The county seat
Hernando is DeSoto County's seat; the county Administration Building is at 365 Losher Street (main line 662-469-8000). The city had 18,824 people in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 figures, up 9.8% since April 2020, the fastest growth of DeSoto's four cities. Its median owner-occupied home value, $315,900, is the highest of the four, and 81.2% of homes are owner-occupied (2020–2024 survey; all checked Nov 11, 2026).
A Hernando mailing address doesn't always mean city limits. Outside them, county rules apply instead: no tree permit for an existing home, and burning allowed with the county's same-day permit.
When Hernando requires a permit
Hernando's tree rules are in Chapter 16 of the city code, Secs. 16-154 to 16-157, adopted by ordinance on May 7, 2019 (checked Nov 12, 2026):
- What's covered: clearing "protected trees," meaning trees 8 inches across measured 54 inches above the ground, on commercial, industrial or residential property.
- What it takes: a tree removal permit with a $100 filing fee, plus mitigation figured at 20 trees per acre of canopy.
- Who's exempt: residential parcels under one acre, and homesteaded residential parcels under five acres (Sec. 16-154).
So the permit question comes up for residential land of an acre or more without a homestead exemption, or five acres or more with one, and for commercial and industrial property. Penalties and the exact section text weren't confirmed for this site; the city's Office of Planning can confirm how the rule applies to your parcel.
The city's draft comprehensive plan of March 22, 2021 explains the thinking: "The preservation of existing trees and the addition of new trees are fundamental city planning objectives in virtually any context." It also recommends, "Require street trees for new subdivisions." Whether that draft was adopted wasn't confirmed (checked Nov 11, 2026).
Five historic districts
Hernando's Historic Preservation Commission lists five districts: Commerce Street, Courthouse Square, Elm Street, Northside, and Southside-Magnolia. The commission "oversees and applies the Historic Preservation District section of the zoning ordinance" and "grants Certificates of Appropriateness for projects within the Historic Preservation District" (checked Nov 11, 2026).
The certificate application asks for "Landscape plans and irrigation methods identified" and an "Existing tree survey and protection plan (if required)," and points applicants to the city's Historic District Zoning Regulations and Design Standards. Whether removing a single tree in a district needs a certificate wasn't confirmed for this site. If your house is in one of the five districts, check with the Office of Planning before removing a tree, and allow time for that in your plans.
Hernando's brush pickup
Hernando's Public Works runs brush routes year-round. "Brush routes are ran each day typically covering the entire city in a weeks time," the city says (checked Nov 11, 2026). Its limits are the tightest of the four cities:
- "no brush piece should be longer than 4 feet"
- "The maximum diameter of the limbs is 6 inches." "Limbs and stumps thicker than that will not be picked up."
- The pile can be no bigger than 5 feet by 5 feet by 10 feet long.
- Put it within 4 feet of the edge of the road, just inside the ditch if there is one, never on the pavement, and "Stack limbs with the cut end facing the curb."
- "The brush truck cannot handle vines, loose leaves or root balls."
- "The City will not pick up limbs that have been cut by a commercial trimming service."
Six inches is a modest limb. Once a tree's trunk or main limbs are bigger than that, the wood has to be hauled by someone other than the city, which is why hauling belongs in any written price. Public Works: 662-429-9322.
Storms around Hernando
May 18, 2025. At 10:26 p.m., "A short-lived and narrow EF1 tornado with 95 mph winds touched down on Thousand Oaks Drive" between Oak Bridge Drive and Jaybird Road. It covered 0.42 miles and was 50 yards wide, and "Damage consisted of uprooted and snapped trees in this area." The same statement notes that outside the tornado's track, "widespread straight line winds with estimated speeds of 80 to 85 mph occurred elsewhere" across parts of Hernando. No one was hurt (NWS Memphis, statement of May 20, 2025; checked Nov 11, 2026).
Jan 11, 2020. An early-morning EF-1 that tracked through Tate and DeSoto counties "crossed Arkabutla Lake and damaged trees and sheds at the Hernando Point Park," then damaged homes and storage buildings as it crossed Highway 51 (NWS Memphis preliminary survey; checked Nov 11, 2026).
January 2026. During Winter Storm Fern, warming centers opened in Hernando, Olive Branch and Southaven, and FEMA's DR-4899 later covered DeSoto County (checked Nov 11, 2026). The county has the most winter storm events of any county in Mississippi's hazard plan table, 44 from 1996 to 2022.
When a tree comes down, the storm guide covers who to call and in what order.
Power lines
Entergy Mississippi's DeSoto service center, on Highway 51 North, lists Hernando among the places it serves (checked Nov 11, 2026). Entergy doesn't trim the service line from the pole to your house; that's the owner's responsibility, and Entergy can disconnect it for a while so a contractor can clear the limbs. Report a tree in the lines at 800-368-3749. Mississippi law (Miss. Code § 45-15-3) bars work within 10 feet of a high-voltage overhead line until arrangements are made with the utility.
Burning and stumps
Open burning isn't allowed inside any DeSoto County municipality, Hernando included. Outside the city limits, a homeowner can get the county's same-day residential permit at 662-469-8080 for brush less than 5 inches across, burned at least 150 feet from standing structures and out by dark (checked Nov 11, 2026). Since the city's brush truck won't take root balls or stumps, a stump is ground in place; the grinder's operator should give Mississippi 811 three to ten working days' notice first. See the stump grinding guide.
Hernando questions
My house is in the Elm Street historic district. Can I take down a tree?
Check with the city's Office of Planning first. The Historic Preservation Commission handles Certificates of Appropriateness in the five districts, and whether a single tree removal needs one wasn't confirmed for this site.
I live on half an acre in Hernando. Do I need a permit?
No. Residential parcels under one acre are exempt under Sec. 16-154 (checked Nov 12, 2026), unless the historic-district question above applies.
Will the city pick up the limbs I cut myself?
Yes, within the limits: pieces no longer than 4 feet, limbs no thicker than 6 inches, a pile no bigger than 5 by 5 by 10 feet, placed off the pavement with the cut ends toward the curb (checked Nov 11, 2026).
From Hernando, a call or form here reaches one independent contractor serving DeSoto County. The site does no tree work and doesn't deal with the city for anyone.
Sources
- City of Hernando Code, Chapter 16 (Environment), Secs. 16-154 to 16-157, checked Nov 12, 2026.
- City of Hernando, Historic Preservation Commission, Certificate of Appropriateness application, draft Comprehensive Plan (Mar 22, 2021) and Brush Services. Checked Nov 11, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Hernando city, Mississippi; DeSoto County, home page, Burn Permits and Zoning Ordinance. Checked Nov 11, 2026.
- NWS Memphis, May 20, 2025 public information statement (Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive) and Jan 11, 2020 preliminary survey; City of Olive Branch, Jan 27, 2026 storm update; FEMA, DeSoto County declarations; MEMA, State Hazard Mitigation Plan, Section 3.9. Checked Nov 11, 2026.
- Entergy Mississippi, DeSoto service center; Entergy, tree trimming and how Entergy trims; Miss. Code § 45-15-3; Mississippi 811 law. Checked Nov 11, 2026.