Westchester County Tree Code Chapter 277 protects heritage trees on county property and rights-of-way, and many villages designate native species like white oak, sugar maple, and American elm for additional protection on private parcels above defined diameter thresholds.
Chapter 277 of the Westchester County Code regulates tree work in the county-controlled right-of-way and on county parkland, requiring permits for removal of any tree above defined DBH, often 8 to 12 inches. Heritage designation can apply to trees of unusual size, age, or species value. Municipalities including Bedford, Pound Ridge, and Scarsdale layer additional protected-species lists onto private property, requiring permits to remove specimen native trees. Invasive species like tree-of-heaven are not protected and may be removed without permits in most jurisdictions.
Removing a protected or heritage tree without a permit can carry fines from 250 to several thousand dollars per tree, plus replacement requirements. Repeat offenses or commercial-scale violations can trigger stop-work orders and arborist license review.
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See how Westchester County's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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