Inglewood, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Section 12-113(D) of the Inglewood Municipal Code lists thirteen species that trigger protection at a four-inch trunk diameter, measured 54 inches above ground level: Big Leaf Maple, California Buckeye, Madrone, Western Dogwood, California Sycamore, Coast Live Oak, Canyon Live Oak, Blue Oak, Oregon White Oak, California Black Oak, Valley Oak, Interior Live Oak and California Bay. Every other tree on a covered property must instead reach an eight-inch trunk diameter under Section 12-113(A) before the ordinance applies, so the listed species are singled out for earlier protection because of their ecological and neighborhood-character value cited in the Article's purpose findings at Section 12-110.

A replacement tree of any size planted to replace a protected tree is itself automatically protected under Section 12-113(E). Trees on a developed single-family lot that cannot be further subdivided are exempt from the species list unless they were required or protected as a condition of a prior development approval. Once a listed species crosses the four-inch threshold, the same permit machinery applies as for any other protected tree: a Tree Removal and Cutting Permit from the Parks, Recreation and Library Services Department is required under Section 12-116 before cutting branches over one inch, relocating, reshaping or removing the tree, and any removed or disfigured specimen must be replaced with a like-kind, like-size tree or its appraised equivalent using the International Society of Arboriculture's Guide for Plant Appraisal.