El Dorado County, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned species
- Acacia, black walnut, eucalyptus, elm, palm, poplar
- Also banned
- Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Where it applies
- Public road rights-of-way on subdivided/zoned land
- Stated reason
- Weak wood, disease, destructive roots, high upkeep
- Enforcing officer
- Director of Transportation
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
El Dorado County bans planting seven tree species in public road rights-of-way. Section 12.12.070 outlaws Acacia, Black walnut, Eucalyptus, Elm, Palm, Poplar and Tree of heaven in highways within subdivided land and one-family, multifamily or commercial zones, citing weak wood, invasive roots and high maintenance.
Some types of trees, upon maturing, instead of becoming assets to the community, become liabilities due to structural weaknesses, disease or insect susceptibility, short life, destructive root systems and rank growing branches requiring excessive maintenance. Due to one or more of these characteristics, it is unlawful to plant the following trees in any public highway within subdivided lands and land zoned as one-family residential districts, multifamily residential districts and commercial districts within the County: A.Acacia;B.Black walnut;C.Eucalyptus;D.Elm;E.Palm;F.Poplar;G.Tree of heaven.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
12, Roadside Trees, targets species the County has found become liabilities rather than assets once mature. 070 explains the reasoning: these trees develop structural weaknesses, disease or insect susceptibility, short life, destructive root systems and rank growing branches requiring excessive maintenance. Because of one or more of those traits, the section makes it unlawful to plant seven listed species in any public highway within subdivided lands or land zoned one-family residential, multifamily residential or commercial within the County: Acacia, Black walnut, Eucalyptus, Elm, Palm, Poplar and Tree of heaven.
070 species are barred outright from the same rights-of-way regardless of whether an owner seeks a Commissioner permit for some other species. 030, meaning street trees, parkway strips and public rights-of-way, not interior private landscaping. 080. 120, with removal costs assessed to the owner after ten days' written notice.
Violations & Fines
Planting one of the seven barred species curbside is a misdemeanor under Section 12.12.140, punished per the Chapter 1.24 general penalty: a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in County jail, or both, under Section 1.24.010. The Director of Transportation can also require correction of a resulting hazard as a public nuisance under Section 12.12.120, removing it and billing the owner if the owner doesn't act within ten days of written notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eucalyptus banned in El Dorado County?
Does the ban cover trees on my own property?
What if I already have a banned tree species by the curb?
What's the penalty for planting a prohibited roadside tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
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