Westland's Relaxed Approach to Invasive Plant Rules: What's Allowed

Every city handles invasive plant rules a little differently. In Westland, Michigan, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree-of-Heaven Removal

Westland's zoning ordinance classifies Tree of Heaven as an invasive species, exempting it from the tree-preservation permit and replacement rules that protect other trees.

Key details: Classification: Invasive species (§11.11.3.b). Removal permit: Exempt (§11.11.4.j). Protected-tree status: Excluded. Adopted: Ord. No. 248, Oct. 21, 2024.

None for removal. Tree of Heaven's invasive designation exempts it from Article 11.11 review. Owners who instead try to count it as a protected or landmark tree during site plan review will have it excluded from DBH and replacement calculations.

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

Prohibited Species

Westland's vegetation code labels poplar, willow, box elder, and elm as 'prohibited species': trees excluded from the short list of species approved for new-construction and replacement plantings under the same chapter.

Key details: Prohibited species: Poplar, willow, box elder, elm. Code section: Westland Code § 106-1. Approved planting list: Red Sunset/Norway Maple, Bradford Pear. Diseased elm duty: Removal within 10 days of notice.

No standalone fine attaches to the definition itself; an owner who lets an elm die of Dutch elm disease faces a 10-day removal notice, and unpaid removal costs become a lien on the property under Sec. 106-68.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Westland 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.

These rules come from Westland's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.