Sterling Heights, MI Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Blanket threshold
- 32 inches DBH, any species
- Oak threshold
- 16 inches DBH
- Maple/beech/pine threshold
- 18 inches DBH
- Lowest threshold
- 8 inches (chestnut, dogwood)
Summary
Sterling Heights protects 'landmark trees': any species 32 inches in diameter or larger, plus about two dozen listed species at smaller, species-specific thresholds like 16 inches for oaks.
LANDMARK TREE. A tree that is naturally prevalent in the city and surrounding areas and that stands apart from neighboring trees due to unique characteristics, such as size and species, and which should not be removed unless absolutely necessary. All trees, regardless of species or condition (unless dead or diseased) 32 inches d.b.h. and greater and trees included in the following table of the specified size or greater are considered landmark trees.
Common Name Species DBH American Basswood Tilia americana 24 American Beech Fagus grandifolia 18 American Chestnut Castanea dentate 8 Birch Betula spp. 18 Black Alder Alnus glutinosa 12 Black and White Walnut Juglans nigra, J cirnerea 20 Buckeye Aesculus glabra 18 Cedar, red Juniperus spp. 12 Crabapple (cultivar) Malus spp. 12 Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis 12 Flowering Dogwood Conus florida 8 Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba 18 Hickory Carya spp. 18 Horse Chestnut Aesculus carnea 18 Kentucky Coffeetree Bymnociadus dioicus 18 Larch/Tamarack Larix laricina (Eastern) 12 Locust Gleditsia triacanthos 24 London Planetree/Sycamore Plantanus spp. 18
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
The Tree Preservation Ordinance singles out large or notable trees for extra protection. Under § 51-37, any tree of any species (unless dead or diseased) at 32 inches diameter-at-breast-height or larger automatically qualifies as a landmark tree. A companion table in the same section lowers that bar for roughly two dozen common species: oaks qualify at 16 inches, and maples, beeches, pines, spruces and hickories qualify at 18 inches, while American chestnut and flowering dogwood qualify at just 8 inches. Landmark status triggers the ordinance's toughest removal and replacement rules.
Violations & Fines
Removing a landmark tree without following the ordinance's replacement rules exposes the responsible party to the § 51-48 civil penalty: the tree's full appraised value, computed under the ISA shade tree value formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree a 'landmark tree' in Sterling Heights?
Are all large trees protected the same way in Sterling Heights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sterling Heights
Compare Sterling Heights to another location·View the Michigan tree protection overview
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