Take a breath before you cut.

A tree that looks bad today may live another hundred years. A tree that looks fine may be a danger. A pro can tell the difference.

Safety first

• Is a tree on a power line? Don't touch it. Call 911 for a downed line or hazard, and report it to FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243).
• Hanging limbs, split trunks, and trees leaning on a house are a job for a certified arborist only. [Source A]
• Don't climb. Don't run a chainsaw from a ladder.

Remove as little live wood as possible

Save or remove? A quick checklist

Signs worth saving:

• Trunk and main limbs intact, no cracks.
• Root plate in place. Soil not heaved.
• Lost leaves and small-to-medium limbs, but the structure is there.
• A younger tree that was healthy before the storm.

Signs it may need to come down:

• Root plate lifted, soil heaving or cracked, or roots pulled out of the ground.
• Split or cracked trunk, or cracks in major limbs.
• 50–70% or more of the crown gone, especially on an older or weak tree.
• Big decay cavities newly exposed.

Let an ISA-certified arborist make the call. [Sources A, C]

Step 1: Get an arborist check first

Find an ISA-certified arborist. Ask for a written assessment.
Search here: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist

Hiring a crew? Watch for storm chasers

• Ask for the ISA certificate number. Check it yourself: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/verify
• Get a written estimate.
• Never pay in full up front.
• Ask for proof of insurance and a business license.

[Source D]

Step 2: Prune smart. Care for the roots.

• Make clean cuts just outside the branch collar.
• No flush cuts. No wound paint.
• Don't pile soil, debris, or gravel over the roots.
• No trenching. Don't park or drive on the root zone.
• The root zone is bigger than you think: 1.25 to 1.5 feet out from the trunk for every inch of trunk width. A 30-inch oak needs 38 to 45 feet. [Source E, North Carolina guidance]
• Water deeply during dry spells for the next year or two while the tree recovers. (Practical advice.)

What not to do

• No topping. Topping means chopping the top off a tree. Poor pruning like topping makes trees more likely to fail in wind. [Source 2; https://www.treesaregood.org/Tree-Owner-Resources/whytoppinghurts]
• No lion-tailing. Don't let crews strip the inside branches and leave puffs at the tips. The tree-care standard (ANSI A300) calls it "not an acceptable pruning practice," and it can weaken limbs.

Why live oaks are worth saving: see When the wind arrives on our eco-tour.

Step 3: Know the permit rules

Inside Gulf Breeze city limits:

• Protected trees are 12 inches across and up, measured 4.5 feet above the ground. Removing one needs a city permit. (Sec. 22-181)
• The permit is free. The city says it "does not charge a permit fee for tree removals." (FY2027 fee schedule)
• Trees under 12 inches on a single-family lot under 1 acre are exempt. (Sec. 22-169)
• You apply in writing, and the city inspects on site. (Sec. 22-182)
• Heritage trees are 48 inches and up.
• Replacement trees must be planted, not paid for.
• Normal pruning doesn't need a permit, unless it mutilates, kills, or removes the tree.

City tree removal page: https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/tree-removal/
Apply online: https://cityofgulfbreeze-ktmle.formstack.com/forms/tree_removal_application
Permit questions: Community Services, 850-934-5109
City Hall main line: (850) 934-5100
Tree Protection Brochure: https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/download/tree-protection-brochure/

Florida law: single-family homes

Under F.S. 163.045, at a single-family detached home, you can remove a tree without a city permit if an ISA-certified arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect assesses it onsite, in writing, and finds it poses an unacceptable risk. The city can't require you to replant under this law. This doesn't apply to condos, duplexes, multifamily, or commercial property. Keep that written assessment. Statute: Florida Statutes, Section 163.045

Always confirm with the city

Rules change. Call Community Services at 850-934-5109 before you remove a tree.
This page is general information, not legal advice.