Terrebonne Parish, LA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Parish Code § 2-544 protects publicly owned street trees and park trees during nearby construction. Subsection (a) requires all public trees to be protected during construction; subsection (b) requires street and park trees whose canopy falls within an excavation or construction zone to be guarded with a substantial fence, frame or box at least 4 feet high, set at a distance of 1 foot from the trunk for every inch of trunk diameter measured at breast height, and keeps building material, dirt or debris outside that guard.

Subsection (c) bars anyone from changing natural drainage, excavating ditches, tunnels or trenches, or laying a driveway within a 10-foot radius of any street or park tree without first obtaining a written permit from the department of planning and zoning. Subsection (d) bars depositing stone, brick, sand, concrete or other material on public property that would impede water, air or fertilizer reaching a public tree's roots, and requires a permit before sunlight to a public tree is permanently blocked. Subsection (e) allows a person subject to these requirements to request a waiver from the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, approved by majority vote of the tree board in writing.