Baltimore County, MD Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Section 33-6-111(b) sets a priority list of trees, shrubs, and areas that a forest conservation plan must leave undisturbed unless the applicant demonstrates to the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability that reasonable efforts have been made to protect them and the plan cannot reasonably be altered. Top of the list is vegetation in sensitive areas such as riverine floodplains, intermittent and perennial streams, forest buffers, steep slopes, nontidal wetlands, and critical habitat areas, followed by contiguous forest linking the largest undeveloped tracts on or near the site.

08. The same priority protects trees tied to history, meaning any tree that is part of a historic site, associated with a historic structure, or designated a national, state, or county champion tree by the State Department of Natural Resources. 5 feet above ground, or one measuring at least 75% of the diameter of the current state champion of that species. The requirement attaches to a regulated activity, meaning subdivision, development, grading, or logging on a tract of 40,000 square feet or more under Section 33-6-103, and runs through a forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan submitted under Sections 33-6-107 through 33-6-109 before a grading or building permit issues.