Tree Protection in Alexandria, VA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Alexandria, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Alexandria protects landmark trees through its historic-tree designation in City Code § 6-2-37: the city manager may designate any tree of notable historic interest, based on age, size, species, condition or historic association, and once designated it cannot be removed without city council's approval after a public hearing.
Alexandria Historic Tree Designation
Significant RestrictionsCity Code § 6-2-37
(a)The city manager may designate as an historic tree any tree which she deems to be of notable historic interest because of its age, size, species, condition or historic association. Except as provided by section 6-2-36 of this code, or as may be approved by the city council after a public hearing, no historic tree shall be removed or destroyed.(b)No historic designation shall be made with res...
Protected Tree Species
Alexandria's city manager can designate any tree of extraordinary value for its age, size, species, condition or uniqueness as a protected 'specimen tree' under City Code § 6-2-38. Once designated, it cannot be removed or destroyed except in a hazard emergency or with city council's approval after a public hearing.
Alexandria Specimen Tree Protection
Significant RestrictionsCity Code § 6-2-38
(a)The city manager may designate as a specimen tree any tree which she deems to be of extraordinary value because of its age, size, species, condition or quality of uniqueness. Except as may be provided by section 6-2-36 of this code, or as may be approved by the city council after a public hearing, no specimen tree shall be removed or destroyed.(b)No specimen designation shall be made with re...
Parkway Planting
Alexandria requires a free permit from the director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities before anyone plants, trims, prunes or removes a tree, shrub or plant in a public right-of-way, parking strip or planting strip under City Code § 6-2-2. Only species on the city's approved tree list may go into the ground there, and grass cutting is exempt.
Alexandria Parkway Tree Planting Permit
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 6-2-2
It shall be unlawful for any person, except the director or his duly authorized representative, to plant, trim or prune any tree, shrub, plant or vegetation on or to remove any tree, shrub, plant or vegetation from any dedicated street, alley or highway, public right-of-way or easement, public land lying between property lines on either side of a public street, highway or alley, public parking ...