Home of the largest registered southern live oak
Tree Service in Mandeville, LA
A North Shore city that takes its oaks seriously, in its code and its yards.
- Free estimates, in person, for homes in New Orleans and nearby towns
- Itemized written price before any cutting
- Logs left or hauled, your call, agreed up front
Mandeville Protects Its Trees
Tree Service in Mandeville runs through City Hall more often than in most places around the lake. The city's land use code (the CLURO) has had specific Live Oak protection requirements in Section 9.2.5.7, and its tree removal application asks two direct questions: are any of the trees to be removed or pruned live oaks, and if so, has an arborist evaluated them? The form also asks for a homeowners association approval letter where one applies. Applications go to permits@cityofmandeville.com.
Setback trees on residential lots
The residential landscape rules excerpted on that application require that in the R-1, R-1X and R-2 districts, at least 50 percent of existing trees larger than three inches in diameter at breast height be preserved within the required yard setbacks. The landscape inspector checks preservation before a certificate of occupancy is issued. The same rules set minimum tree counts by lot size, from 24 trees on a one-acre lot down to 8 on a 10,800-square-foot lot, spread evenly through the setbacks. If you are building, adding on or regrading, plan around those numbers before anyone starts cutting.
Rules under review
In 2025 the city drafted Ordinance 25-11, which would rename the live oak section "Key Native Tree Species Protection" and extend permit requirements to bald cypress and southern magnolia six inches in diameter or larger. The draft would also require a permit to prune primary and secondary branches of live oaks 12 inches in diameter or larger, done by a state-licensed arborist or state forester, and would set $500-per-tree penalties. The posted draft leaves its adoption date blank, so check the current rule with the city before you schedule work on any of those species.
The Seven Sisters Oak
Mandeville is home to the Seven Sisters Oak, which the Live Oak Society lists as its current president because it is the largest live oak the society has registered. In 2016 it measured 39.6 feet around the trunk, and by 2018 its limbs spread more than 153 feet. Its age is estimated at 500 to 1,000 years. Most Mandeville yards will never hold a tree like that, but plenty of them have oaks that will be around for centuries if they are pruned properly.
Wind off the lake
During Hurricane Ida in 2021, the National Weather Service recorded a 110 mph gust in Mandeville. The lakefront is protected by a five-foot seawall, and the blocks nearest the lake have flooded repeatedly during storm surges, including in Katrina, Isaac and Ida. For lakefront oaks, that means root stress from repeated flooding and full wind exposure from open water, both good reasons for regular inspection.
How we approach Mandeville work
We look at every tree, identify which species fall under city rules, and tell you plainly where a permit or arborist evaluation is likely to be needed before we put dates on the calendar. For everything else, you get a written estimate. Call (504) 384-7694. Get a free estimate
Mandeville Tree Rules and Facts
- Live oak protection. Mandeville's CLURO includes Live Oak protection requirements (Section 9.2.5.7), and its tree removal application asks whether live oaks are involved and whether an arborist has evaluated them.
- 50% setback preservation. In R-1, R-1X and R-2 districts, at least 50% of existing trees over 3 inches dbh in required yard setbacks must be preserved and verified before a certificate of occupancy.
- 2025 draft ordinance. Draft Ordinance 25-11 would extend protection to bald cypress and southern magnolia 6 inches dbh and up and require a permit to prune major limbs of live oaks 12 inches dbh and up.
- Seven Sisters Oak. Mandeville's Seven Sisters Oak, the Live Oak Society's largest registered live oak, measured 39.6 feet in girth in 2016 with a limb spread over 153 feet.
- Ida wind. The National Weather Service recorded a 110 mph gust in Mandeville during Hurricane Ida on August 29, 2021.
Our Services in Mandeville, LA
Mandeville Questions
Do I need a permit to prune a live oak in Mandeville?
Possibly. The city's tree application covers removal and pruning, asks specifically about live oaks, and asks whether an arborist has evaluated them. A 2025 draft ordinance would require a permit for pruning major limbs of live oaks 12 inches in diameter or larger. Check with the city before scheduling.
Can I take out trees in my front yard setback?
In R-1, R-1X and R-2 zoning, at least half of the existing trees over three inches in diameter in required setbacks must be preserved. Removing more than that can be a problem when the city inspects, so plan removals with that rule in mind.
Is my HOA approval enough?
No. The city's tree application asks for an HOA approval letter where an association applies, but that is in addition to the city's own review, not instead of it.
What happens if a protected tree is removed without a permit?
The 2025 draft ordinance lists $500 per tree penalties and replacement requirements. Whatever the final version says, it is far cheaper to ask first.
Free Estimates in Mandeville, LA
Free estimates from Old Mandeville's lakefront to the Causeway corridor.
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