Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Fort Worth vs North Richland Hills
How do tree removal & heritage trees rules compare between Fort Worth, TX and North Richland Hills, TX?
Fort Worth and North Richland Hills have similar restriction levels.
Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 6.302 (Urban Forestry), as amended in April 2025, requires permits to remove protected trees during development and preserves 50% of post oak and blackjack oak canopy. Criminal fines for unlawful removal are $2,000 per tree, with civil penalties up to $1,200 per diameter inch of canopy lost.
View full Fort Worth rules →North Richland Hills, TX
Tarrant County
North Richland Hills requires a tree removal permit for any protected tree 6 inches DBH or larger in residential zones, and 8 inches DBH in other zones, under Chapter 114 of the code.
View full North Richland Hills rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Worth | North Richland Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 6.302 | - |
| Protected Species | 47 (post oak and blackjack oak heightened) | - |
| DBH Threshold | 24 in (18 in for post/blackjack oak east of I-35W) | - |
| Criminal Fine | $2,000 per tree | - |
| Civil Penalty | Up to $1,200 per diameter inch | - |
| Residential threshold | - | 6 in DBH |
| Other zones | - | 8 in DBH |
| Heritage species | - | Live oak, pecan, bur oak |
| Mitigation | - | 1:1 caliper or fund |
| Violation | - | 500 dollars/tree |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Worth FAQ
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my Fort Worth yard?
Removing a non-protected tree on an established single-family lot generally does not require a permit, but protected species such as large post oaks require a permit and replacement under Sec. 6.302.
How much is the fine for cutting down a protected tree?
Criminal fines are $2,000 per tree, plus civil penalties up to $1,200 per diameter inch of canopy removed, after the April 2025 urban forestry amendments.
North Richland Hills FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Yes, any protected tree 6 inches DBH or larger in residential zones needs a removal permit.
What if the tree is dead?
Dead, diseased, or imminently hazardous trees can be removed with expedited city approval.
What does mitigation cost?
Replacement planting at 1:1 caliper inches or roughly 200 dollars per inch to the tree fund.
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