wjla.com · September 8, 2026
331 D.C. storm tree requests still awaiting inspection as crews work through massive backl
# DC storm cleanup continues as hundreds of tree work orders remain open
by Cassie Schirm
Tue, September 8, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Updated Tue, September 8, 2026 at 7:03 PM
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Hundreds of storm-related tree complaints in D.C. were still waiting for an inspection on Tuesday as crews worked through thousands of requests generated by last week’s storm. (Brian Hopkins/7News)
WASHINGTON (7News) — Hundreds of storm-related tree complaints in D.C. were still waiting for an inspection Tuesday as crews worked through thousands of requests generated by last week’s storm.
The D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) said its Urban Forestry Division received 3,866 storm-related service requests in just four days.
As of 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, 331 of those requests had not yet been inspected.
Those requests generated 1,651 work orders, including hundreds that remained unfinished Tuesday afternoon.
DDOT said it created 718 debris pile work orders, with 398 still open. DDOT also issued 517 hazard pruning work orders, with 307 still open. More than 400 whole tree removal work orders were also generated, with 187 still open.
That means the backlog extends beyond the 331 requests still waiting for an initial inspection.
Across the three work order categories provided by DDOT, at least 892 jobs remained open Tuesday afternoon, including debris removal, hazard pruning and whole tree removal.
The latest figures are broader than the more than 1,100 tree removal requests initially reported after the storm. DDOT said the 3,866 total represents storm-related Urban Forestry service requests, which can include debris removal, pruning and whole tree removal.
Residents across the District have told 7News they waited days for fallen trees to be removed from streets and sidewalks.
On A Street NE on Capitol Hill, one massive tree sat across the roadway for days after the storm. It totaled a parked car, blocked the street and covered the sidewalk.
“We lost use of the street, and where’s the city?” Capitol Hill neighbor Fatima Said told 7News.
When 7News returned Tuesday, crews were clearing the tree.
Other locations residents previously complained about were also being cleared or had already been addressed. But residents said they still had questions about why some locations took days to reach and how the city decides which trees come first.
DDOT said crews prioritize trees blocking major roads, trees affecting critical infrastructure such as schools, police stations and firehouses, and trees that have fallen onto homes.
Some removals can also be delayed when trees are tangled in live electrical wires. DDOT said crews must coordinate with Pepco or the appropriate utility before safely removing those trees.
The work extends beyond trees already on the ground.
DDOT said it has been conducting a broader assessment of storm-damaged trees and has scheduled 386 whole trees for removal since the storm.
The agency said many of those are privately owned trees that fell into public space.
It is not yet clear whether those 386 trees are included in the more than 400 whole tree removal work orders already reported by DDOT or represent additional removal work.
In Dupont Circle, crews began removing a large tree on Tuesday that snapped during the storm and later became covered in handwritten messages from fond residents.
The tree had turned into an informal message wall, with people leaving goodbyes, thank-you notes and memories.
By Tuesday, crews were cutting the tree apart, while the stump and messages remained.
The widespread damage has also prompted concerns about trees that are still standing.
Residents who spoke with 7News questioned whether crews are checking storm-damaged trees for safety and whether similar failures could happen during another severe weather event.
DDOT said crews worked throughout the holiday weekend and will continue working through the remaining backlog.
The agency’s own numbers show the cleanup is still substantial.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 331 storm-related requests were still awaiting inspection, 398 debris pile work orders remained open, 307 hazard pruning jobs remained open and 187 whole tree removal orders remained unfinished.