Littleton, CO Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected root zone
- 18 inches per inch of trunk DBH
- Exotic/invasive removal
- Exempt from tree-removal permit review
- Banned planting
- Chinese and Siberian elm
- American elm
- Excluded from the elm ban
- Also banned
- Cottonwood, Russian Olive, box elder
- Dead/removed protected tree
- Replace within 90 days, 3 trees
Summary
Littleton's tree code shields healthy native trees during construction with a fenced protected root zone, but removal of exotic, invasive, or prohibited tree species needs no permit at all. Planting several fast-spreading species is banned outright: Chinese and Siberian elms, cotton-bearing cottonwoods, Russian Olive, and box elders, though American elm stays allowed.
e. Removal of exotic, invasive, or prohibited tree species. ... ... 6. Tree Protection During Construction. Healthy native trees shall be protected according to the following requirements. a. Protected Root Zone. The protected root zone is the larger of: 1. The area under the dripline of the tree; or 2. A radius that extends from the center of the trunk 18 inches per one inch of diameter at breast height of the protected tree. ... ... 4. Prohibited Species. The planting of Chinese and Siberian Elms is prohibited. Such elms tend to be prone to disease, weak branches, suckering, and the uncontrollable spread of seeds. American elms are excluded from the prohibition. Cotton-bearing cottonwoods (female Populus species), Russian Olive, and box elders are prohibited due to the uncontrollable spread of seeds.
Full Breakdown
Under the Unified Land Use Code's tree protection and preservation rules, removal of exotic, invasive, or prohibited tree species is one of the listed exemptions from the standard tree-removal review that otherwise applies to Site Plans, Master Development Plans, Grading Permits, plats, and building permits. By contrast, healthy native trees on a site earn active protection during construction: the code sets a protected root zone equal to the larger of the tree's dripline or a radius of 18 inches for every inch of trunk diameter at breast height.
That root zone must be fenced with an "Off Limits" posting, and no mechanized equipment, cutting, filling, material storage, waste disposal, or impervious paving may occur inside it while construction is underway. On the planting side, the code separately bans installing Chinese and Siberian elms because they are prone to disease, weak branches, suckering, and uncontrolled seed spread, while explicitly excluding American elm from that ban. Cotton-bearing cottonwoods (female Populus species), Russian Olive, and box elders are likewise barred from new planting for the same uncontrolled-seed-spread reason.
A protected tree that dies or is removed must be replaced within 90 days with three new trees of similar species, each with combined caliper at least twice the diameter of the tree lost.
Violations & Fines
Damaging or removing a protected native tree's root zone during construction, or planting a banned species, is a code violation enforced under Chapter 11, Enforcement, Violations, and Remedies, which can mean a stop-work order and a required restoration plan. Because the tree provisions carry no dedicated fine, the general penalty in Code § 1-4-1 controls: up to $2,650 and up to 364 days in jail for an adult, with continuing violations counted as a separate offense each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Littleton protect every tree species equally?
Can I plant a Siberian elm in Littleton?
What trees besides elms are banned from planting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Littleton
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle protected tree species.