Tree Protection in Michigan (2026)

In the City of Dearborn Heights, no one may remove a tree from private or non-city property without a tree permit from…

In the City of Novi, the planning commission may designate any tree historic or specimen under City Code § 37-6.5…

Rochester Hills protects landmark trees, those listed in American Forests' Champion Trees National Register or the…

The City of Southfield designates certain trees as landmark trees under City Code § 5.56(13): any tree twenty-four…

Sterling Heights requires 100% caliper-for-caliper replacement of any 'landmark tree' removed under a development…

Taylor's Zoning Ordinance Sec. 16.03 treats landmark and historic trees as a protected class in the City of Taylor…

Westland designates certain large, healthy trees as landmark trees that are fully regulated: every landmark tree…

Grand Rapids designates trees of exceptional historic, cultural, or ecological value as Public or Private Landmark…

In the City of Kalamazoo, trees on the Protected Tree List in Table 6.2-4, plus any tree over 24 inches in diameter…

In the City of Dearborn Heights, Sec. 33-30(h) protects any tree of 24 inches DBH or larger as a 'landmark tree,' and…

Sterling Heights protects 'landmark trees': any species 32 inches in diameter or larger, plus about two dozen listed…

Troy's Zoning Ordinance protects "Landmark Trees": healthy trees of listed species meeting a minimum trunk size, or any…

In the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, Section 1262.04(c) protects existing trees counted toward landscaping…

Grand Rapids' zoning code protects any tree six inches or more in trunk diameter from removal during site development…

Pontiac City Code § 130-2 protects any tree with a diameter breast height (d.b.h.) of six inches or greater, and §…

Rochester Hills gives extra protection to 'specimen trees,' regulated trees at or above 24 inches in diameter or, for…

In the City of Taylor, Michigan, before removing, damaging or destroying a landmark tree you need a tree removal permit…

Westland caps removal of protected trees at 20 percent of a parcel's total tree diameter before mandatory replacement…

In the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, street and park trees are planted by the Department of Public Works, not by…

Clinton Township protects trees standing in the public right-of-way and controls where new ones can go. Section 1024.06…

Dearborn sets exact spacing, species and clearance rules for trees planted along city streets and public parkways.

In the City of Dearborn Heights, Sec. 33-28 requires every new residence to have one or more street trees planted…

New residential subdivisions in Detroit must plant street trees meeting Recreation Department standards for soil depth…

Flint requires at least three feet of clear space between sidewalk and curb before a street tree permit is granted…

Grand Rapids requires one small street tree per 25 feet of lot frontage, or a medium/large tree per 40 feet, whenever a…

In the City of Kalamazoo, planting a tree in the curblawn or street right-of-way requires prior written permission from…

Lansing's landscaping chapter defaults the parkway strip to grass and requires City Forester and City Engineer sign-off…

New Livonia subdivisions must plant at least one shade tree in the parkway strip between the sidewalk and curb in front…

Novi requires developers to plant and bond street trees before final occupancy. Under City Code Section 26.5-40…

Section 106-102(g) of the City Code requires subdividers in the City of Pontiac to preserve existing right-of-way trees…

Rochester Hills sets minimum planting distances for every street tree planted in a public right-of-way under City Code…

In the City of Royal Oak, shade and ornamental trees planted on public highways, parks or other public places must…

In Southfield, trees planted in the parkway strip between the sidewalk and curb must sit at least 40 feet apart, at…

Sterling Heights sets exact placement rules for trees planted in the street right-of-way: no planting near…

In the City of Taylor, Michigan, no one may plant a tree in a public highway (the parkway strip between the curb and…

Troy's Zoning Ordinance requires one street tree for every 50 lineal feet of frontage along internal public or private…

Warren lets residents landscape the city-owned margin area between the lot line and the street through an…

West Bloomfield Township requires developers to plant at least three trees on every lot in a new subdivision…

Westland requires new homeowners and anyone replacing a tree to plant balled-and-burlapped Red Sunset Maple, Norway…

Planting a tree in a Wyoming, Michigan public right-of-way, including the parkway strip between sidewalk and street…