Portland's Heritage Tree program under Title 11 grants permanent protection to specially designated trees and confers similar safeguards on large-stature trees and certain native species in environmental overlay zones.
The Heritage Tree designation, administered by the Urban Forestry Commission and confirmed by City Council, makes removal generally prohibited and any pruning subject to commission approval. Beyond formally designated heritage trees, large-diameter trees in environmental conservation and protection overlay zones receive heightened review under Title 33. Native conifers including Douglas fir, western red cedar, and Oregon white oak benefit from preferred replacement-credit ratios and special Title 11 development-review thresholds.
Removing or significantly damaging a Heritage or protected-overlay tree without authorization can produce penalties exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars per tree, mandatory restoration, and criminal misdemeanor exposure under Title 11.
See how Portland's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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