Bowie, MD Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 21C-2 of the Beautification and Tree Preservation chapter defines street trees as trees, shrubs, and bushes on land lying between property lines on either side of streets, avenues, or rights-of-way within the City, or within landscape easements dedicated to the City to provide a location for street trees. Section 21C-7 sets the operative rule: street tree planting guidelines are as specified in the City of Bowie General Specifications and Standards for Storm Drain and Street Design and Construction, a separate engineering document the chapter incorporates by reference rather than repeating.

Section 21C-10 confirms that adjacent property owners are not barred from planting street trees themselves, provided their selection and location follow those § 21C-7 guidelines. The 12-member Beautification and Tree Preservation Committee, created under § 21C-3, also has a role: § 21C-4 directs it to recommend annually on street tree planting concepts and on criteria City staff should use for tree preservation when reviewing development projects, feeding recommendations to the Council rather than setting binding numeric standards in the chapter itself.