Certain Sonoma County trees are getting further protection. The County’s Board of Supervisors have extended a temporary moratorium on removing protected trees for another four months. The original moratorium began on December 12th of last year as Permit Sonoma continues work updating the Tree Protection Ordinance. The moratorium now lasts until May 31. It prohibits the removal of 31 species of protected trees 6 inches in diameter or greater at breast height, with limited exceptions. Trees can be removed to avoid immediate danger, to maintain evacuation routes and for fire safety activities like maintaining defensible space. The original Tree Protection Ordinance, adopted in 1989, is being updated to increase climate resiliency by preserving the county’s tree and forest resources.
