Tree Protection in Westland, MI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Westland or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Westland has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Protected Tree Species

Westland caps removal of protected trees at 20 percent of a parcel's total tree diameter before mandatory replacement planting kicks in.

Key details: Removal cap: 20% of protected-tree DBH inches. Protected tree minimum: 15 ft tall, 6-in DBH. Applies to: Parcels over 2.5 acres / site plan review. Adopted: Ord. No. 248, Oct. 21, 2024.

Exceeding the 20 percent removal threshold without a tree replacement plan violates Article 11.11; the planning commission or planning director can require replacement trees, a tree-fund payment, or off-site planting before approving the site plan or compliance permit.

Parkway Planting

Westland requires new homeowners and anyone replacing a tree to plant balled-and-burlapped Red Sunset Maple, Norway Maple, or Bradford Pear trees in the parkway before a certificate of occupancy issues.

Key details: Required species: Red Sunset Maple, Norway Maple, Bradford Pear. Minimum tree size: 8 ft tall, 2 in diameter. Spacing standard: 1 tree per 70 ft frontage. Corner lots: At least two trees required. Replacement guarantee: One-year written guarantee filed with director.

Failure to plant the required parkway trees can hold up a certificate of occupancy; the department of public service enforces this chapter, and general Code penalties under § 1-8 apply to violations of Chapter 106.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Westland designates certain large, healthy trees as landmark trees that are fully regulated: every landmark tree removed must be replaced, with no percentage exemption.

Key details: Landmark tree replacement: 1 in. DBH per 2 in. removed. Health standard: >50% ISA condition rating. Removal exemption: None: all landmark trees regulated. Adopted: Ord. No. 248, Oct. 21, 2024.

Removing a landmark tree without planning commission or planning-director approval and a replacement plan violates Article 11.11 of the zoning ordinance and is enforced under article XXIX, which can include stop-work orders and required after-the-fact replacement planting.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Westland actively enforces its heritage & protected trees requirements.

The Bottom Line

Westland's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Westland is broadly strict or permissive.

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.