Williamson County, TN Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Heritage Registry
- None in county
- Protection Basis
- Canopy and development
- TCA-1 Large Trees
- 28-inch DBH preserved
- Removal
- Arborist or access only
- Cities
- Franklin/Brentwood programs
Summary
Williamson County keeps no heritage or landmark specimen-tree registry. Protection is canopy-based, but conservation subdivisions in the rural TCA-1 district must preserve large deciduous trees, 28-inch trunk diameter or greater, in permanent open space.
All healthy deciduous trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 28 inches or greater, along with the drip line of such trees, shall be preserved in permanently protected Open Space.
Full Breakdown
Unlike some cities, Williamson County does not designate individual heritage or landmark trees or run a resident-nomination program. Its protection works at the canopy and development scale. The clearest large-tree rule is in the TCA-1 (Triune) conservation-subdivision standards: healthy deciduous trees with a diameter at breast height of 28 inches or greater, together with their drip lines, must be preserved in permanently protected open space, and may be removed only if an arborist finds them unsound or removal is needed for site access. Franklin and Brentwood maintain their own tree-preservation programs for property inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected large tree in a conservation subdivision without qualifying grounds requires caliper replacement: two inches per inch removed for access, three inches per inch for other removals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Williamson County protect specific heritage trees?
Can a big protected tree ever be removed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Williamson County
Compare Williamson County to another location·View the Tennessee tree protection overview
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