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…
Mendocino County, CA: Mendocino County Cannabis Tree Removal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMendocino County bans clearing commercial timber species, true oaks, or Tan Oaks to build or expand a cannabis cultivation site under County Code Section 10A.17.040(K). The prohibition…
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…
Fishers, IN: Fishers Optional Natural Area Tree Protection
Few RestrictionsFishers has no mandatory tree or wildlife-habitat protection ordinance. City Code § 162.02 instead offers developers an optional incentive program: preserve specimen trees, critical…
Dothan, AL: Dothan's Protected Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Dothan, a protected tree is any pine 18 inches or greater DBH and any non-pine species 12 inches or greater DBH, unless it is on the code's non-protected list. Removing…
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'…
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
329 locations
California
Indiana
North Carolina
Washington
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).