Urban Forestry

Customer Service Survey

For unincorporated Pinellas County residents and business locations only, but also includes County numbered roads through incorporated municipalities.

 

Pinellas County’s urban forest is a healthy and sustainable mix of trees, vegetation, and other components that comprise a contiguous and thriving ecosystem valued, protected, and cared for by the County and all of its citizens as an essential environmental, economic, and community asset.

 

Pinellas County Urban Forestry staff work collaboratively with multiple departments and programs within the County and organizations in the community. Program responsibilities include the tree maintenance, inspections, development review and appraisal of damaged public trees, urban ecosystem planning, public education and outreach and tree-related emergencies. This includes pruning trees for the overall health and structure of the tree, while maintaining height and sight requirements as governed by FDOT and County standards.

 

• The FDOT guideline is a minimum of 14.5 feet over road and 10 feet over sidewalks. However, we elevate entire tree canopy to a minimum of 16 feet when appropriate; thereby reducing return visits from response crews. Setting our standard higher provides adequate clearance for a 7 year cycle. This elevated height also provides more clearance over sidewalks. Trees with a higher growth rate should be trimmed slightly higher.

 

All services are preformed within unincorporated Pinellas County right-of-way. This includes:

 

• work in subdivisions
• on collector roads and arterial corridors
• ditches
• County properties, including parks
• County numbered roads through incorporated municipalities

 

When working in subdivisions, as much notice as possible is given to residents to let them know when the trees will be trimmed. If this publication appears on your door, it will have information on dates when work is scheduled.

 

• For information or questions call (727) 464-8900 or email us.

 

For tree removal projects on private property, please see Pinellas County Tree Removal / Protection Permits.

 

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Resources:

• Tips for Hiring a Professional:
  Around our homes or along the streets, trees are one of our most valuable assets. They are also a long-term investment. Like any investment, trees require careful decisions and the occasional advice and service of a professional. In the tree world, arborists are the professionals that can safeguard your trees and save you from the long-term consequences of neglect or improper care.
  
  
  • Solicit bids from at least three qualified tree care providers. Require a written job proposal and estimate. The lowest bid is not always the best.
  • Consider hiring an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist. An ISA certified arborist is a professional that has demonstrated a minimum level of knowledge. ISA arborists also stay current on new research through continuing education. You can find an ISA certified arborist by calling 1-888-ISA-TREE (1-888-472-8733) or visiting the ISA website.
  • Ensure that the contractor is bonded and insured.
  • Specify no climbing spurs to be used while climbing trees that are to be preserved.
  • Specify NO TOPPING. Topping is not an acceptable tree care practice. Topping will cripple the tree's ability to produce food, which will send the tree into stress-induced shock. The tree will respond by vigorously producing suckers and watersprouts. Not only will the tree now be bushy and ugly, but also the new branches will be very weakly attached and potentially hazardous in the future. Never hire anyone that suggests topping your tree. A good arborist can reduce the size of the tree's crown using approved pruning cuts without topping.
  • Ask to see a copy of the appropriate American National Standards Institute pruning standards to which the arborist will adhere. ANSI A300 standards are the accepted national guidelines for professional tree care.
  • Ask for references.
  • Ask questions: What qualifications do you have as an arborist? Do you know the County’s requirements concerning proper pruning, tree removals, planting, root pruning and pesticide application?

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