St. George, UT Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Responsible body
- Shade tree and beautification board
- Protection mechanism
- Seek Heritage Trees Act designation
- State law referenced
- Utah Code § 63-11-57 et seq.
- Historic ordinance cross-ref
- Title 10-13E covers buildings, not trees
- Related chapter penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, § 7-4-13
Summary
St. George's shade tree and beautification board is directed to encourage protection of rare, endangered, or historically significant trees citywide by pursuing Heritage Trees Act designation, rather than by direct species-specific regulation.
Encourage the protection of trees in the city area which are rare, endangered or of historical significance by seeking such designation under the Heritage Trees Act, Utah Code Annotated section 63-11-57 et seq., as amended, or the historical preservation ordinance, title 10, chapter 13, article E of this code.
6. Meet biannually, and as needed, to perform its duties. Hold biannual public meetings at which trees, landscaping and related subjects may be discussed by members of the shade tree and beautification board, officers and personnel of the city, and all others interested in the city tree programs; and keep official minutes of all such meetings.
7. Have the authority to receive gifts or bequests from any person or any source, on behalf of and with the consent of the city council, for building and maintaining a civic arboretum, or for other programs sponsored by the shade tree and beautification board. Such gifts or bequests shall be received by the city treasurer and shall be earmarked for the purposes set out above.
8. Assist the city forester in his various duties, as outlined in section 7-4-3 of this chapter; review, endorse, or modify rules, regulations and specifications developed by the city forester, together with rules for the regulation of shade trees and other matters related to the administration of this chapter.
9. Make recommendations to the city manager regarding budget needs.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
St. George City Code section 7-4-2(B)(5) charges the five-member shade tree and beautification board with encouraging protection of trees in the city area that are rare, endangered, or of historical significance, by seeking designation under Utah's Heritage Trees Act (Utah Code Annotated section 63-11-57 et seq.) or under the city's historical preservation ordinance (title 10, chapter 13, article E, which addresses landmark buildings, not trees). The code creates no separate protected-species tree permit, list, or removal ban; the board's role here is advisory, alongside its broader duties under the same section to recommend tree-related ordinance changes to the city council.
Violations & Fines
No penalty attaches to this advisory board duty itself. Unauthorized removal or abuse of a street, park, or heritage tree elsewhere in chapter 4 is a Class B misdemeanor under section 7-4-13, with restitution for the tree's value under ISA guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. George maintain a list of legally protected tree species?
Can a heritage tree removal be prosecuted in St. George?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
Compare St. George to another location·View the Utah tree protection overview
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