Manzano Springs CDP (part), Bernalillo County, New Mexico Tree Protection: Tree Replacement Requirements Rules (2026)

Under ROA §6-6-5, any street tree removed with permission from the City Forester must be replaced at minimum 1:1 with a tree from the Approved Street Tree List, which emphasizes drought-tolerant species suitable for the high desert climate — Chinese pistache, desert willow, New Mexico olive, honey locust, and others. Replacement trees must be at minimum 2-inch caliper and 10 ft tall at planting. New commercial and subdivision development falls under the IDO §14-16-5 landscape requirements, which mandate one tree per 30 linear feet of street frontage and a minimum canopy coverage of 20% in parking lots within 15 years. Failed plantings must be replaced within the 2-year establishment period. Residential private-property removals generally do not trigger replacement. The ABQ Water Utility rebates xeric trees and native plantings through the annual xeriscape program.