Union County, NC Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Article 55's tree removal and replacement rule targets naturally occurring trees standing outside a lot's 'buildable area,' defined by the ordinance as everything outside the required zoning setbacks, existing and proposed street rights-of-way and easements, and utility easements. 030 requires the location, size and species of every tree with a diameter breast height of 12 inches or greater to be inventoried and shown on the development plans submitted to the county. If a qualifying tree is removed, the developer must mitigate the loss by planting one or more replacement trees whose combined DBH totals at least 125% of the DBH that was removed, a ratio meant to replace lost canopy at better than a one-to-one rate.

The permit-issuing authority can modify or waive that replacement obligation in two situations: when there is not enough room on site for a replacement tree to grow to health, or when the trees being removed are diseased, dying, or of an invasive or undesirable species. Trees the plan shows as retained are not just counted; before any excavation starts, the property owner must erect a barrier around the drip line of each retained tree so construction crews know that disturbing the area under the canopy is off-limits except with the administrator's approval, and that barrier has to appear on the construction plans.