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Tree Protection in Greensboro, NC (2026)

2 verified tree protection rules for Greensboro, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Heritage & Protected Trees

Greensboro's Land Development Ordinance protects large, noteworthy 'specimen trees' as the third-highest priority for on-site conservation during development. A specimen tree is defined by size, age, rarity or historical significance, with large hardwoods and softwoods at 24-inch DBH or more and understory trees at 10-inch DBH qualifying by default.

Greensboro Specimen Tree Protection Rules

Some Restrictions

Greensboro Land Development Ordinance §§ 30-15-18 (Specimen Tree), 30-12-1.5(E)

Specimen Tree: A single tree of a group of trees considered to be an important community asset due to its unique or noteworthy characteristics or values. A tree may be considered a specimen tree based on its size, age, rarity or special historical or ecological significance, as determined by the Planning Director. Examples include large hardwoods (e.g., oaks, poplars, and maples) and softwoods ...

Parkway Planting

Anyone planting a tree in a Greensboro street right-of-way needs a written permit from the parks and recreation director first, and the species, size class, and spacing must match the city's official street tree plan on file at the parks and recreation office.

Greensboro Street Tree Planting Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

Greensboro City Code § 19-38

The parks and recreation director shall maintain the official street tree plan which incorporates the street tree species permitted, classes of size, spacing requirements and distance to be planted from curbs, curblines and sidewalks. Prior to the planting of street trees, each person must apply and obtain a written permit from the parks and recreation director, or his/her/their designee. All p...

Looking for Guilford County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Greensboro city rules.

Tree Protection in Guilford County