Tree care · Midwest
South Dakota has a dry continental climate with hot summers, cold winters and steady wind across the plains. Trees on the plains are mostly tough shade and windbreak species, while the Black Hills are cooler and greener with ponderosa pine forests. Wind, hail and drought are the main things that hurt yard trees.
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.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPopulus deltoides
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesUlmus americana
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesQuercus macrocarpa
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesUlmus pumila
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesPinus ponderosa
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPicea pungens
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesAcer negundo
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesCeltis occidentalis
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesGleditsia triacanthos
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesJuniperus virginiana
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.
Hail, strong thunderstorms and tornadoes are most common from May to August on the plains. Winter blizzards and ice storms can bring down limbs from November to April.
Main storm months: May to August for hail and severe storms; November to April for snow and 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.
Late winter, while trees are dormant, is a good time to prune most shade trees. Avoid heavy pruning in a dry summer, and ask a local arborist for the safe dates to prune elms.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Some South Dakota cities require a permit or approval before work on street trees or in the public right of way. Many cities have tree ordinances, so check your city before work starts. 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 South Dakota, 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 South Dakota. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. See the South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
Nearby states
For tree service owners
Green ash, cottonwood, American elm, bur oak, Siberian elm and hackberry are common on the plains, and ponderosa pine grows across the Black Hills. Blue spruce and eastern red cedar are often planted as windbreaks.
Hail, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are most common from May to August. Heavy snow and ice can also break limbs from November to April.
We did not find a state rule for trees on private land, but many cities have tree ordinances, especially for street trees. Check with your city before work starts. This is a short explanation, not legal advice.
Ash trees are common, and emerald ash borer is a serious threat to ash across much of the country. Ask an arborist or your extension office about the current map and your options for treating or replacing ash trees.
For most shade trees, late winter while they are dormant works well. Elms are different, so ask a local arborist for safe pruning dates.
Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, get written quotes, and ask about certified arborists. Read the state rules on our South Dakota tree service license page too.
We found no state-level license just for tree work in South Dakota. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. Our South Dakota state rules page has the details and links to official sources. Short explanation, not legal advice.
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.