Walk through Arlington Park neighborhood and notice lots of huge old live oak trees. Alta Vista neighborhood, not so much... We can change that! Do your part, if you can!
For information and to view Sarasota's tree ordinance, see City Tree Protection website.
Loss of Big TREES: DON'T SAY "TREE" rule. Perhaps you are aware that developers or property owners often need only to get a letter from an arborist, sometimes a remote professional who has never even seen the trees in question, stating "those trees are ill & in decline" in order to meet conditions for removal of trees, especially grand trees. I believe this falls under a recent State law. Many recent local building project applications feature in-depth assessments by certified local arborists supporting their intent to remove existing trees.
Recently 3 grand oaks were removed on Sarasota High School property to make way for other structures. Its an ongoing problem throughout our neighborhood. In recent years a push by Arlington Park residents to "Save Pink Floyd," a huge old grand oak slated for destruction on a private parcel, was successful! Lesson learned: PUSH BACK !
Loss of Big TREES: DON'T SAY "TREE" rule. Perhaps you are aware that developers or property owners often need only to get a letter from an arborist, sometimes a remote professional who has never even seen the trees in question, stating "those trees are ill & in decline" in order to meet conditions for removal of trees, especially grand trees. I believe this falls under a recent State law. Many recent local building project applications feature in-depth assessments by certified local arborists supporting their intent to remove existing trees.
Recently 3 grand oaks were removed on Sarasota High School property to make way for other structures. Its an ongoing problem throughout our neighborhood. In recent years a push by Arlington Park residents to "Save Pink Floyd," a huge old grand oak slated for destruction on a private parcel, was successful! Lesson learned: PUSH BACK !
Several programs to enhance Tree Canopy in City
Mature Tree incentive program: Spring 2024 deadline is past, but there will be another chance in Fall 2024). Apparently the 2023 pilot program proved successful! Now called Neighborhood Canopy Program, this initiative encourages residents to plant and maintain large canopy trees. The City’s Tree Mitigation Fund pays up to $500 toward an approved canopy tree when the required $100 deposit is received. Reservations are now (Feb 3) being taken for plantings in Spring 2024 Interested in participating? Click this link Neighborhood Canopy Program for details. Then call Mast Landscape Management at 941-480-6387 or email the City at [email protected].
July 2023, Phase 3: Mature Tree Canopy pilot program
The City has run several annual rounds of a Mature Tree Pilot Program incentive program See detailed guidelines. You purchase, have professionally installed, and maintain a tree, the City subsidizes. First-come, first-serve, 25 slots. In Fall 2023, Phase 4 will be announced and an additional 75 mature trees will be funded.
"To continue to grow the urban canopy, the City of Sarasota is supporting a community-driven pilot program offering an incentive up to $500 for residents who plant and maintain a mature tree within program guidelines. Residents will own the tree and are required to invest $100. ...Homeowners will purchase the tree and will be required to water, prune and maintain it. The program focuses on planting mature canopy and understory trees with a minimum 2-inch caliper. Planting is limited to the right of way or within ten feet of the right of way." Participants can select from: live oak, silver buttonwood, mahogany, red maple, gumbo limbo.
The City has run several annual rounds of a Mature Tree Pilot Program incentive program See detailed guidelines. You purchase, have professionally installed, and maintain a tree, the City subsidizes. First-come, first-serve, 25 slots. In Fall 2023, Phase 4 will be announced and an additional 75 mature trees will be funded.
"To continue to grow the urban canopy, the City of Sarasota is supporting a community-driven pilot program offering an incentive up to $500 for residents who plant and maintain a mature tree within program guidelines. Residents will own the tree and are required to invest $100. ...Homeowners will purchase the tree and will be required to water, prune and maintain it. The program focuses on planting mature canopy and understory trees with a minimum 2-inch caliper. Planting is limited to the right of way or within ten feet of the right of way." Participants can select from: live oak, silver buttonwood, mahogany, red maple, gumbo limbo.
Tree Mitigation Request List
Another way to get a tree is to get on the tree mitigation request list. This is a program where, if a developer is obligated to plant new trees to make amends for removing existing trees, and there is not a good location on the development site, trees can be planted elsewhere in the City... perhaps in your front yard or right-of-way! See City Tree Protection web page for details and how to get yourself on the request list.
Another way to get a tree is to get on the tree mitigation request list. This is a program where, if a developer is obligated to plant new trees to make amends for removing existing trees, and there is not a good location on the development site, trees can be planted elsewhere in the City... perhaps in your front yard or right-of-way! See City Tree Protection web page for details and how to get yourself on the request list.
May 2022 News: Tree Inventory
Approximately 11,000 trees located on City property in parks, and right-of-ways including medians and hurricane evacuation routes are now being inventoried. Crews with ArborPro, the contractor for the City, are conducting the inventory including the species, condition, height, diameter and maintenance needs.
This is the first phase of a $55,000, 3-year grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
In the second and third years, an Urban Forestry Master Plan will be developed, which will include identifying dangerous trees that need to be removed, assessing canopy goals and planting over 100 native trees.
We value trees in our community and greatly appreciate their many benefits from cleaning stormwater, to purifying the air, increasing property values and even reducing stress. For questions about the tree inventory, please reach out to Donald Ullam, Senior Arborist: 941-263-6530.
Approximately 11,000 trees located on City property in parks, and right-of-ways including medians and hurricane evacuation routes are now being inventoried. Crews with ArborPro, the contractor for the City, are conducting the inventory including the species, condition, height, diameter and maintenance needs.
This is the first phase of a $55,000, 3-year grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
In the second and third years, an Urban Forestry Master Plan will be developed, which will include identifying dangerous trees that need to be removed, assessing canopy goals and planting over 100 native trees.
We value trees in our community and greatly appreciate their many benefits from cleaning stormwater, to purifying the air, increasing property values and even reducing stress. For questions about the tree inventory, please reach out to Donald Ullam, Senior Arborist: 941-263-6530.
Annual Community Canopy program, Arbor Day Foundation and City of Sarasota
The Arbor Day Foundation, in conjunction with the City, has provided an annual "free trees for residents" event each October. Details: Herald Tribune Article 10/6/2020:
"The city of Sarasota’s free tree giveaway program, Community Canopy, has returned, with contactless registration and delivery, allowing residents in the city limits to safely receive a free tree during the coronavirus pandemic while helping to expand the urban canopy and reducing energy bills. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, the city will provide 250 trees to residents at no cost.
City residents can reserve their free trees at ArborDay.org/Sarasota. On the website, residents can use a calculator tool to estimate the annual energy savings from planting a tree in the most strategic location on their property. Participants are expected to care for the tree and plant it in the location specified by the online tool. Four species of native trees sourced from Florida will be offered: red maple, bald cypress, live oak and sweet bay magnolia. One tree per household can be reserved during the giveaway. Each tree will be delivered to Sarasota residents in a one-gallon container..."
"The city of Sarasota’s free tree giveaway program, Community Canopy, has returned, with contactless registration and delivery, allowing residents in the city limits to safely receive a free tree during the coronavirus pandemic while helping to expand the urban canopy and reducing energy bills. In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, the city will provide 250 trees to residents at no cost.
City residents can reserve their free trees at ArborDay.org/Sarasota. On the website, residents can use a calculator tool to estimate the annual energy savings from planting a tree in the most strategic location on their property. Participants are expected to care for the tree and plant it in the location specified by the online tool. Four species of native trees sourced from Florida will be offered: red maple, bald cypress, live oak and sweet bay magnolia. One tree per household can be reserved during the giveaway. Each tree will be delivered to Sarasota residents in a one-gallon container..."
Also, watch for the annual Crepe Myrtle tree fundraising sale by the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
