Mobile, AL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Heritage live oak tree: A live oak tree which is at least eighteen (18) inches DBH.

Heritage tree, existing: Any of the following list of trees which is at least eighteen (18) inches DBH: hickory (Carya spp.); longleaf pine (Pinus palustris); magnolia (Magnolia spp.); oak (Quercus spp.), excluding water oak (Quercus nigra); river birch (Betula nigra); sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua); sycamore (Platanus occidentalis); and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). In historic districts, heritage trees include the species previously noted, but have a minimum size of at least eight (8) inches DBH.

Heritage tree, credit or compliance: any tree planted or claimed for credit for compliance with the UDC or tree planting and landscaping requirements of the city.

Historic district: A geographic area designated by the city council as a historic district, including all historic districts existing as of the date of this chapter and future districts designated by the city council.

Land clearing: Those operations where trees and vegetation are removed and which occur previous to the construction of building; e.g., road right-of-way excavation or paving, lake and drainage system excavation, utility excavation, grubbing, and any other necessary clearing operations.