Los Angeles, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected oaks
- Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), California Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), other California indigenous oaks: excluding Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa)
- Other protected species
- Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica var. californica), Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), California Bay (Umbellularia californica)
- Minimum qualifying size
- 4 inches or more cumulative trunk diameter, measured 4.5 feet above the ground
- Not covered
- Licensed nursery stock; trees planted through a tree planting program
- Replacement when removal approved
- At least 2 protected-variety trees, 15-gallon minimum size, at least 7 feet tall
Summary
Los Angeles protects four categories of Southern California native tree species, oaks (Valley Oak and California Live Oak and other indigenous oaks), Southern California Black Walnut, Western Sycamore, and California Bay, when they measure four or more inches in cumulative trunk diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. No protected tree may be relocated or removed without City approval, and any act that causes the tree to die (including soil grading, toxic substances, or equipment operation near the root zone) qualifies as prohibited 'removal.'
Protected Tree – Any of the following Southern California native tree species, which measures four inches or more in cumulative diameter, four and one half feet above the ground level at the base of the tree:
(a) Oak tree including Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and California Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), or any other tree of the oak genus indigenous to California but excluding the Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa).
(b) Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica var. californica).
(c) Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa).
(d) California Bay (Umbellularia californica). This definition shall not include any tree grown or held for sale by a licensed nursery, or trees planted or grown as a part of a tree planting program.
R. Protected Tree Regulations. No protected tree may be relocated or removed except as provided in this Article or Article 6 (Preservation of Protected Trees) of Chapter 4 (Public Welfare) of this Code. The term "removed" or "removal" shall include any act that will cause a protected tree to die, including but not limited to acts that inflict damage upon the root system or other parts of the tree by fire, application of toxic substances, operation of equipment or machinery, or by changing the natural grade of land by excavation or filling the drip line area around the trunk.
Full Breakdown
The 'Protected Tree' definition under LAMC § 17.02 applies throughout Chapter I's zoning and subdivision regulations. Trees must meet the 4-inch minimum cumulative trunk diameter threshold at 4.5 feet above grade to qualify. Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa) is expressly excluded from the oak category. Nursery stock and trees planted under city or institutional tree-planting programs are not covered. The prohibition on removal extends to indirect harm: grading within the drip line, filling soil around the trunk, or applying toxic substances all constitute 'removal' if they cause tree death. The more general citywide protected tree ordinance is at Chapter 4, Article 6 of the LAMC.
Violations & Fines
Protected tree removal without Advisory Agency approval in a subdivision context violates LAMC § 17.05.R and can result in denial or revocation of subdivision map approval. Historical Monument trees must be retained at their existing location except when in danger of falling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of oak trees are protected in Los Angeles?
Is my pepper tree or magnolia protected?
Can damage short of cutting down a tree count as 'removal'?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Protected Tree Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle protected tree species.