Medford, OR Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Medford Code §§ 6.710, 6.725
- Permit issuer
- Parks and Recreation Director
- Permit cost/term
- Free, valid 90 days
- Replacement tree size
- Min. 1-3/4 inch caliper
- Stump removal depth
- 6 inches below grade
Summary
Medford requires a free written permit from the Parks and Recreation Director before anyone but a city employee plants, prunes or removes a tree in the parkway or other public right-of-way. Removed trees must be replaced with a City-listed species at least 1-3/4 inch caliper.
(1) No person other than a city department employee shall plant, prune, root prune, remove, cut above ground, or otherwise disturb any tree on public property without prior written permission of the Parks and Recreation Director. The person obtaining the permit shall abide by the adopted standards. (3) The permit is free and is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. (5) Any tree removed must be replaced. All replacement trees shall be a minimum of 1-3/4" caliper in size. All replacement trees must be chosen from a list of designated street trees provided by the city.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-32, passed May 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
710 directs the City Manager to adopt and file with the City Arborist standards governing the planting, maintenance and removal of trees on public and private property, covering acceptable species and cultivars, height clearances over streets and sidewalks, and clearances for sewers, storm drains, curbs, driveway aprons, fire hydrants, water meters and overhead utility lines. 605(6). 725(2) requires the application to include a site or plat drawing showing the number, location, grade, species and cultivar of trees to be planted or pruned, plus the reason and method.
725(3) makes the permit free and valid for 90 days. 725(5) requires any removed tree to be replaced with a minimum 1-3/4 inch caliper tree chosen from the City's designated street tree list. 730 separately makes abutting property owners responsible for trimming, pruning and spraying trees and landscaping in the right-of-way along non-arterial residential streets, and bars bark nuggets or chips in right-of-way planter strips.
Violations & Fines
Section 6.725(6) lets the Manager remove or maintain a tree planted or maintained contrary to the adopted standards and assess the cost to the abutting property owner or other responsible person, and the Manager may revoke any permit for a violation of Sections 6.700 to 6.750. Section 6.710(3) independently declares violation of any adopted planting or maintenance standard to be a code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to plant a tree in the Medford parkway strip?
Is Medford's street tree planting permit free?
What size replacement tree does Medford require after a removal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Medford
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