DC designates trees with a circumference of 100 inches or more as Heritage Trees under the Urban Forest Preservation Act. Heritage Trees have the highest level of protection and generally cannot be removed except when they pose an imminent safety hazard or are dead/dying.
Heritage Trees in DC are those with a circumference of 100 inches or more (approximately 32 inches in diameter) measured at 4.5 feet above ground. Under DC Code Section 8-651.02, Heritage Trees receive the strongest protections in DC's urban forest laws. Removal is only permitted when the tree is dead, diseased beyond recovery, or poses an imminent hazard to persons or property. Even with a permit, the property owner must pay enhanced fees into the DC Tree Fund and provide replacement plantings. Construction projects near Heritage Trees must submit tree protection plans showing how root zones and canopy will be preserved. Damage to Heritage Trees during construction can trigger heavy fines. DDOT maintains an inventory of known Heritage Trees.
Unauthorized removal of a Heritage Tree carries the highest fines under the Urban Forest Preservation Act, calculated at $100+ per inch of circumference. Damage during construction may require financial restitution and replacement plantings valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
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See how Washington's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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