Tree Preservation & ISA Certified Arborist Services in Maryland

Building near trees in Montgomery or Prince George’s County means working through county tree laws that sit on top of Maryland’s state rules. DMV Horticulture helps architects, engineers, builders, and homeowners find tree conflicts early, document existing trees, and protect them through construction, so permits are not held up by a tree issue discovered late.

Todd Krellner, an ISA Certified Arborist with more than 20 years in the industry, provides tree preservation planning and ISA Certified Arborist consulting across the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.

Montgomery County Tree Laws at a Glance

• Roadside Tree Protection Law. When work is likely to affect a tree in the County right-of-way, a roadside tree plan with protection or removal measures is submitted with the right-of-way, sediment control, or building permit. Trees in a State right-of-way also need a Roadside Tree permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and roadside tree work must be done by a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert.
• Tree Canopy Law. Applies to projects that need a County sediment control permit and can require new shade trees for the area disturbed.
• Forest Conservation Law (Chapter 22A). Administered by Montgomery Planning. Many development applications on tracts of 40,000 square feet or more need a forest stand delineation and a forest conservation plan.

Some municipalities, including Takoma Park, Rockville, and Gaithersburg, have their own tree rules as well. We will help you confirm which ones apply to your address.

Prince George’s County Tree Laws at a Glance

• Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance (Subtitle 25, Division 2). Sets woodland conservation requirements for development, documented on Tree Conservation Plans.
• Tree Canopy Coverage Ordinance (Subtitle 25, Division 3). Sets minimum tree canopy coverage for development projects, met through preserved woodland, existing trees, and new planting.

How We Help on Maryland Projects

• Tree inventories and condition assessments for permit files
• Arborist reports on root zone impacts, with practical design alternatives
• Tree protection details for roadside trees and on-site trees
• Coordination with your civil engineer, landscape architect, or forester on forest conservation and tree conservation plans
• Installation and monitoring of tree protection during construction
• stop-work order help when a tree issue stops work

Maryland Tree Preservation: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build near a street tree in Montgomery County?

Often, yes. If your project is likely to affect a tree in the County right-of-way, the County requires a roadside tree plan as part of the right-of-way, sediment control, or building permit, and permits are not issued until it is approved.

Who can do work on a roadside tree in Maryland?

Roadside tree care in Maryland must be performed by a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert, under a Roadside Tree permit from the Department of Natural Resources and with permission from the agency that owns the road.

When should I bring in an arborist?

Before site drawings are finalized. That is when moving a footprint, a utility line, or a limit of disturbance is still inexpensive, and when preserved trees can count toward canopy and conservation requirements.

Maryland Service Area

We work throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, Hyattsville, and College Park. We also serve Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.

Get In Touch Today

Call or text 443-934-0871, or email toddk@dmvhorticulture.com. Tell us the address and where the project stands, and we will tell you which tree requirements apply.

Or send your project details below and Todd will follow up.