What permit needed to take down infested TOH

Question: I have a TOH in my yard that has Sptted la tern flies. What permit do I need before I have it taken down. What other measures do I need to do?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 16, 2024, 11:39 AM EDT
response: Hi,  You shouldn't need a permit but you can check with your municipality to be sure. If you are in an HOA they may have some rules or guidelines that you need to follow.  Otherwise you can contact your city or town parks department or department of the environment.  You cannot just cut down a Tree of heaven [TOH] though because it will resprout from the roots and come back with multiple shoots. You will need to treat it with an herbicide and then have it removed. Depending on the size and if you are capable of removing it, you may want to look into a tree care company or certified arborist to help.  You can also refer to our page on TOH to learn about the hack and squirt method and the best time of year to do so (now before the leaves turn color and start to fall off). There are some additional links and a video that are helpful to view as well.  Even if you remove the tree of heaven, which would be helpful in controlling the Spotted Lanternflies, and be beneficial to get rid of an invasive species, you will still have some SLF in your yard. Their population is so abundant now, that they are throughout most of Maryland but studies have shown that they are not harmful to healthy trees and pesticide is more harmful to the beneficial insect population.  Let us know if you have further questions.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 16, 2024, 12:05 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I noticed 2 days ago the pest in my TOH. I have contacted an arborist and we know we need to treat with herbicide and remove, and then treat stump. I was confused about a special permit to do all of this. The tree company sems competent (have used them before) and has been immediately responsive to my need. I just want to make sure I am arranging all I need to do to prevent spread.Thanks so much for your help so quickly.Mary   On Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 11:39:19 AM EDT, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 16, 2024, 1:09 PM EDT
response: Hi Mary,  Unless the tree is on a public right of way, and its on your property then you shouldn't need a permit. If the arborist company is doing the spraying they should have a pesticide applicator license that they operate with.  Just make sure, you don't want to remove the tree until it is dead and after that maybe they suggested to treat the stump, but hopefully it should be dead through to the roots then. Re-growth is possible and then you would want to treat those as they sprout or any seedlings that sprout from a seedbank in the soil.  Emily