Tree Protection in Minnesota (2026)
20 rules on the books across Minnesota, 12 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Heritage & Protected Trees
Extra protections for old, large, or historically significant trees, including the penalties for removing them without approval.
Eden Prairie
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Eden Prairie, a Heritage Tree, generally 32 inches or more in diameter, cannot be removed without the…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Significant RestrictionsMaple Grove's city council can designate individual trees as protected landmark trees for unique physical, historical…
Read full rule →Blaine
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Blaine, any live healthy tree of eight inches or more in diameter, measured at 4½ feet up, counts as a…
Read full rule →Duluth
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Duluth, any resident can nominate a tree to the natural resources commission for heritage-tree…
Read full rule →Lakeville
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, a heritage tree is a healthy hardwood deciduous tree at least thirty inches in…
Read full rule →Woodbury
Some RestrictionsWoodbury protects two tiers of trees by size. City Code Sec. 27-39 defines a 'Significant tree' by minimum diameter or…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Duluth
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Duluth, ten native tree species, including white and Norway pines, white cedars, white spruces, eastern…
Read full rule →Lakeville
Significant RestrictionsLakeville's zoning code singles out heritage trees, hardwood deciduous trees thirty inches or more in diameter or…
Read full rule →Apple Valley
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, oak trees get the code's only species-specific replacement rule: a lost…
Read full rule →Eagan
Some RestrictionsEagan requires a city-approved tree preservation plan before new development, new building construction, a…
Read full rule →Eden Prairie
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Eden Prairie, tree preservation rules under City Code § 11.55 protect Significant and Heritage Trees by…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis requires new development to preserve 'significant trees', remnant native stands, rare or horticulturally…
Read full rule →Plymouth
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Plymouth, the Code defines exactly which trees its development regulations protect. A 'Significant Tree'…
Read full rule →Parkway Planting
Permits and rules for planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb, including approved species lists and Bureau of Street Services standards.
Apple Valley
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, § 153.59 of the Code of Ordinances sets the planting standard for street trees…
Read full rule →Blaine
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Blaine, trees planted in the public boulevard, the strip of right-of-way between the curbline and the…
Read full rule →Brooklyn Park
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Brooklyn Park, § 97.35 gives the city the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees in public…
Read full rule →Coon Rapids
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Coon Rapids, City Code § 10-503 lets residents plant and maintain trees in the boulevard next to their…
Read full rule →Duluth
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Duluth, no one may plant vegetation on public property, including street boulevards and rights-of-way…
Read full rule →Eagan
Some RestrictionsEagan City Code § 7.08, Subdivision 1.D governs any tree or shrub placed in a street right-of-way or boulevard…
Read full rule →Minneapolis
Some RestrictionsPlanting any tree in a Minneapolis parkway or street boulevard requires a free permit from the Park Board's general…
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