Greenburgh, NY Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Town Code § 260-2 defines a Tree of Significance both by unique or noteworthy characteristics (species, age, location, history, ecology, aesthetics, as the Approval Authority determines) and by hard size thresholds tied to canopy class. 5-foot radius for every inch of DBH, versus one foot per inch for an ordinary regulated tree, measured from the surface to a three-foot depth, and at least 75% of that zone must stay undisturbed by construction or grading. A Tree of Significance also qualifies as a "Designated Tree" under § 260-2, so its removal is regulated under § 260-4A(4) and requires a tree removal permit like any other regulated tree, reviewed by whichever Board has jurisdiction over the related application or by the Forestry Officer.

If the Approval Authority allows removal, the property owner must replant according to the standards in § 260-8, drawing from the Town's Official Replacement Planting List with at least 50% native species, and the value of the loss is calculated using the iTree or National Tree Benefit Calculator methodology. Because the elevated root-zone protection applies even when no removal is proposed, construction, grading or paving near a Tree of Significance on an adjoining project can trigger compliance obligations before any cutting is ever requested.