Cary committee discusses private-tree removals after resident complaint; takes no new action

On March 4, 2025, the Village of Cary Committee of the Whole discussed whether to adopt new regulations for the removal of trees on private property after a homeowner in the Trout Valley subdivision removed more than 30 trees and sought guidance from the village and the subdivision homeowners association.

Public Works Director Simmons told the committee the village regulates trees in two ways: through the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and through public‑works permits for trees on public property. The UDO’s landscaping and tree‑preservation requirements apply to new multifamily or nonresidential developments and to large building expansions, but do not generally apply to existing single‑family homes, Simmons said. He said homeowners may currently remove trees on single‑family lots without a village permit. “It’s private property stuff,” Simmons said.

The commit…