Local help
We do not endorse any business. Always check an arborist's credentials yourself: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/verify or the ISA Credential Holders directory, https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com/
ISA-certified arborists serving Gulf Breeze
- David J. Bradford, ISA Certified Arborist + TRAQ, FL-6216A. A Cut Above Tree Care, Pensacola. 850-432-6061. https://www.acutabovetreecarepensacola.com/certified-arborist-gulf-breeze-fl Listed in the ISA Credential Holders directory (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- Amanda Holston, ISA Certified Arborist + TRAQ (no certificate number published). Holston Tree Service. 850-572-9863. https://holstontree.com/about-holston-tree-service/ Listed in the ISA Credential Holders directory (checked Oct 29, 2026).
Or search by ZIP: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
Nurseries with native live oaks
- Bailey's Produce & Nursery, 4301 N. Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503. 850-332-5959. https://baileysproduce.com/trees-and-citrus/ Call to confirm stock.
- Panhandle Palm & Rock, 1801 Presidio St., Navarre, FL 32566. (850) 939-1934. https://panhandlepalmandrock.com/products/live-oak Call to confirm stock.
- Pinelands Nursery, 8365 Hwy 90, Milton, FL 32583. (850) 623-0602. https://pinelandsfl.com/ Call to confirm live oaks.
Help with costs: what's available right now
Updated as of November 9, 2026. Programs, places, and deadlines change, so check the official links before you go. We'll update this if anything changes.
- FEMA: The Hurricane Isaias declaration (DR-4955, Oct 27, 2026) now includes Individual Assistance for households in Santa Rosa County, as well as Public Assistance for local governments (for things like roadside debris). If you had damage, file a claim with your insurance first; FEMA can't pay for losses insurance already covers. Then apply at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, with the FEMA app, or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. FEMA reviews each application and decides what it can cover, so ask about your trees when you apply. In-person help: a registration point at Tiger Point Park, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, and a Multi-Agency Resource Center at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex, 6495 Caroline Street, Milton. Check current hours before you go.
As of Nov 9, 2026. Sources: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4955/designated-areas · https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/1196/Hurricane-Isaias-Community-Resources - SBA disaster loans: The U.S. Small Business Administration now offers low-interest disaster loans for this storm to homeowners, renters, and businesses in Santa Rosa County. These are loans, not grants, and must be repaid. The deadline for physical damage applications is December 28, 2026. Apply at https://lending.sba.gov or call SBA at 1-800-659-2955.
As of Nov 9, 2026. Source: SBA notice in the Federal Register, Nov. 4, 2026 - Santa Rosa County housing recovery: The county says it is setting up disaster recovery assistance for eligible homeowners whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Isaias. It says help may include eligible home repairs and tree and debris removal for qualifying households, subject to eligibility rules, available funding, and final program guidelines. Gulf Breeze is its own city, so ask the county whether this applies to your address.
As of Nov 9, 2026. Source: https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/1196/Hurricane-Isaias-Community-Resources - Florida Forest Service urban forestry grants go to cities, schools, and nonprofits, not to individual homeowners. Homeowners can still get free advice.
Storm debris
- Santa Rosa County, Hurricane Isaias debris info: https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/1199/Hurricane-Isaias-Debris-Information
- Santa Rosa County, Hurricane Isaias community resources: https://santarosa.fl.gov/1196/Hurricane-Isaias-Community-Resources
Gulf Breeze is its own city. City pickup rules may differ from the county's. Check with the City.
Agencies and experts
- UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County, (850) 623-3868: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/santa-rosa/
- UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County, (850) 475-5230: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia/
- UF/IFAS Hurricane Recovery series: https://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/recovery-resources/
- UF/IFAS Trees and Hurricanes (wind resistance by species): https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/trees-and-hurricanes/
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping (right plant, right place): https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/
- Florida Forest Service, Urban & Community Forestry: https://www.fdacs.gov/UrbanForestry
- Florida Forest Service, Santa Rosa County Forester Ashlee White: (850) 626-3028, Ashlee.White@FDACS.gov. https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/Field-Operations/County-Foresters/Find-a-County-Forester
- Blackwater River State Forest / Blackwater Forestry Center, Milton: (850) 957-5700. https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Blackwater-River-State-Forest
- Florida Division of Emergency Management: https://www.floridadisaster.org/
- City of Gulf Breeze tree removal: https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/tree-removal/ · Permits: Community Services 850-934-5109 · City Hall main (850) 934-5100
- City of Gulf Breeze Tree Protection Brochure: https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/download/tree-protection-brochure/
- Arbor Day Foundation (tree care and replanting info): https://www.arborday.org/
- Florida 811 (call before you dig): https://sunshine811.com/
- Trees on power lines: don't touch them. Call 911 for hazards. Report outages and downed lines to FPL: 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243).