Dallas, TX Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Under Sec. 51A-10.101(48), a 'protected tree' is any species with a minimum trunk diameter of eight inches that is not classified as unprotected, any tree in a stand that projects canopy over a building site as identified in a forest stand delineation review, or a tree planted as a required replacement tree. Removing or seriously injuring a protected tree, defined in Sec. 51A-10.101(49) to include cutting it down, excessive pruning or topping, compacting soil over its root system, damaging its trunk or roots, or paving over its root system, triggers the permit and mitigation rules in Division 51A-10.130.

The ordinance further splits protected trees into tiers that change how much replacement is owed. Sec. 51A-10.101(9)-(11) sorts every protected tree into Class 1 (located in a primary natural area or within 50 feet of the escarpment zone), Class 2 (the default category for anything not Class 1 or Class 3), and Class 3 (named lower-value species such as black willow, cottonwood, hackberry, honeylocust, mesquite, mimosa, mulberry, and Siberian elm, plus any small tree). On top of the class system, Sec. 51A-10.101(55) creates a 'significant tree' tier for post oaks at least 12 inches in diameter and for American elm, bois d'arc, cedar elm, chittamwood, common persimmon, eastern red cedar, green ash, other oaks, pecan, walnut species, and white ash at least 24 inches in diameter. A significant tree carries a 1.5-to-1 mitigation ratio under Sec. 51A-10.134(c)(1)(B), well above the 0.4-to-1 ratio for an ordinary Class 3 tree.