Montgomery County, MD Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Chapter 22A, Forest Conservation Law
- Protected categories
- champion, specimen, rare/threatened/endangered trees
- Override mechanism
- variance under Section 22A-21
- Mitigation ratio
- 1 caliper inch per 4 inches removed
- Enforcing agency
- Montgomery County Planning Department
Summary
Montgomery County flags champion, specimen, and state/federally listed rare trees as priority-retention resources under Chapter 22A: removing one without an approved tree save plan or a Section 22A-21 variance triggers Planning Department enforcement, even on land otherwise exempt from forest conservation review.
The following trees...are priority for retention and protection and must be left in an undisturbed condition unless the Planning Board or Planning Director...finds that the applicant qualifies for a variance under Section 22A-21: ...(B) Any tree that is...designated by the State or County as a national, State, or County champion tree; (C) Any tree with a diameter, measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, of: (i) 30 inches or more; or (ii) 75 percent or more of the diameter...of the current State champion tree of that species.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 22A, the county's Forest Conservation Law, defines 'champion tree' as the largest of its species in the county and 'specimen tree' as a particularly impressive or unusual example, and Section 22A-12(b)(3) puts both, plus federally or state-listed rare/threatened/endangered trees, on a mandatory priority-retention list that can only be overridden through a Section 22A-21 variance. Even activities otherwise exempt from full forest conservation review, building a house, a pool, a shed, still can't cut a champion tree without Planning Director approval (Section 22A-4(c)), and any specimen or champion tree impact anywhere requires an approved tree save plan under Section 22A-6(a), replanting one caliper inch for every four inches of trunk removed.
Violations & Fines
Cutting or threatening the viability of a champion tree without Planning Director confirmation, or clearing a specimen/champion tree without an approved tree save plan, violates Chapter 22A and triggers Planning Department enforcement remedies under Section 22A-6(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a champion tree from my own property?
What counts as a 'specimen tree' under county law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland tree protection overview
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