Frequently asked questions

Q: My oak lost big limbs. Is it dead?

A: Not always. Trees can recover from losing all their leaves and several big limbs. Have an ISA-certified arborist look before you decide.

Q: Should I cut it back to even it out?

A: Not now. Remove as little live wood as you can. Reshaping waits two years or more.

Q: Do I need a permit to take down a tree?

A: Inside city limits, trees 12 inches and up (measured 4.5 feet up) generally need a free city permit. Florida law (F.S. 163.045) offers an exemption for single-family detached homes with a written arborist or landscape architect risk finding. Call Community Services at 850-934-5109 first.

Q: Does the permit cost anything?

A: No. The city doesn't charge a fee for tree removal permits.

Q: Should I top my tree to make it safer?

A: No. Topping makes trees weaker and more likely to break later.

Q: What should I plant?

A: Live oak, sand live oak, southern magnolia, and other natives. See Before the Storm.

Q: Can FEMA pay to remove my tree?

A: It depends. As of November 9, 2026, FEMA Individual Assistance is open to Santa Rosa County households after Hurricane Isaias. FEMA reviews each application and decides what it can cover, and it won't pay for losses your insurance covers. File with your insurance first, then apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. See Local Help for details and sources. We'll update this page if that changes.

Q: Can you help pay for a new tree?

A: Not right now. We share information only.

Q: Are you a nonprofit?

A: Not yet. Sign up for the newsletter to hear about our progress.