Tree Maintenance & Conservation
more trees, please
Trees and green space are an important part of St. Pete's built and natural environment. They promote social, economic, and environmental health by capturing and slowing rain, filtering air pollution, providing shade and healthier environments, providing food and habitat to local flora and fauna, and contributing to the character and aesthetic beauty of the city’s neighborhoods and business districts.
Since 1986, The City of St. Petersburg has been awarded the Tree City USA award - celebrating 36 consecutive years of work and commitment to environmental protection.
In addition to assisting with proper planting, maintenance, and removal of trees on both private and public property, the City of St. Petersburg also focuses on the big picture with city-wide canopy studies and policies for conservation and green infrastructure.
Guidelines for Tree Maintenance & Removal
The City is committed to protecting, promoting, and maintaining a healthy, diverse, and mature urban forest, which includes trees that reside on residential property. Before doing any work on or around trees, property owners should ask an arborist or contact the City to make sure they comply with local regulations.
In some cases, a tree must be removed due to its health or safety implications. If this is the case, a tree removal permit must be obtained from the City. If residents are doing tree maintenance that does not require a permit, they can take advantage of the City’s brush drop-off sites to properly dispose of trimmings and yard debris.
Find an Arborist
The City provides low cost Certified Arborist services to residents through an on-staff ISA Certified Arborist who will conduct required tree inspections. Identified non-hazardous trees located on residential property and all trees located on commercial property will continue to follow existing ordinances 16.40.060, LDC.
Contact a City Certified Arborist ISA Database of Certified Arborists
Request an Inspection or Permit
Tree Removal Applications can be submitted, tracked, and paid online through the Building Permit Portal or via e-mail at trees@stpete.org. The application is entered into the City’s permit database and staff endeavors to inspect the tree within 2 business days after the $25 initial inspection fee has been paid. Once the inspection has been approved by the City arborist and the permit fee has been paid, the tree removal permit is required to be posted in a manner that is clearly visible from the street. Tree Removal Permits are valid for 6-months. Further questions or concerns can be addressed by phone at 727-463-5680.
Protected, Grand, and Signature Trees
If there are Protected, Grand, or Signature trees within 15 feet of the proposed construction, on the property, or on adjacent property, then the trees need to be shown on the site plan, by size and species. If tree removal is proposed, or a Grand tree requires trimming of a branch 8” in diameter or greater, a permit will be required. View the Protected, Grand, and Signature Tree Informational Handout.
- Protected: Any shade tree 4” or larger diameter at breast height (DBH, as measured 4 ½ feet above ground); any understory tree which is 8” or larger DBH.
- Grand: Any code protected tree which is 30 inches in diameter DBH or larger, except for Laurel Oaks. Grand Trees are afforded a higher level of protection and need to be preserved.
- Signature: This is a category of non-native trees which due to the size, prevalence, and history in the local community warrant recognition and protection. This includes Banyan trees, Kapok trees that are 30” or larger DBH, and Jacaranda trees and Royal Poinciana trees that are 8” or larger DBH.
Certified Tree Reports
An Arborist Report is a document that reports the condition of the tree in question, notes issues, damage or areas of concern while still providing information about the cause of issues which includes; site conditions, pest or disease threats, or mechanical injury.
A letter report is the format most typically utilized by Certified Arborists. The letter report is best suited for assessing one to three trees and is designed for situations where a detailed report is required by the permitting agency. The report serves to disclose the arborist’s professional opinion on the overall condition and location of the tree that the owner wishes to be trimmed or removed.
For documentation to be considered satisfactory, letter reports must include:
- The name, contact information, qualifications/certifications of the arborist preparing the report
- Address where the tree(s) are located
- Dates of inspection, report and photos
- Tree information including dimensions, branching structure, root system, apparent wounds, infestations
- Description of tree location on site and discussion of site conditions and potential targets if failures occur
- Inspection method and discussion of equipment and methods used to assess tree condition
- Assessment observations
- Relevant photos of the tree
- Conclusions drawn from the assessment and discussion of mitigation techniques available
- Recommendations made to the property owner
House Bill 1159 prohibits a local government from requiring a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the tree presents a danger to persons or property, as documented by a Certified Arborist or Licensed Landscape Architect. The bill does not apply to mangrove trees, non-dangerous trees, non-residential properties, or to vacant land. The City will continue to require a Tree Inspection and Tree Removal or Grand Tree Trimming permit for all trees that are not subject to the exemption.
Residents who have obtained a Tree Report from a Certified Arborist or Landscape Architect for a dangerous tree on their property should email it to trees@stpete.org so that the City can track the exemption to avoid unnecessary inspections or compliance actions.
Tree Canopy & Conservation
Maintaining a healthy urban forest provides a variety of long-term benefits to St. Pete, including environmental enhancements, economic savings, climate resilience, neighborhood character, and wildlife habitat. The City is working on an urban tree canopy assessment to help the City to prioritize planting areas, project long-term goals and needs, and strengthen stewardship and conservation efforts.
Right Tree, Right Place
Use this recommendation list to help decide not only what type of trees to plant, but where to plant them. This helps the health and longevity of the tree and its environment.
St. Pete’s Citizen Forester Program
In 2022, the Urban Forestry Committee created a Citizen Science program which was named the Citizen Forester program.
The purpose of the Citizen Forester Program is to work with residents to become tree stewards, increase awareness by engaging residents with service project opportunities, and advocate for the improved health and resilience of the city’s urban forest.
The Citizen Forester Program accomplishes this purpose by offering tree inventory training for volunteers as well as support to residents in planting trees that will provide social, environmental, and economic benefits to their community.
If you have questions about the program or would like to attend one of our upcoming tree inventory or tree planting trainings, sign up using the form below:
Get Involved
For any other questions about St. Pete's Citizen Forester Program, contact Dean Hay at Dean.Hay@Stpete.org.
Maintaining a healthy urban forest provides a variety of long-term benefits to St. Pete, including environmental enhancements, economic savings, climate resilience, neighborhood character, and wildlife habitat.
The City has completed a city-wide tree canopy analysis to benchmark St. Pete's current tree canopy cover, share the history of the city's tree conservation practices, and recommend setting a 30% tree canopy goal.
This Tree Canopy Analysis will assist the City to prioritize planting areas, project long-term goals and needs, and strengthen stewardship and conservation efforts.
St. Pete’s Tree Canopy
The Tree Canopy Analysis, using 2017 aerial data, was performed using the US Forest Service iTree Canopy tool. Below are a few highlights from the final report:
- Pete’s tree canopy covers 27.2% of the land area; a 3% - 5% average increase from the 1975 estimate. This is remarkable considering there had been measurable tree canopy losses in the Gateway and Tyrone development areas during this period.
- Our tree canopy is valued at nearly $11 million annually, plus an additional $53 million over the course of the trees’ lifetime.
- The tree canopy sequesters 9,971 metric tons of carbon every year. That’s equal to the greenhouse gas emissions from 2,154 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
City-Wide Goals for the Tree Canopy & Green Infrastructure
City-wide goals consider local requirements and planning, neighborhood characteristics, and industry metrics.
- Tree Canopy (recommended) goal: 30% of the City’s land area
- ISAP Goal: At least 85% of residents live within 1/3 mile of green infrastructure features that provide localized cooling through tree canopy or vegetative surfaces.
- Land Development Regulation: Every residential property shall have at least 2 shade trees.
- Comprehensive Plan Goals:
- Maintain a city-wide total of 50% green permeable open space
- Preserve and increase vegetation (trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants)
- On an annual basis, replant new trees in the rights of way and other public property in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of hardwood trees removed from these areas.
Neighborhood Tree Matching Mini-Grant
The City of St. Petersburg offers grants of up to $10,000 to neighborhood and business associations or organizations for specific improvement projects that build relationships and improve the community. The goal of this grant program is to increase the tree canopy, diversify the species of trees, and optimize the locations of trees on public property in St. Pete.
The grant period is currently closed; updates will be posted here.