Clarksville's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In Clarksville, Tennessee, there are 3 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.

Heritage & Protected Trees

The city tree board administers a landmark tree program covering trees of unusual rarity, size, age or historical value. Designation of a privately owned tree requires the owner's express permission and can be withdrawn later.

Key details: Program: Landmark tree register. Size threshold: Thirty inches DBH. Owner consent: Required for private trees. Withdrawal: Allowed on written notice. Administered by: City tree board.

Damaging, cutting or removing a designated landmark tree without the city forester's authorization violates Section 1-1707(c) and draws a civil fine per day under Section 1-1711(a).

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Clarksville gives residents more flexibility on heritage & protected trees.

Tree Replacement Requirements

When a city department or utility removes a city public tree it must replant caliper for caliper. A homeowner who removes a private tree owes no replacement, and development tree preservation credits are voluntary.

Key details: Homeowner replacement rule: None. City tree removal: Caliper for caliper replacement. Waiver authority: Mayor may waive. Landscaping replacement: One year or next planting. Preservation credits: Voluntary, six-inch trees surveyed.

Failing to replace required landscaping lets the building official refuse an occupancy permit, order replacement, or start legal proceedings under Zoning Ordinance Section 7.8.

Tree Removal Permits

Clarksville's tree chapter reaches city rights-of-way, easements, parks and other city land, plus private trees that are a hazard or public nuisance. A homeowner may remove a healthy tree from their own lot without any city permit.

Key details: Healthy private tree: No permit required. Street and park trees: Forester permission required. Private property authority: Hazard or nuisance only. Landscape chapter: Excludes one- and two-family lots. Enforcement: Building and codes department.

Cutting a street or park tree without permission brings a civil fine per day under Section 1-1711(a) plus repair, replacement or appraised value costs under Section 1-1711(b).

Clarksville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree removal permits. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Clarksville gives residents more room on tree protection. 2 of the 3 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 Clarksville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.