Huntsville, AL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Large/medium trees
- 1½" caliper minimum (2–2.5" preferred)
- Small trees
- 5'–6' height minimum (6–8' preferred)
- Removal permit
- Free permit required for ROW trees ≥6" dbh
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $500 per tree
- Enforcing agency
- City Forester and Tree Commission
Summary
Any tree planted on Huntsville's public land or road right-of-way must meet city forester-approved specifications and minimum size standards: 1½-inch caliper for large and medium species, 5 to 6 feet in height for small trees.
(1)Planting procedures. The planting specifications approved by the city forester and the tree commission shall be used for all planting projects executed or coordinated by the city. These procedures are to be adapted for individual planting sites by the city forester. The procedures include proper watering, mulching, staking, guying, etc. Additional information, including a copy of the planting specifications, shall be available from the city forester upon request.(2)Minimum size of trees to be planted on city property. Mature tree size (A copy of the classification chart is available through the city forester.) Minimum size at planting
Large & medium 1½" caliper (2"—2.5" preferred) Small 5'—6' height (6'—8' preferred)
(3)Planting distance from above ground electrical utility lines, as measured horizontally from a line on the ground directly under the nearest charged conductor, generally. Mature tree size (A copy of the classification chart is available through the city forester.) Minimum lateral separation Large 20' Medium 15' Small no lateral separation required
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
The city forester and Tree Commission set the planting specifications used for every tree project the city executes or coordinates on public and easement-laden land, covering species selection, siting, watering, mulching, staking and guying. Minimum planting sizes are set by mature size class: large and medium-growing trees must go in at 1½-inch caliper (2 to 2.5 inches preferred), while small species need only 5 to 6 feet of height (6 to 8 feet preferred). Removing a right-of-way tree 6 inches or more in diameter requires a free removal permit from the city forester, and any tree the city plants for ornamentation can't be removed or damaged without one.
Violations & Fines
Damaging, removing or destroying a public or easement-laden tree without authorization is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 per tree or shrub plus court-ordered restitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the right-of-way in front of my Huntsville house?
What's the minimum size for a new street tree in Huntsville?
Do I need a permit to remove a street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntsville
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