Greensboro, NC Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- LDO Article 12, § 30-12-1
- Specimen tree size threshold
- 24" DBH hardwood/softwood, 10" understory
- Conservation priority rank
- 3rd of 5 priority categories
- Removal/damage penalty
- $500-$50,000 per violation
- Permit-lapse penalty
- $500 flat per incident
- Protective fence height
- At least 4 feet, orange polyethylene
Summary
Greensboro's Land Development Ordinance protects large, noteworthy 'specimen trees' as the third-highest priority for on-site conservation during development. A specimen tree is defined by size, age, rarity or historical significance, with large hardwoods and softwoods at 24-inch DBH or more and understory trees at 10-inch DBH qualifying by default.
Specimen Tree: A single tree of a group of trees considered to be an important community asset due to its unique or noteworthy characteristics or values. A tree may be considered a specimen tree based on its size, age, rarity or special historical or ecological significance, as determined by the Planning Director. Examples include large hardwoods (e.g., oaks, poplars, and maples) and softwoods (e.g., pines, hemlocks, and cedars) in good or better condition with a DBH of 24 inches or greater and smaller understory trees (e.g., dogwoods, redbuds, sourwoods, and persimmons) in good or better condition with a DBH of 10 inches or greater. ... Third Priority for Conservation: Existing specimen trees (as determined by the Planning Director).
Full Breakdown
Under LDO Article 12, any tree with a diameter at breast height of 4 inches or more that meets the ordinance's specimen tree standard gets priority consideration when a developer designates the required Tree Conservation Area (TCA) on a project site. 5(E) ranks conservation priorities: stream-buffer hardwoods rank first, upland hardwood stands second, existing specimen trees (as determined by the Planning Director) third, hardwood-pine mixes fourth, and pine stands fifth. The Planning Director makes the specimen-tree determination case by case, weighing size, age, rarity, and historical or ecological value, per the definition in LDO § 30-15-18.
4(B). 3 is required before cutting or root-zone damage on any qualifying tree, and the accompanying tree conservation plan must identify the boundaries of the TCA and the protected trees within it, including size and type. 3, as is property inside the Central Business district.
Violations & Fines
The Planning Director issues a Notice of Violation for procedural lapses that do not damage a tree, capped at a $5,000 civil penalty under LDO § 30-5-5.5(A). Actual removal or damage to a protected specimen tree draws a civil penalty of $500 to $50,000 per violation under § 30-5-5.5(B), scaled by trunk diameter on Table 5-1 (from $800 for a 4-11.9 inch tree up to $4,000 for one over 36 inches) or $10,000 per acre disturbed under Table 5-2, plus mandatory reforestation at rates the Planning Director sets. Failing to get a tree disturbance permit or a scheduled inspection carries a flat $500 penalty per incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree a protected 'specimen tree' in Greensboro?
Does a specimen tree automatically block development?
What happens if a contractor damages a protected specimen tree during construction?
Are single-family homeowners subject to Greensboro's specimen tree rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greensboro
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