Allowable Tree Removal
Calculating Diameter Breast Height
Diameter Breast Height (DBH)
DBH is the standard used to measure the size of a tree and is 54 inches above ground.
How to Get Started
- Measure 54 inches (4.5 feet) above the ground and mark your tree at that spot.
- Select the option below that best describes your tree at the 54-inch mark for directions on how to proceed.
At 54 inches above the ground, my tree: *
- Has one trunk
- Splits off into several branches/sections
How to Measure your Tree:
- Use a soft measuring tape. Wrap it around each branch at 54 inches (4.5 feet) to find the circumference of each one.
- Write down the circumference for each branch so you can use it for the below calculations.
- For each branch, enter the circumference into Calculator 1 below to find the DBH of the branch.
- Write down the DBH for each branch so you can enter them into Calculator 2.
- Enter the DBH of each branch into Calculator 2 below to find the equivalent DBH of the tree.
Allowable Tree Removal
Sammamish Municipal Code 21A.37.240 provides the following removal standards for significant trees. Guidelines on removal standards may be found here in the Sammamish Unified Development Code.
|
|
Annual Number |
Cumulative Number Over |
|
|
Less than 1/4 acre |
50% |
2 |
6 |
|
1/4 - 1/2 acre |
40% |
4 |
12 |
|
1/2 - 1 acre |
30% |
6 |
18 |
|
1-2 acres |
20% |
8 |
24 |
|
More than 2 acres |
10% |
10 |
30 |
|
* The number of significant trees allowed for removal is limited to whichever of these columns is lowest |
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