Woodland, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Chapter 12.48 of the Woodland Municipal Code (Ord. No. 1698, 2022) protects four classes of tree: heritage oak (any valley oak, Quercus lobata, 33 inches or more DBH), established trees (12 inches or more DBH), and landmark and specimen trees the City Council designates on recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Group (Section 12.48.020). On developed residential lots, Section 12.48.100 makes it unlawful to remove, destroy, damage, mutilate, top, poison, or apply herbicide to a heritage oak anywhere on the property, or to a tree 24 inches DBH or greater within 20 feet of the back of walk, without first filing a Tree Modification Review Form with the Community Services Director and obtaining an encroachment permit if the work touches the right-of-way; the form must carry a removal bid from a business with an ISA-certified arborist on staff.

On commercial and undeveloped land, Section 12.48.110 bars the same acts against a heritage oak, landmark, specimen, or established tree outright, subject only to the preservation and replacement process the Community Development Director administers under Sections 12.48.130 through 12.48.170. Removals of any street or protected tree 24 inches DBH or greater also go to the Urban Forest Subcommittee for a recommendation before the Community Services Director or Parks and Recreation Commission decides, with a further appeal to the City Council. Excavating, filling, compacting, or paving inside a protected tree's drip line during construction likewise needs the Community Development Director's consent.

Violations are enforced under Section 12.48.240 as infractions, with the illegal removal of a heritage oak on private property drawing a $1,000 administrative fine per tree plus the cost of replacement, and each day the tree remains unreplaced counted as a separate offense.