Tree Protection in Duluth, MN (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Duluth, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
In the City of Duluth, any resident can nominate a tree to the natural resources commission for heritage-tree designation, which the city council makes by resolution under Duluth Legislative Code § 35-30.1. Once a public heritage tree is designated, it cannot be girdled, stripped of more than 30 percent of its limbs, or root-damaged unless the tree inspector calls it hazardous.
Duluth Heritage Tree Designation and Protection
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 35-30.1
(a) Any citizen or resident of the city may submit a nomination to the natural resources commission nominating any tree in the city for designation as a heritage tree. The commission shall decide on an annual basis whether to recommend such designation to the city council, which makes designations by resolution. ... (c) Designated heritage trees on public property may not be removed or harmed b...
Protected Tree Species
In the City of Duluth, ten native tree species, including white and Norway pines, white cedars, white spruces, eastern hemlocks, sugar maples, American basswoods, American elms, yellow birches and all oak species, get extra legal protection as 'special tree species' under Duluth Legislative Code §§ 35-26 and 35-29.1. The tree inspector cannot approve removing one of these trees from public property to open up a private view.
Duluth Special Tree Species Protection Rule
Significant RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code §§ 35-26(i), 35-29.1(d)
(i) Special tree species. White pines, red or Norway pines, white cedars, white spruces, eastern hemlocks, sugar maples, American basswoods, American elms, yellow birches and all oak species; ... The tree inspector shall not approve the removal of trees identified as special tree species under the authority of this Section;
Parkway Planting
In the City of Duluth, no one may plant vegetation on public property, including street boulevards and rights-of-way, without written approval from a city tree inspector first. Boulevard vegetation is otherwise unregulated, except any tree over three-quarters of an inch in diameter still needs sign-off. Duluth Legislative Code § 35-28 gives the city forester's tree inspectors control over what goes into the parkway strip.
Duluth Boulevard and Parkway Tree Planting Rules
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 35-28
(a) Except as otherwise provided for in this Article, no person shall: (1) Plant any vegetation on public property without having received the prior written approval of a tree inspector; ... (b) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to vegetation located on boulevards except for trees having a diameter in excess of three-quarters of an inch located on boulevards;
Looking for St. Louis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Duluth city rules.
Tree Protection in St. Louis County →