Westland, MI Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Landmark tree replacement
- 1 in. DBH per 2 in. removed
- Health standard
- >50% ISA condition rating
- Removal exemption
- None: all landmark trees regulated
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 248, Oct. 21, 2024
Summary
Westland designates certain large, healthy trees as landmark trees that are fully regulated: every landmark tree removed must be replaced, with no percentage exemption.
(2) Landmark trees. All landmark trees are regulated, and if removed, replacement trees are required.
b. Tree replacement options. The tree replacement requirements herein are separate from and in addition to the landscape requirements set forth in this Article. Whenever tree replacement is required as provided in this section 11.11, the applicant may select from the following options:
(1) Protected tree replacement. For each six inches of total DBH inches of all protected trees removed in excess of the 20 percent of the total DBH inches pursuant to section 11.11.6.a, one tree (with a minimum of 2.5-inch caliper for deciduous or six feet in height for coniferous) shall be planted on the parcel.
EXAMPLE:
Protected trees = 1,000 DBH inches
Trees to be removed = 350 DBH inches
1,000 x 20% = 200 DBH inches of removal allowed without replacement
350 DBH - 200 DBH = 150 DBH inches of replacement required.
One replacement tree per six inches of DBH removal = 150/6 = 25 replacement trees required.
(2) Landmark tree replacement. For every two inches DBH of landmark trees removed, one inch DBH
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Section 11.11.3.c of the Westland Zoning Ordinance defines a 'landmark tree' as a healthy woody plant, with a health and condition rating above 50 percent under International Society of Arboriculture standards, that meets or exceeds the size (DBH) threshold set for its species in the ordinance's landmark-tree table. Unlike ordinary protected trees, which may be removed up to a 20 percent DBH threshold without replacement, landmark trees get no such allowance: section 11.11.6.a(2) regulates every landmark tree and requires replacement planting whenever one is removed, at a rate of one inch DBH of new tree for every two inches DBH removed. Adopted with the citywide zoning rewrite, Ord. No. 248, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Violations & Fines
Removing a landmark tree without planning commission or planning-director approval and a replacement plan violates Article 11.11 of the zoning ordinance and is enforced under article XXIX, which can include stop-work orders and required after-the-fact replacement planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a removal exemption for landmark trees, unlike ordinary trees?
How much replacement is required for a removed landmark tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westland
Compare Westland to another location·View the Michigan tree protection overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.