Gwinnett County, GA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Size threshold
- 28-in hardwood or 30-in softwood
- Extra qualifier
- Historical significance (optional criterion)
- Protection
- Critical Root Zone fencing required
- Removal
- Requires Director approval
- Unauthorized penalty
- 2x tree density units owed
Summary
Gwinnett County protects large or historically significant trees as 'specimen trees' -- 28-inch hardwoods, 30-inch softwoods, or trees of historical significance -- requiring preservation and permitted removal only.
Identification Criteria.1.Tree Size: Tree must meet size criteria in number 1. and in number 2. below tree must meet conditions a. through e. Conditions f. and g. are optional.a.Large Hardwood: 28-inch diameter or largerb.Large Softwood: 30-inch diameter or largerc.Small Native Flowering: 12-inch diameter or largeri.The list below indicates small native flowering specimen tree types:•Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud•Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood•Amelanchier arborea, Serviceberry•Oxydendrum arboretum, Sourwood2.Condition.a.A life expectancy of greater than 10 years.b.A sound and solid trunk with no extensive decay or hollow, and less than 20 percent radial trunk dieback.c.No more than one major and three minor dead limbs (hardwoods only).d.No major insect problem.e.No major pathological problem (fungus, virus etc.).f.Exceptional quality.g.Of historical significance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
The UDO identifies specimen trees by size and condition: large hardwoods at 28 inches in diameter or more, large softwoods at 30 inches or more, plus five required health conditions such as sound trunk structure and no major disease. Two optional criteria -- exceptional quality or historical significance -- can also qualify a tree. Once identified, specimen trees must be shown on Survey and Concept Plans, protected with Critical Root Zone fencing before any land disturbance, and cannot be removed without the Director's approval; unauthorized removal doubles the replacement tree density units owed.
Violations & Fines
Disturbing a specimen tree's Critical Root Zone beyond 30 percent, or removing one without Director approval, doubles the tree density unit replacement owed and can trigger a stop-work order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gwinnett have a separate heritage-tree registry?
Can a specimen tree be cut down for a new driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
Compare Gwinnett County to another location·View the Georgia tree protection overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.