Columbia, SC Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

The ordinance protects four categories of trees rather than naming individual species: grand trees; trees identified to meet the minimum tree-density requirements of Sec. 3(h); trees used to satisfy any Sec. 5 feet above ground) that sits in a transitional buffer yard, street protective yard, or interior vehicular-area planting area, or that is identified for canopy retention credit under Sec. 4(d). Once a tree qualifies, a tree protection zone attaches automatically, sized to the largest of three measures: one foot of radius per inch of trunk diameter, one-half the tree's height, or six feet, whichever is greatest.

Inside that zone, cutting, destruction, removal, relocation, transplanting, pruning, or limbing is prohibited unless the Ordinance requires it; soil compaction is capped at ten percent of the zone's area except for pedestrian walkways; and utility work is restricted to cases with no alternative location, boring at least 25 inches deep, and hand excavation around roots. A tree inventory or survey documenting existing trees, plus a tree protection plan showing the protection methods to be used, must accompany the required landscaping plan. The landowner or tenant must then maintain protected trees and their protection zones under the applicable tree protection plan per Sec. 3(c)(11).