Tree care · Gulf / South Central
Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, and cooler weather in the Ozark and Ouachita mountains. Oak and hickory forests, pines and planted yard trees grow almost everywhere. Spring tornadoes and winter ice storms are the biggest reasons trees come down.
Trees that commonly grow or are often planted here. The storm risk is our plain rating for the species as a whole, not an inspection of your tree.
Pinus taeda
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesQuercus alba
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesQuercus rubra
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesQuercus stellata
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesQuercus falcata
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesCarya ovata
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesLiquidambar styraciflua
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesJuniperus virginiana
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesCarya illinoinensis
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesTaxodium distichum
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesCornus florida
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesSee every species in the tree library.
Widely known concerns in this part of the country. If you see signs, ask a certified arborist or your state extension office. Ranges change, so check your state's official maps.
More in tree pests and diseases.
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes peak from March to June, with straight-line winds that bring down large limbs. Ice storms from December to February can load limbs with weight and cause sudden outages.
Main storm months: March to June for severe storms; December to February for ice
After a storm, stay away from downed lines and call the utility. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. Read what to do after a storm and our storm guides.
The cooler months, from late fall to late winter, are a good time for most pruning and planned removals. Storm-damaged or dead limbs should be dealt with as soon as it is safe.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Some Arkansas cities have tree ordinances for protected or large trees, and a permit may be needed before removal. Check with your city or county before you cut. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Read our plain guide to tree permits.
City rules we checked in Arkansas, with links to the official sources. Checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; short explanation, not legal advice.
See tree removal permits by city for every city we checked.
For homeowners
No state tree license found
We found no state-level license just for tree work in Arkansas. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. See the Arkansas state rules page for details and official links.
Get two or three written quotes. To find local pros, search Google Maps and read their reviews. Full steps in how to hire a tree service and the hiring checklist.
Own a tree service in Arkansas?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
Nearby states
For tree service owners
Late fall through late winter works well for most trees. Dead, broken or hazardous limbs can come out any time it is safe. Ask a certified arborist about your species.
Stay away from broken limbs hanging in a tree and from any lines on the ground. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if there is danger. Then call an insured tree service, because ice-loaded wood can snap under tension.
Pines can brown from drought, root problems or bark beetles. Ask an arborist or your county extension office what is common in your area before you decide.
There is no single rule for the whole state, but some cities protect large or special trees. Check with your city before you cut. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
We found no Arkansas state license made just for tree trimming or removal. Companies that apply pesticides for hire need a commercial license from the State Plant Board. Check the state rules page and confirm with the state, since licensing can change. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Warning signs include a new lean, cracks in the trunk, dead branches, mushrooms at the base and a hollow sound or soft spots. Large trees near a house are worth a visit from a certified arborist. If a tree looks ready to fall, keep people out of the area.
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies. We do not do tree work and we do not list or rank tree companies. To find a local insured pro, search Google Maps, read their reviews and get two or three written quotes.