San Antonio, TX Invasive Plant Rules: Tree-of-Heaven Removal (2026)

Sec. 35-523(f)(1)C of the Unified Development Code designates eight "Non-native invasive tree species": Chinese Pistache, Chinaberry, Chinese Tallow, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Salt Cedar, Japanese Ligustrum, Nandina, and Paper Mulberry. These species "are not protected and will be omitted from the tree survey" that applicants must perform under the city's tree preservation program. That program otherwise requires identifying "significant" trees (six inches or greater DBH for most species) and "heritage" trees (24 inches or greater DBH) and preserving a minimum share of their diameter inches or canopy area, tied to minimum final tree canopy targets under Sec.

35-523(e) of 38 percent for single-family residential, 25 percent for multi-family and nonresidential, and 15 percent in CRAG areas. Because Tree of Heaven carries no protected designation, it can be cut down as part of routine site clearing, grading, platting, or building-permit review without a tree permit, without triggering the mitigation ratios in Table 523-2, and without a variance from the city arborist. " The tree preservation program is coordinated by the Department of Development Services and enforced by the city arborist under Sec. 35-493; civil penalties collected there fund the city's Tree Mitigation Fund, which pays for replacement plantings elsewhere.

None of that enforcement machinery reaches Tree of Heaven, since the species is affirmatively excluded from the survey and canopy calculations that generate those obligations in the first place.