Bowie, MD Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Definition threshold
- Historic/unique trees over 100 years
- Body involved
- 12-member Beautification Committee
- Committee role
- Identify, recommend conservation only
- Private-property tool
- Voluntary mutual assistance agreement
- Removal permit required?
- No, for specimen trees
Summary
Bowie's Beautification and Tree Preservation chapter defines specimen trees as historic or unique trees over 100 years old, but the code stops at identification and advisory action: the Committee may recommend specimen trees for conservation and the Council may consider mutual assistance agreements, without a mandatory permit or removal ban protecting them.
SPECIMEN TREES Particularly impressive or unusual examples of a species due to size, shape, age or any other trait that defines the unique character of the species. This shall include historic and unique trees over 100 years of age located in forested and environmentally sensitive areas or trees judged to be unique by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest, Park and Wildlife Service, or Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. ... Identification of specimen trees and areas for reforestation and possible acquisition by the City for perpetual conservation within the City. ... The City Council may consider mutual assistance agreements in instances where specimen trees are located on private property.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 21C, in force since 1989 and amended in 1997, creates a 12-member Beautification and Tree Preservation Committee of registered Bowie voters appointed by the City Council. Section 21C-2 defines specimen trees as particularly impressive or unusual examples of a species due to size, shape, age, or other trait, expressly including historic and unique trees over 100 years of age in forested or environmentally sensitive areas, or trees judged unique by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Under § 21C-4, the Committee's annual written plan must identify specimen trees and areas for reforestation and possible City acquisition for perpetual conservation, and the Council may consider mutual assistance agreements where specimen trees sit on private property, or a preservation easement with the owner's consent. None of that is compulsory: § 21C-4I states that action by the City and Committee is not intended to change maintenance responsibilities for landscaped areas unless the chapter specifically says so, and no section in Chapter 21C requires a permit before removing a specimen tree or bars an owner from cutting one down on private land.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 21C contains no permit requirement or removal penalty specific to specimen trees; the Committee's role is advisory, recommending identification and conservation plans to the Council rather than enforcing a protective standard, so no fine attaches to removing a specimen tree from private property under this chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a specimen or heritage tree in Bowie?
Do I need a permit to remove a specimen tree from my Bowie property?
Can Bowie protect a specimen tree on private land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bowie
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