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Washington, DC Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Protected threshold
55-inch trunk circumference
Applies to
public and private land
Minimum fine
$100 per inch, unpermitted removal
Fee-based permit route
$35 per inch into Tree Fund

Summary

In Washington, D.C., any tree with a trunk circumference of 55 inches or more is a protected 'Special Tree,' and topping, cutting down, or removing one without a Mayor-issued permit is unlawful citywide.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or nongovernmental entity, without a Special Tree removal permit issued by the Mayor, to top, cut down, remove, girdle, break, or destroy any Special Tree.

Source: D.C. Code § 8-651.04aView official code

Full Breakdown

The District's Urban Forest Preservation Program designates any tree with a 55-inch-or-greater circumference, measured 4.5 feet up the trunk, as a Special Tree. D.C.'s functional heritage-tree category, covering trees on private as well as public land. D.C. Code § 8-651.04 makes it unlawful to top, cut down, remove, girdle, break, or destroy a Special Tree without a Special Tree removal permit from the Mayor. The Urban Forestry Division issues a permit only if the tree is hazardous, belongs to a species pre-approved by regulation for removal, or the applicant pays into the Tree Fund at $35 per inch of circumference. Utility companies get a narrow exemption for construction, line maintenance, and emergency work in the public right-of-way.

Violations & Fines

Topping, cutting down, removing, girdling, breaking, or destroying a Special Tree without a permit, or breaching permit conditions, is a violation carrying a fine of at least $100 per inch of the tree's circumference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Special Tree rule cover trees on private property?
Yes. D.C. Code § 8-651.04 bars 'any person or nongovernmental entity' from removing a Special Tree without a permit, with no public/private land distinction.
Can a homeowner ever remove a protected Special Tree?
Yes, with a Mayor-issued permit: granted for a hazardous tree, a species pre-approved for removal, or by paying $35 per inch of circumference into the Tree Fund.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsUrban Forest EquityLight RestrictionsProtected Tree SpeciesSignificant RestrictionsCurfew Laws: Juvenile CurfewHeavy RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Heat Island MitigationSome RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)Some RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Shoreline ManagementSome RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Coastal DevelopmentSome Restrictions

All Washington rules

Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia tree protection overview

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