decides who cares for a tree there. ## Some cities grind it Cincinnati takes a 311 request for stumps of city-maintained trees. Wyoming says its city does the grinding. ## Some cities bill the owner Milford says property owners are responsible for street tree removal and stump grinding. Hamilton's FAQ says the same. ## Permits come first Covington, Fort Thomas, Milford and Hamilton require city approval before a street tree is cut. ## 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/right-of-way). A tree there is a [street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/cincinnati-oh) and the post on [who grinds the stump in front of a Cincinnati house](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/who-grinds-the-stump-in-front-of-my-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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/wyoming-oh). ## 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/milford-oh) 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/hamilton-ohio-street-tree-removal-approval) and the [Hamilton page](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/hamilton-oh). ## 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/fairfield-oh). ## 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/covington-street-tree-permit-and-your-stump) and the [Covington page](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/covington-ky). 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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/fort-thomas-ky). ## How do the seven towns compare? Compare them in one view. The “Owner or city” column reflects only what the quoted page states. Town Street tree care Stump Approval step Cincinnati City (Parks Urban Forestry) 311 request for city-maintained trees Public Tree Work Permit Wyoming City, in groomed rights-of-way City grinds Not stated on the FAQ Milford Owner, after approval Owner responsible Street tree permit Hamilton Owner, per code quoted in the FAQ Owner responsible Written city approval Fairfield Owner (curb lawn) Not stated Not stated on the FAQ Covington Not stated on the page quoted Not stated Street Tree Permit Fort Thomas City maintains city trees Not stated Prior written permission For more on 811, permits and private lines, read the pillar, [before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-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](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-you-need-to-call-811-for-stump-grinding). The [stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding) service page explains what the work involves. ## Next step Once you know the stump is yours, read [how stump grinding works](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-stump-grinding-works). Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### Who owns the tree in the strip between the sidewalk and the street? It depends on your city. Wyoming says the city owns these trees. Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry maintains all city street trees. Fairfield says trees in the curb lawn are the property owner's responsibility. Look for a street tree or urban forestry page on your city site. ### How do I ask Cincinnati to grind a stump on the tree lawn? Use the 311Cincy request called Tree Stump Removal on Public Property. It is for a stump from a public tree in the right of way or tree lawn that the city maintains. Forestry staff check the grinding list, then a forester investigates and replies. ### Do I pay to remove a street tree? It varies. Cincinnati says a person who asks for removal pays the appraised value of the tree plus removal and stump grinding before permit approval. Milford says property owners are responsible for the removal and the stump grinding. Hamilton says the application is free. ### Can I hire a grinder for a stump the city owns? Check first. Fort Thomas says it is unlawful to remove a city tree without prior written permission, and Covington asks for a Street Tree Permit. In Cincinnati, forestry staff check whether a stump is already on the grinding list. Ask your city before any work starts. ### Who pays if the stump is on my side of the property line? The street tree rules in this guide apply to the public strip. Covington's page says trees on private property generally do not fall under city regulation, apart from historic overlay zones and some hillsides. Call your city before work to confirm where the property line runs. ## Terms on this page - [Public tree work permit](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/public-tree-work-permit) - [Stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding) - [Urban forestry](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/urban-forestry) - [Stump removal](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-removal) - [Right-of-way](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/right-of-way) - [Tree removal](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-removal) - [Street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/street-tree) - [Tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) ## Sources 1. [Cincinnati 311: Tree Stump Removal on Public Property](https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/311/requests/tstumpuf/) 2. [Cincinnati Parks: Urban Forestry](https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/natural-resources/urban-forestry/) 3. [City of Wyoming: Your Trees Our Trees FAQs](https://wyomingohio.gov/218/Your-Trees-Our-Trees-FAQs) 4. [City of Milford: Street Trees](https://www.milfordohio.org/departments/public_works_department/street_trees.php) 5. [City of Hamilton: Urban Forestry, Tree Pruning and Removal](https://www.hamilton-oh.gov/treeremoval) 6. [City of Hamilton: Urban Forestry, Frequent Q and A](https://www.hamilton-oh.gov/urban-forestry-frequent-questions) 7. [City of Fairfield: FAQ, trees in the curb lawn](https://www.fairfield-city.org/faq.aspx?TID=31) 8. [City of Covington: Urban Forestry](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/urban-forestry) 9. [City of Fort Thomas: Code of Ordinances Chapter 98 Trees](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/fthomas/latest/fthomas_ky/0-0-0-3752) 10. [City of Fort Thomas: Tree Commission](https://fortthomasky.org/government/boards-and-commissions/tree-commission/) 11. [City of Fort Thomas: Code of Ordinances § 98.02 Permission required](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/fthomas/latest/fthomas_ky/0-0-0-3683) 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. ## Keep reading - [Before you grind: 811, the tree lawn and street tree permitsThe Ohio and Kentucky statutes tell an excavator to notify 811 before excavation. The Ohio definition of excavation does not name stump grinding, so ask OHIO811 or Kentucky 811 if you are unsure. The call is free. A stump on the tree lawn follows city rules, and those rules differ by town.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) - [Who Grinds the Stump in Front of My Cincinnati House?In Cincinnati, a stump on a city-maintained tree lawn or right of way goes through the 311Cincy tree stump request, which routes to Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry. Staff check whether the stump is already on the grinding list. If it is not, a forester investigates and reports back. A stump on private ground is the owner's to handle.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/who-grinds-the-stump-in-front-of-my-cincinnati-house) - [Hamilton, Ohio Street Tree Removal: Approval and the StumpHamilton's Tree Ordinance requires written city approval before you prune or remove a tree in the public right-of-way, usually the strip between the curb and sidewalk. The application is free. The city's FAQ names the property owner as responsible for removal and stump grinding of trees in that strip.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/hamilton-ohio-street-tree-removal-approval) - [Covington Street Tree Permit: What It Means for Your StumpCovington asks you to fill out a Street Tree Permit before you plant, prune or remove a tree in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. Some permits carry a nominal fee. Trees on private property generally fall outside city regulation, except in a historic overlay zone or on certain hillsides.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/covington-street-tree-permit-and-your-stump) - [Do you need to call 811 for stump grinding?The Ohio and Kentucky statutes do not name stump grinding. OHIO811 asks you to contact it any time soil is disturbed, and Kentucky 811 says to contact 811 before you dig. The request is free and takes two working days. If you are unsure whether your job counts, ask the 811 center.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-you-need-to-call-811-for-stump-grinding) - [How stump grinding works, from the first pass to the pile of chipsA stump grinder swings a spinning wheel with teeth across the stump and chips the wood away, usually to 8 to 12 inches below the soil line. Iowa State Extension says the stump is gone within a matter of hours. A pile of chips stays in the hole unless you ask for removal.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-stump-grinding-works)