Alexandria, VA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Sec. 6-2-38 of the general code lets the city manager designate as a specimen tree any tree found to be of extraordinary value because of its age, size, species, condition or quality of uniqueness, regardless of whether it stands on public or private land. Once designated, the tree is protected: it may not be removed or destroyed except under the hazard/emergency exemption in Sec. 6-2-36 or with city council's approval following a public hearing. If the tree sits on private property, the manager cannot make the designation until the owner of record has received 21 days' written notice by mail and a chance to submit comments.

The manager must adopt, and can amend, written regulations implementing the section, which city council reviews and may disapprove; at minimum those regulations must set reasonable criteria for rating age, size, species, condition and uniqueness, procedures for weighing the public-safety benefit of designation against any diminution in the property's use or value, and a right of appeal to city council under Sec. 6-2-51. Sec. 6-2-39 lets the city arborist trigger an interim designation while a formal specimen (or historic) designation is pending: the interim status lasts up to 30 days, must be posted with a notice on or near the tree describing the removal and penalty consequences, and it is a separate offense to remove that posted notice without the city manager's authorization.