Eden Prairie, MN Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Section 11.55, Subd. 2 builds the City's tree protection scheme around two defined classes based on species and diameter. A Heritage Tree is any living deciduous tree, except cottonwood, elm, willow, box elder and aspen, measuring 32 inches in diameter or greater, or a living coniferous tree measuring 24 inches or greater. A Significant Tree is any living deciduous tree, except elm, willow, box elder and aspen, at least 12 inches and less than 32 inches in diameter, or a coniferous tree at least 8 and less than 24 inches.

Because both definitions carve out elm, willow, box elder and aspen by name, those species never trigger the tree replacement or removal-consent obligations in Subd. 4, no matter how large they grow; cottonwood is excluded from Heritage Tree status specifically but can still qualify as a Significant Tree if it meets the smaller diameter band. Diameter is measured 4.5 feet above ground (Subd. 2, 'Diameter'). This species carve-out matters at the permit stage: the exemption calculations in Subd. 3.C.3 and the Tree Inventory required by Subd.

4.B only count Significant and Heritage Trees, so a homeowner removing a large excluded-species tree such as a boxelder or willow does not draw down their five-year removal allowance or trigger a replacement obligation, while removing an equivalent-sized oak, maple or other qualifying species does. The City Forester reviews the certified Tree Inventory to confirm species identification before any permit is issued.