Porter County, IN Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Specimen tree threshold
- 24-inch DBH or larger
- Protection applies
- Inside designated conservation areas
- Fencing required
- Orange fencing at 2x dripline radius
- Extra remedy trigger
- 30%+ dripline disturbance
- Species list
- None; size-based only
Summary
Porter County's UDO protects trees by size, not species: any tree with a trunk diameter of twenty-four inches or greater is a 'Specimen Tree' entitled to construction fencing and root protection when it sits inside a designated tree conservation area. The code does not name individually protected species.
Tree, Specimen: Trees with a DBH of twenty-four (24) inches or greater. ... C. Specimen Tree: Prior to construction around a specimen tree in a tree conservation area, the following standards apply: 1. Install highly visible (orange) construction fencing around the tree a minimum of twice the radius of the dripline of the tree. 2. Avoid injuring roots when installing anchoring posts for fencing. 3. Signs should be posted clearly identifying the plant protection zone. 4. If a portion greater than thirty percent (30%) of the area within the drip line is unavoidably impacted, applicant shall install a root aeration system, tree well, retaining wall or raised boardwalk as appropriate permanent protection.
Full Breakdown
Porter County's Unified Development Ordinance, in force since June 15, 2007, defines a 'Tree, Specimen' in Chapter 12 as any tree 'with a DBH of twenty-four (24) inches or greater,' a size threshold rather than a list of protected tree species. Nothing in the UDO singles out particular species, such as oaks or hickories, for extra protection; the size cutoff alone determines whether a tree qualifies. 27 LA-06(C) sets out a specific construction protocol before any nearby building work begins: the contractor must 'install highly visible (orange) construction fencing around the tree a minimum of twice the radius of the dripline,' take care to avoid injuring roots when setting fence posts, and post signs identifying the protection zone.
27 LA-06(C)(4)). 27 LA-06(B), a specimen tree on a lot that never opted into that natural-area-protection credit is not automatically covered; the twenty-four-inch threshold only triggers fencing and root-protection duties once a conservation area has been designated around it.
Violations & Fines
Damaging or removing a designated specimen tree's protection zone without the required fencing, root protection, or an approved root-aeration remedy is a Unified Development Ordinance violation enforceable under Chapter 11, including the inch-for-inch replanting duty in §5.27 LA-06(B)(4). Court-imposed fines under §11.09 range from $50 to $2,500 per day of continued violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Porter County protect specific tree species?
What protection does a specimen tree get during construction?
Are specimen trees protected everywhere in the county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Porter County
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