Code Violation Remediation

At times homeowners are unaware of the county and city ordinances regarding the care, removal and planting of trees. Trees represent several values to our communities and must be managed in an ever more developing urban environment. One of the many reasons codes are written are to protect not only the tree but the safety and well being of our community and it’s citizens. Once a tree is pruned improperly its risk of failure will be increased unless remediation is employed.

Improperly pruned trees:

Example of Improper pruning: Over lifting or “Lion’s Tailing” of a tree

• Increase the risk of partial or complete failure during wind events creating hazards to people, property and utilities
• Create defects and deformities forming weaknesses
• Produce more debris during a wind event which adds more taxpayer burden
• Increase total canopy loss in our communities
• Increase the loss of habitat
• Increase loss of shade and screening values
• Increases growth of the canopy to replace what was removed creating  extreme density
• Require more frequent pruning
• Cost more to prune in the future

Please note:

Although a tree may have a full green canopy after an improper pruning does not signify that it is healthy. Upon close inspection it is observed that excessive growth is a product of stress. Often times it is only evident what the effects of improper pruning have on a tree after a major wind event and all of its associated costs are totaled. For example, over pruned palms suffer more damage or even death from a wind event due to the decreased protection of the bud and the change in dynamics of how a palm should move in the wind.

Example of Improper Pruning: ”Hat-racked” tree

Remediation Process:

• Once you contract with us we communicate directly with the county code enforcement officer regarding your situation. We will act as the agent working between you and the county to resolve any issues and to answer any questions you may have throughout the entire process.

After our inspection we will provide you and the code enforcement officer with a written arborist evaluation to determine if a pruning program may rectify the violation. In the event that a pruning program may not return the tree to a productive, healthy and safe structure then the only option is to remove and replace the tree with a county recommended tree (see Collier County planting list below).

• In some cases, the cost of cure for a restorative pruning program may outweigh the removal and replacement cost. This decision would then be based on the homeowner’s preference.

Once the remedial action has been completed both parties will be notified. A follow up site visit by the code officer will be made to document that remedial action has been performed and is compliant.

Proper Pruning Techniques:

• For more information on proper pruning techniques, please refer tohttp://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/topping.aspx & http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning.html
• For more information on proper palm pruning, please refer to University of Florida publication.

Below is the list of approved plantings for Collier County.

Collier County Native Plant List Guide

* Cabbage palms must be used in groupings of 3 to count towards canopy tree requirements.  Palms can only be used for up to 30% of the canopy requirements.

** Not a good buffer shrub – becomes leggy over time.

Services

• Air Spade
• Bio Soil Conditioning
• Cabling and Bracing
• Code Violation Remediation
• Consulting
• Disaster Remediation
• Disease and Pest Management
• Drought Stress Program
• Eco Sensitive Fertilization Program
• Lethal Yellowing
• Lightning Protection
• Organic Plant Nutrition
• Palm Care
• Plant Health Care
• Planting And Transplanting
• Pruning
• Rain Barrel
• Root Barrier Systems
• Site Planning
• Stump Removal
• Tree Removal