FAQ About Tree Services

Living in Maryland provides us extraordinary access to the Chesapeake Bay, but it also means that tree maintenance and planning must be carefully considered.  Here are a few of the common questions we receive about Critical Areas of the Chesapeake Bay. 

The Critical Area includes all land within 1,000 feet of Maryland’s tidal waters and tidal wetlands. It also includes the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Coastal Bays, their tidal tributaries, and the lands underneath these tidal areas. Source:  Maryland DNR

In general, homeowners can obtain approval through the local planning office to remove one or more trees from their property as long as the trees are not located in the Buffer, and new trees are planted on the property. The Critical Area law requires no net loss of forest or developed woodland cover in the Critical Area. Replacement planting may be required at a higher ratio than one-to-one depending on the number of trees on your property and the size of the tree being removed. In general, trees that are located within the Buffer cannot be removed unless they are dead, dying, diseased, or creating a hazard to people or property. A Buffer Management Plan is required for all removal of vegetation within the Buffer except for mowing an existing lawn. 

Any development activity (human action that results in disturbance to land, natural vegetation, or a structure) on land that has frontage on a tidal waterway, a tidal wetland, or a stream, or any disturbance to the Buffer or expanded Buffer will require a Buffer Management Plan. The Buffer Management Plan must be submitted to and approved by the local government, usually the planning office. 

Removal of healthy trees and natural vegetation in the Buffer is not permitted solely for the purpose of creating a view. However, trees and shrubs can be pruned and limbed up to create openings that provide a view. The removal of invasive species and vines is permitted and can also improve a view. A Buffer Management Plan can be used for this purpose. Thoughtful design in selecting the type and location of plants in the Buffer, careful pruning of existing trees and shrubs, and a thorough approach to removing invasives and planting groundcovers can be used to enhance water views. The Green Book for the Buffer provides planting plans that maintain viewsheds and is an excellent resource for property owners in the Buffer.