Knoxville, TN Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

No living tree within the city designated on the State of Tennessee Champion Tree list or designated as a landmark, or historic tree by the State of Tennessee or designated organization, shall be removed or otherwise substantially altered by pruning, trimming, or otherwise cutting more than twenty (20) percent of the woody area of such tree without first obtaining a permit from the urban forester.(b)Permits as noted in subsection (a) of this section shall be issued only upon a satisfactory showing that the tree in question is a public safety concern or is not of such historical or botanical importance that the public interest would be served through the preservation of such trees such as invasive species or a tree in declining health.(c)If the urban forester fails to issue a permit as provided in this section within thirty (30) days of the application for the permit, such permit shall be considered to be denied. Any person denied such permit may appeal the denial directly to city council by filing a notice of such appeal with the city recorder within fifteen (15) days of the denial, and the appeal shall be placed upon council's agenda for consideration at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. The council shall consider the matter de novo and may uphold denial of the permit, order the permit to be issued, or order a permit under such terms and conditions as council deems appropriate considering the totality of the circumstances.