The removal of dead, dying, or hazardous trees (DDH) has remained relatively consistent over the past two years, although it is 7% higher than four years ago.

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Very few DDH permit applications are denied and the approval rate is increasing each year. Permit denials started being reported in the second quarter of 2021, with an 88% approval rate for that year. In 2022, the approval rate rose to 91%, and in 2023, it increased further to 94%

In 2020-21, more trees were removed as DDH than healthy trees. However, the increase in healthy tree removals now means that 1.7 healthy trees are removed for every DDH tree removed.

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Except for the first six months of COVID-19, the quarterly data shows a seasonal pattern in the removal of DDH trees. The fewest DDH permits are issued between October and December, then steadily increase throughout the next year before dropping off again in the fall.

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One might expect DDH tree removals to correlate with the number of plan reviews each quarter, but the quarterly reports show no seasonal pattern linking DDH permits to plan reviews, as illustrated in the chart below::

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