Tree Services in Florence, MT

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Florence, MT?

For the usual yard tree, the first thing to know is that Florence is not an incorporated town, and we know of no municipal tree code here. That sets it apart from Stevensville, Hamilton and Missoula, whose street tree rules are covered in our guides to Bitterroot town tree rules and Missoula permits. That does not mean there are no limits. Subdivision covenants may have something to say, so check yours if you have them.

The more common catch is the road. Ravalli County's road department says that if trees or bushes in the county easement are blocking a driver's sight distance or about to fall, you should not take any action without first getting permission from the County Road Department, at (406) 363-2733. If a tree stands close to a county road, make that call before anyone starts cutting.

Which county's rules apply to burning tree debris in Florence?

The county your property is in, and the two run the process differently. Ravalli County says you obtain a burn permit once, renew it each year and activate it each day you burn, through the state's permit site or by calling 866-212-6318. It administers the process from March 1 to November 30, and from December 1 to the end of February the state DEQ may issue permits instead. It also asks people not to call dispatch or the sheriff's office about burning status.

On the Missoula County side, the health department says all burns require a permit and lists the General Outdoor season as March 1 to August 31. Its page showed the General season closed when we checked on 2 November 2026. Before you light anything, read our guide to burning tree debris and burn permits. If you would rather skip the pile, we can chip or haul brush, and our guide to firewood and wood chips after a removal covers what to keep.

What should I do about an old apple tree in Florence?

Have it looked at before you decide it is finished. The railroad branch that came up the Bitterroot helped build both the lumber industry and apple production here in the 1910s, so a very old fruit tree in a local yard would be no surprise. An old apple tree can be worth keeping for shade or fruit, but it may also be carrying decay or weak limbs that fail under a heavy crop or wet snow.

Our fruit tree pruning service covers the structural side. If you see branch tips that look scorched and blackened, read our guide to fire blight on apple and crabapple before you cut, since the cuts themselves matter for that disease. For general timing and technique, our earlier page on tree pruning and trimming in Florence and our Montana tree pruning calendar go further.

Why are deer and elk chewing my young trees?

Because you live close to winter range. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages the Threemile Wildlife Management Area primarily as winter range for elk and deer, and names Florence and Stevensville as its nearest communities. Browsing and antler rubbing can set a young tree back or kill it outright. Our guide to deer and elk damage on Montana trees explains how to tell what happened and how to protect what is left.

A damaged sapling is often better replaced than nursed along, but it is worth a look first. If you are replacing one, our guides to the best trees to plant in western Montana and how to plant a tree will help you start with something suited to the place.

Does wildfire risk change what tree work I should do here?

It can. Florence sits between the Sapphire and Bitterroot ranges, with the Bitterroot River to the east, and the properties around it range from open valley ground to timbered land. On the timbered side, tree work and fuel reduction are often the same job. Our page on fire mitigation in Florence covers the local fire history, the district and the free assessment programs.

Our fire mitigation service handles the thinning, limbing and slash. If you are planning a removal anyway, tell us at the estimate, since it can often be combined with fuel work. Autumn and winter suit this kind of work well, as our guide to fall and winter fuel reduction explains.

Who do I call about a tree near a power line in Florence?

Start with the name on your power bill. Ravalli Electric Co-op and NorthWestern Energy each publish their own approach, and the answer can depend on which line it is. NorthWestern Energy says it handles trees affecting the lines running pole to pole, while property owners are responsible for trees affecting the service line from the pole to the home or business. It offers a free disconnect and reconnect so a tree service can work safely, if you call 888-467-2669 at least three business days ahead.

Ravalli Electric says it may also need to address trees outside its right-of-way if they could fall into the lines, and that even a healthy-looking tree can be a hazard depending on location. Our guide to who trims trees near power lines compares the utilities, and our tree work near power lines page explains how we approach it. Justin Johnson, one of our owners, holds a line-clearance qualification. Never prune near a line yourself, and if a tree is touching one, stay away and call 911.

What tree services does HJ provide in Florence?

Our tree services cover removal, pruning and storm work, with stump grinding, hazard tree removal and dormant pruning among the specifics. Justin Johnson is an ISA Certified Arborist (RM-8889A), so if you are not sure whether a tree should stay, a tree health and risk assessment is the place to begin. The signs a tree is about to fail are a good thing to read first.

Removal is not always the right answer, and we will say so. More species and care guides are in the Montana Tree Guide, and the Florence service area page lists our other work here. Call (406) 215-7319 or request a free estimate.

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