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The strictest tree rules we work under
Landscaping & tree care in Washington, DC
The District protects large trees more aggressively than anywhere else we work, and the thresholds are measured in inches of circumference.
DC's tree rules surprise people who have only dealt with Maryland counties. The District Department of Transportation's published tree regulations state that a permit is required to remove a tree between 44 and 99.9 inches in circumference, and that any tree greater than 100 inches in circumference is a Heritage Tree and cannot be removed. Circumference, not diameter — a tree can cross the threshold while still looking ordinary.
What that means in practice is that in DC the survey comes before the design. We measure first, establish what is protected, and build the plan around the trees that are staying. It is a slower start and a much better outcome than designing something that cannot legally be built.
What we do in Washington, DC
Local rules worth knowing
What governs work in Washington, DC.
Measure before you plan
DDOT's tree regulations page gives the thresholds as circumference in inches: a permit to remove between 44 and 99.9 inches, and no removal of anything over 100 inches, which the District treats as a Heritage Tree. DDOT's Urban Forestry Division is at 55 M Street SE, Suite 600, and takes enquiries on (202) 671-5133. Because the rules and the fees change, we confirm the current position with the Division on each DC job rather than relying on what was true last year.
Our Maryland licence is a Maryland licence
We hold Maryland Tree Expert License #1798, which is a Maryland Department of Natural Resources credential and is what Maryland law requires for roadside tree work there. We say that plainly rather than implying it carries across the District line. For DC work we confirm the District's own current permitting and registration requirements for the specific job.
Regulations change. These notes summarise published guidance from the agencies named and are a starting point, not legal advice — we confirm the current position for your specific property before any permit-affecting work begins.
Questions we get asked in Washington, DC
Straight answers.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Washington, DC?
Very possibly. DDOT's published tree regulations state that a permit is required to remove a tree between 44 and 99.9 inches in circumference, and that a tree over 100 inches in circumference is a Heritage Tree that cannot be removed. Measure the circumference before assuming anything, and confirm the current position with DDOT's Urban Forestry Division on (202) 671-5133.
What is the difference between circumference and diameter for DC tree rules?
Circumference is the distance all the way around the trunk; diameter is the distance across it. DC's thresholds are written in circumference, which is roughly three times the diameter — so a trunk about 14 inches across is already near the 44-inch circumference mark where a removal permit comes into play.
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