Carrollton, TX Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected threshold
- 4-inch DBH, listed species (§155.03)
- Species list categories
- large 40+ ft, medium 25-40 ft, small 15-25 ft (§155.11, Fig. 1)
- Removal permit required
- before cutting any protected tree (§155.07(A))
- Replacement ratio
- 100% of removed DBH in caliper inches (§155.08(B))
- Same-species cap
- max 34% when 12+ replacements required (§155.08(C))
- Maximum fine
- $500 per tree/incident (§155.99)
Summary
Carrollton protects any tree on its Approved Plant List that has grown to a four-inch trunk diameter, sorted into large, medium and small categories in Figure 1 of Section 155.11. Cutting one down without a permit under Section 155.07 triggers mandatory replacement and fines of up to $500 per tree.
Tree, protected. A tree as listed in the Approved Plant List, section 155.11, Figure 1, that has a diameter of four inches or greater measured at four and one-half foot above ground. For a multi-trunk tree, the diameter shall be the total diameter of the largest trunk plus one-half of the diameter(s) of each additional trunk. ... FIGURE 1: PROTECTED TREE LIST LARGE TREES (40+ FEET) Bigtooth Maple, Pecan, Ginkgo, Sweetgum, Southern Magnolia, Escarpment Live Oak, Bur Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Shumard Red Oak, Post Oak, Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Pond Cypress, American Elm, Cedar Elm. MEDIUM TREES (25-40 feet) Texas Ash, Eastern Red Cedar, Texas Oak, Lacey Oak, Blackjack Oak. SMALL TREES (15-25 feet) Forest Pansy Red Bud, Desert Willow, Crape Myrtle, Mexican Plum.
Full Breakdown
11, Figure 1, with a diameter of four inches or greater measured four and one-half feet above grade (for multi-trunk trees, the largest trunk's diameter plus half of each additional trunk's diameter). Figure 1 groups qualifying species by mature height: large trees over 40 feet include pecan, ginkgo, southern magnolia, bur oak, chinkapin oak, Shumard red oak, live oak, bald cypress and American elm; medium trees from 25 to 40 feet include Texas ash, eastern red cedar, Texas oak and Lacey oak; small trees from 15 to 25 feet include redbud varieties, desert willow, crape myrtle and Mexican plum.
06(B) before construction on a site containing protected trees. 08(B): a 4-to-12-inch DBH tree requires replacement caliper equal to 100 percent of the DBH removed at a 3-inch minimum, a 12-to-30-inch DBH tree requires the same ratio at a 4-inch minimum, and anything over 30-inch DBH requires a 6-inch minimum caliper equivalent to 100 percent. 08(E)(3). 05 exempts existing single-family, duplex and single-family-attached lots after final inspection, emergency or storm-damaged trees, diseased trees, utility-line trimming and nursery stock from these protections.
Violations & Fines
Section 155.12(B) makes each tree removed or transplanted without a permit a separate offense, and mitigation under Section 155.08 still applies even after a conviction. Section 155.99 sets the penalty at a fine not to exceed $500 for each incident, with every protected tree cut, damaged or removed in violation counted as its own incident subject to its own penalty. The City Manager or designee enforces the chapter under Section 155.12(A), and no culpable mental state need be proven under Section 155.12(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trees count as "protected" under Carrollton's ordinance?
Do I need a permit to remove a protected tree in Carrollton?
What do I have to plant to replace a removed protected tree?
What's the penalty for removing a protected tree without a permit?
Are any trees exempt from Carrollton's protection rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carrollton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Carrollton to another location·View the Texas tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle protected tree species.