DC strongly protects its urban forest under the Urban Forest Preservation Act and Tree Canopy Protection Act. A permit from DDOT's Urban Forestry Division is required to prune or remove any street tree. Heritage Trees (100+ inch circumference) cannot be removed.
DC's Urban Forest Preservation Act and Tree Canopy Protection Act provide strong tree protections administered by DDOT's Urban Forestry Division (UFD). A permit is required to prune or remove any street tree — the public trees planted between the sidewalk and curb. Trees with a circumference of 44 to 100 inches require a removal permit with the UFD. Trees over 100 inches in circumference are classified as Heritage Trees and cannot be removed under any circumstances. Tree space beautification is regulated under 24 DCMR 109 — adjacent property owners must keep tree spaces clean, and wickets, hoop fencing, sharp-pointed fencing, and raised borders are prohibited around tree spaces. Property owners who damage or remove protected trees face significant fines and replacement obligations.
Unauthorized removal of a protected tree carries substantial fines based on tree size and species. Heritage Tree removal may result in fines of $10,000 or more plus replacement costs.
Washington, DC
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See how Washington's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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