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How Do IHere are some of the questions people ask us most often. Don't see your question here? Contact us and we will get back to you as quickly as we can. Check back often, we will be adding new questions all the time! Do I need a Permit to remove a tree on my property? Yes, with a few exceptions. All trees 5” Diameter at Breast 4 1/2 Feet Height (DBH) are protected and require a permit for removal. There are some exempt trees that do not require a permit. All Cypress trees and all mangroves are protected regardless of size. Permits are applied for at the Construction Services Center at (813) 274-3100.Do I need a Permit to prune a tree? In most cases, no you would not need a permit to trim your trees. This does change if the tree is large and might be considered a Grand Tree. All Grand Trees and all trees in the right-of-way require a permit for pruning. Although a permit is not required to prune protected trees, the pruning must meet the standards of the industry. These standards are ANSI 300 pruning specifications. So you could be cited if the pruning did not comply with these standards. Permits are applied for at the Construction Services Center at (813) 274-3100.Do I have the right to prune my neighbor’s tree back to the property line? This is a tricky question. Generally you have a right to self-help. This means you have a right to keep your property safe. However, The City’s code prevents the destruction, irreversible harm or disfigurement to protected trees. This applies to the underground portion of the tree as well. My suggestion would be to consult an International Society of Aboriculture Certified Arborist. Often, what appears threatening to the untrained, can be mitigated with correct pruning, or not be the threat perceived by the tree owner.The tree along the street needs work, who do I call?  The Forestry Division maintains trees along street right-of-ways
and in parks. For routine maintenance request call 813/274-8615 during business
hours. If there are other trees in the area, we ask that you mark the tree
you are concerned about with flagging or another method not injurious to the
tree. A representative from Forestry will inspect the tree and write up a
work order or put the tree on a watch list. This allows us to monitor the
tree with periodic checks.I suspect someone is doing tree work with out the required permits. Who do I call? You should call the 24-hr. hot line at 813/258-8733. You may also call construction services at 813/274-3100.When is the best time to prune my trees? The answer depends on several factors. If you are doing a light pruning (less than 15% of the canopy) and your pruning shears are sharp. Pruning can be completed any time. If the pruning involves between 15% and 25% (the maximum limit), then I would suggest waiting until the winter months. This is the trees slow growth period and the loss of leaf surface will not be as damaging to the tree. The tree also has a full growing period to start the process of compartmentalization (CODIT). As an added bonus, tree service work is slow during this time, therefore work can usually be done at a reduced cost.Avoid pruning in early in the spring. I suggest waiting until three to four weeks after the leaves have emerged. There are two key reasons why, 1) the resources stored in the tree over the winter will start moving to the buds to produce the new leaves. 2) To produce the new leaves, it requires the tree to deplete its stored reserves. Leaving the leaves on for that period will help the tree recapture some of the lost energy. Avoid pruning in late summer and early fall. This is the trees second growth spurt. This is the time the tree starts storing resources for next spring. Should I paint a wound after making my cut? Research has found that the paint or “tree tar” as it used to be called, does more harm than good. We used to think it would keep out insects. It does not. The best way to keep insects out of your tree is to have a healthy tree. The same research has showed that the wound covering traps moisture behind the seal and promotes decay.
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