Protected Tree Species
Tree Protection
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
How Protected Tree Species Rules Differ by Place
Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Coast Live Oak Removal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBerkeley has banned removal of Coast Live Oak trees since 1996 under BMC Chapter 6.52: any single-stem oak 18 inches or more in circumference, or multi-stem oak totaling 26 inches or…
San Diego, CA: San Diego Torrey Pine Tree Protection
Heavy RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 63.07 makes it unlawful to cut, injure, or destroy any Torrey Pine tree (Pinus Torreyana) growing on city-owned Pueblo Lots 1332, 1337, 1338, or any other…
Ventura, CA: Ventura Ban on Removing Wildlife-Habitat Trees
Heavy RestrictionsRemoving or trimming a tree in a site identified as habitat for protected wildlife, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife-designated critical habitat and mapped monarch butterfly…
Mobile, AL: Mobile's Protected Heritage Tree Species
Some RestrictionsMobile names eight specific species, hickory, longleaf pine, magnolia, oak (excluding water oak), river birch, sweet gum, sycamore, and yellow poplar, as protected 'heritage trees'…
Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix Plant Salvage Permit for Tree Removal
Some RestrictionsPhoenix requires a plant salvage permit from Planning and Development before removing trees, plants, or cacti on development sites; single-family and duplex lots are exempt, but…
Anaheim, CA: Anaheim Specimen Tree Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsIn Anaheim's Santa Ana Canyon Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay Zone, a City permit is required before destroying a 'Specimen Tree,' defined as any oak 25 inches or more in trunk…
Protected Tree Species Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Cities & Counties with Protected Tree Species Rules
188 locations
Alabama
Arizona
California
North Carolina
Other Tree Protection Topics
Heritage & Protected Trees
Extra protections for old, large, or historically significant trees, including the penalties for removing them without approval.
Parkway Planting
Permits and rules for planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb, including approved species lists and Bureau of Street Services standards.
Urban Forest Equity
Citywide tree-canopy goals and equity-focused planting programs targeting historically under-canopied neighborhoods (Cool Streets LA, City Plants).