Tree Protection in Bowling Green, KY (2026)
4 verified tree protection rules for Bowling Green, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Bowling Green requires City approval ONLY for removal, cutting, or disturbance of PUBLIC trees (City-owned trees and trees in the public right-of-way) under Chapter XXVI § 26-8. Removal of a tree on purely private property does not require a City permit — Kentucky has no statewide private-tree protection law. Tree care companies operating within the City fall under § 26-9, with abatement under § 26-10 and penalties under § 26-11.
Bowling Green Tree-Removal Permits — Public Trees Only (§ 26-8)
Some RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
Bowling Green does not maintain a regulated 'heritage tree' registry under Chapter XXVI. The Bowling Green Tree Board and the Sierra Club of Bowling Green jointly run the 'Big Trees of Bowling Green' inventory at bgky.org/tree/big-trees-of-bg, which is recognition-only and does not create extra removal restrictions. Statewide, the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KRS 149) maintains the Kentucky Champion Trees registry (96+ species, 10 also National Champions). Champion status is honorary and does not preempt § 26-8.
Heritage Trees in Bowling Green — Big Trees of BG + KY Champion Tree Program
Few RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
Bowling Green Code § 26-8 requires that approved removals of public trees include re-seeding or replanting the disturbed area. Replacement species for public planting come from § 26-5 (Public Tree Planting) and must avoid the undesirable list in § 26-5.02. For commercial/multi-family development, the Warren County/BG Joint Zoning Ordinance Article 4.6.8 requires landscape replacement and interior VUA trees as a condition of site plan approval. Private-property tree removal does not trigger City replacement.
Bowling Green Tree Replacement — Ch. XXVI § 26-8 + Joint Zoning Art. 4.6.8
Some RestrictionsTree Ordinances
Bowling Green's tree code is consolidated in Chapter XXVI (Public Trees) of the Code of Ordinances, sections 26-1 through 26-12. The Bowling Green Community Tree Advisory Board (§ 26-4) advises the City; § 26-5 governs public tree planting and species selection; § 26-6 addresses tree topping; § 26-7 sets vegetation maintenance and ANSI A300 pruning standards; § 26-8 requires City approval to remove a public tree; § 26-9 regulates tree care companies; §§ 26-10–26-12 cover abatement, penalties, and enforcement. Bowling Green has been a Tree City USA continuously since 1994.
Bowling Green Tree Code Overview — Chapter XXVI (Public Trees)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Warren County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bowling Green city rules.
Tree Protection in Warren County →