Cedar Park, TX Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Heritage size threshold
- 26-inch DBH
- Pruning limit w/o permit
- 30% of crown
- Mitigation ratio
- 3:1 replacement trees
- Cash-in-lieu rate
- $450 per caliper inch
Summary
A heritage tree in Cedar Park, a hardwood with a 26-inch-or-larger trunk (DBH), or one specially designated by City Council, can't be removed or even pruned without written city approval.
Heritage tree. Any of the following: (1) A hardwood tree having a trunk of twenty-six (26) inches DBH or more; or (2) A hardwood tree or cluster or stand of hardwood trees designated by resolution of the City Council to be of historical value or of significant community benefit. ... it is unlawful to remove or prune a heritage tree without written approval of the Director of Development Services, or their designee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4973212; v14 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Cedar Park designates any hardwood tree with a trunk of 26 inches DBH or more, or one the City Council formally designates for historical or community value, as a heritage tree. Unlike ordinary protected trees, heritage trees can't be pruned or removed without written approval from the Director of Development Services: pruning more than 30 percent of the crown also needs sign-off. Removal, outside narrow storm-damage or utility exceptions, triggers replacement shade trees at a 3:1 caliper-inch ratio, or payment of $450 per caliper inch into the city's tree fund if on-site replanting isn't feasible.
Violations & Fines
Removing or over-pruning a heritage tree without approval carries a $1,000 civil penalty per tree plus replanting at double the normal mitigation ratio, § 12.12.022(d)(8)(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree a 'heritage tree' in Cedar Park?
Can I prune a heritage tree without a permit?
What's the penalty for removing a heritage tree without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Park
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Cedar Park to another location·View the Texas tree protection overview
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