Garland's Invasive Plant Rules: The Rules That Matter

If you live in Garland or are thinking about moving there, invasive plant rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Garland has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of invasive plant rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Prohibited Species

The Garland Development Code prohibits planting species defined as invasive (TPWD/TDA classification) in required landscape areas and references an approved tree list.

Key details: Definition: TPWD / TDA classification. Scope: Landscape buffer areas. Approved List: Dev Code appendix. Residential: Owner discretion.

Nonconforming landscape installations in permitted development are subject to stop work and permit denial until corrected. Residential owners face nuisance-based enforcement only.

The rules around prohibited species in Garland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree-of-Heaven Removal

Garland's Development Code names Tree-of-heaven, or Ailanthus, as an Unprotected Tree under Section 4.55(R). That classification removes it entirely from the City's tree-preservation and permit-authorization requirements, so a Tree-of-heaven can be removed from a development site without a Tree Management Plan, Tree Removal Authorization, mitigation, or replacement planting.

Key details: Classification: Unprotected Tree, GDC § 4.55(R)(6). Permit needed to remove: None. Mitigation owed: None, even in Lake Ray Hubbard Take Area. Reason for exemption: Listed as invasive to North Texas.

There is no permit, mitigation, or civil penalty exposure for removing a Tree-of-heaven under Article 4, since it carries no protected status. Confusion arises only if a Tree Management Plan misidentifies a different, protected species as Ailanthus to avoid the Section 4.57(A) civil penalty of $250 per diameter inch; the City can require a certified-arborist survey to verify species identification before crediting any removal as unprotected.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garland gives residents more flexibility on tree-of-heaven removal.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Garland gives residents more room on invasive plant rules. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Garland can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.