Top Rated Tree Services in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Yes. Under certain conditions.

The city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has several ordinances regulating tree removal and any other work on trees. As a result, there are protected trees that you have to obtain a permit before removing them. Before you remove any tree, you have to make sure that you have obtained a permit in case it is a protected tree.

Here are some of the trees requiring a permit for removal.

1. When removing a conifer or dicot tree with a diameter above of 3 inches or above, or monocot tree 8 feet or more in any other place other than one developed family residence lot.

Within a single-family residence lot, if;

1. The tree being removed is for redevelopment anticipation and is a conifer or dicot tree 3 inches or wider in diameter, or monocot of 8 feet or above, or has more wood.
2. No anticipation of development and the tree is either a conifer or dicot whose diameter is (8) inches and above or it measures four and one-half feet above its grade.
3. It is a palm in Roystonea, Cocos and Phoenix genus (except roebellini) measuring eight feet or has more wood.

 

If your tree is more than 10 feet taller, then you also need a permit.

Fill Fort Lauderdale tree permit application form where applicable to get a permit.

Are there, exemptions?

Yes, there are a few trees that do not need approval from the city for removal. They include the following.

1. Bishopwood
2. Melaleuca
3. Pencil tree
4. Schefflera
5. Australian Pine
6. Brazilian Pepper
7. Earleaf Acacia
8. Norfolk Island Pine
9. Poisonwood

The following are fees you should expect to pay when applying for either tree removal or landscaping permits in the city of Fort Lauderdale Broward County.

1. Landscape inspection and review – $90.00
2. Tree relocation/removal and inspection, the minimum fee (except single-family) – $170.00 Tree removal, per tree – $25.00
3. Landscape inspection and review of code compliance – $90.00
4. Landscape job check/reinspection – $45.00

Is it Illegal to remove a tree in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County without a permit?

Yes.

Any tree work is done without the necessary approval from the local administration where necessary is considered an offence.

The offence is punishable in several ways. One of them is through hefty fines. Another way is by replacement of trees removed and replacement of their value.

As a result, you have to make sure you have a permit to remove trees in case they are protected.

Do I have to replace a tree after removal in the city of Fort Lauderdale?

Under certain conditions, yes.

Once you have received a tree removal permit from the department in charge, they will determine whether there is a need for equivalent replacement of the tree removed or its value. However, certain trees do not require replacement. Below is a link to the list.

https://library.municode.com/fl/fort_lauderdale/codes/unified_land_development_code?=UNLADERE_CH47UNLADERE_ARTIIIDERE_S47-21LATRPRRE_S47-21.15TRPR

What about the removal of trees or dead trees causing a nuisance to the public?

Public nuisance- This is a tree, stump or dead tree in any land within Fort Lauderdale that endangers public health, welfare, safety or may cause the spread of infestation or disease to surrounding plants. It is prohibited.

The department shall provide the owner of the land where the nuisance has been identified with a notice.

The notice shall give commands to the owner to ensure removal of the stump tree or dead tree within 30 days from the day of receiving the notice. In cases where the notice is not obeyed and nuisance removed, the city may either remove or have it removed and the owner of the land to bear the cost.

Trees growing along the streets and privately owned require permits for removal in cases where they are protected. However, if the tree belongs to the city department, it can be removed when seen appropriate by the city administration. This is in cases where it is causing a nuisance to the public, or there is a need for development in the area.

What if my tree is obstructing the streets?

The city of Fort Lauderdale has guidelines pertaining to the removal of trees or shrubs obstructing the city streets.

The city manager has the authority to either cause or remove any shrub or tree obstructing any sidewalk, street or grass plat that is within 25 feet of travel ways of streets in the city.

However, the city manager shall make a request to the owner of the said shrub or tree to remove the obstruction and give them a 10 day notice. In cases where the property owner does not comply within the timeline, the city shall remove the obstruction, and the property will bear the cost.

The average cost of tree removal in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is $530 per tree.

However, the range is between $480 and $700 per tree.

The cost is affected by two main factors which are the size of the tree and accessibility. A tall and huge tree will cost more than a small tree. Accessibility affects the ability and time spent on the tree removal company and their equipment to get to the tree. Make sure that you clear way for them before the work starts.

Other factors that can affect the cost of tree removal include;

• Location
• Type of company
• Time of the year
• Tree species

The green canopy is a program by the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to provide a green and beautiful city. The program works as a sustainable project that ensures a huge layer of branches, leaves and stems that cover the ground when viewed from above. The program works by encouraging and supporting the growing of trees in the city but in a controlled manner.

As a result, the city has several guidelines that enable the program to work. These are programs that teach on how to plant trees, urban forests, provide forestry services, give trees, help in the selection of trees as well as planting and care guidelines, among others. They include;

• Urban forest
• Urban forestry services
• Trees give-aways
• Selection of trees
• Planting trees and care
• Integrated pest management

Tree trimming is considered a crucial exercise by both the county of Broward and the city of Fort Lauderdale. As a result, the city authorities provide guidelines on the trimming of trees.

According to the city government guidelines;

1. Pruning of trees close to power lines should be done by FPL or contractors authorized by FPL only.
2. Safety measures should be adhered to when pruning.
3. In dangerous cases, the pruning work should be done by a licensed professional or trimmer.
4. Pruning is best suitable during winter or early spring.
5. One should hire professionals licensed by the Broward county.

No. A permit is not required to trim trees within the city of Fort Lauderdale and Broward council as a whole.

However, the trimming work should be done accord to the Trimming Ordinance.

Tree trimming Ordinance Broward County

 The county administration has provided guidelines on how trimming should be carried out. Although trimming work does not require a permit, one is required to adhere to the ordinance guidelines whenever doing the work.

The ordinance affects any business or individual that offers, advertises or performs trimming of trees within Broward county. It also applies to any government agency trimming trees.

Each site for tree trimming should have at least one licensed trimmer who should also be directly supervising any other unlicensed employees on site. The details of the licensed trimmer or business, such as name, phone and licenses numbers should be displayed on their vehicle for business permanently.

There are two types of trimmer licenses issued by Broward County government.

The cost of trimming trees is affected by several factors that you have to know about. However, the average cost of trimming trees in Fort Lauderdale stands at $450 per tree.

With the range being between $371 and $553, the following factors will affect the cost.

• The size of the tree
• Type of tree/species
• Level of trimming required.
• Location of the tree
• Access to the tree
• Tree trimming company

You can reduce the over cost of trimming by ensuring there is good access to your trees for the tree service company.

Cost of stump removal Fort Lauderdale

Certain factors can also influence the cost of removing a stump. They include;

• The location of the stump
• Access
• Size of the stump

Majority of companies charge in terms of a linear inch or stump diameter. The average cost is $3.80 per linear inch.

However, the cost range is from $3.50 to $4.00.

What is the cost of Lot/Land clearing in Fort Lauderdale?

Lot/land clearing is accompanied by many factors that can affect the cost. They include;

• Number of trees on the land
• Land topography
• Expected work e,g. levelling,
• Shrubs or rocks
• Location of the land.

The average cost of lot/land clearing in Fort Lauderdale is $2, 054 per acre. The price can, however, range between $1,350 to $2, 815 per acre depending on the above-discussed factors.