Highland, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Section 16.64.040 applies to all heritage trees located on private property within the city of Highland. HMC § 16.06.080 defines a heritage tree as a live tree, shrub or plant meeting at least one test: a woody plant over 15 feet in height with a single trunk circumference of 24 inches or more measured four and one-half feet above ground; a multitrunk tree with a total circumference of 30 inches or more; a stand of trees each dependent on the others for survival; or any other tree the community development director or designee deems historically or culturally significant because of size, condition, location or aesthetic qualities. An historic landmark, for tree purposes, is a tree designated as such by city council action.

Landmark trees get the strictest protection. No one can alter, remove, relocate or destroy one without both a landmark alteration permit and a tree removal permit, and the historic preservation board reviews any removal request and forwards its recommendation to the community development director or other reviewing authority for action. Chapter 8.36, Heritage Trees, is marked "Repealed by Ord. 470" in the code.

Construction protection is detailed. Every tree to be saved must be enclosed by a construction barrier such as chainlink fence, or other means acceptable to the director, before any grading or building permit issues, and the barrier stays in place through all phases of construction unless the director consents in writing. No fill material goes within three feet from the outer trunk circumference, and fill within the dripline cannot exceed 18 inches in depth, a guideline a qualified tree expert can modify for individual species. No substantial soil compaction or construction by-products are allowed within the dripline. As a guideline, no root cutting occurs within a distance equal to three and one-half times the trunk diameter, and exposed roots that must be severed are cut with a clean hand saw and the cut surface treated with a clear polyurethane. Trees are removed no earlier than 45 calendar days before building permits issue.

Upkeep stays with the owner: maintenance of trees on a public parkway or private property is the owner's responsibility, except that trees in the public right-of-way that the city engineer determines to be a public safety hazard are abated by the city.