Roadside Tree Protection Program

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Montgomery County’s Roadside Tree Protection program began March 1, 2014. The program was established in response to construction related removal of, or damage to, roadside trees. The Roadside Tree Protection Program protects and conserves trees growing in public rights-of-ways and reduces tree damage from land disturbances and construction related activities that occur on private lots adjacent to public roadways. The program requires roadside tree protection plans in connection with construction or development related permits. The Department of Permitting Services reviews these plans to evaluate whether alternatives are available to minimize and/or mitigate potential harm to roadside trees, assess long term impacts from construction activities and/or to require replacement of trees that cannot survive in the long term. Roadside trees provide important benefits such as reducing heat impacts, creating a more pedestrian friendly, walkable community, protecting the quality of local and regional air and water resources and contributing to property values.