Tree Service in Sanibel, FL

Tree Service in Sanibel is regulated more closely than almost anywhere else in Southwest Florida, and for good reason. Since the city incorporated in 1974, after the 1963 causeway opened the island to rapid building, residents have used a comprehensive land use plan to keep development in balance with the island's ecology. The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge alone covers more than 5,200 acres. Fort Myers Tree Service Pros approaches Sanibel jobs knowing the island's vegetation standards are part of the job, not an obstacle to it.

What the vegetation standards ask of owners

According to the city's Vegetation Committee, at least 75% of the trees, shrubs and groundcovers on a property should be native, with up to 25% non-invasive exotics. Properties are to be kept clear of a list of eight invasive exotic plants, Brazilian pepper among them. Pruning of native plants is limited to 25% of the total leaf area in any one year. Moving or removing a protected native plant, trimming mangroves, and trimming in the beach and dune zone all need permits.

Who does the cutting

Sanibel requires a Vegetation Competency Card for landscape work beyond mowing, edging and blowing. The committee put it plainly: trimming or pruning requires the card. Getting one means passing a written test on the island's vegetation standards and a field plant identification test. Mangrove trimming has its own separate competency test, and all mangrove trimming is reported to the city. Ask anyone you hire on the island about these requirements before work starts.

Mangroves, living or dead

Florida's Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act covers red, white and black mangroves. The state notes that the act does not distinguish between living and dead mangroves, so a mangrove killed by surge is still regulated. Many bayside lots on Sanibel have mangrove fringes, and we leave them alone unless the work is properly authorized.

What storms taught the island

When Hurricane Charley crossed in 2004 as a Category 4 with 143 mph winds, Australian pines suffered serious damage and blocked nearly every road, while most native vegetation survived. Australian pine is an invasive that shades out natives and drops thick needle beds that change the soil under it. Ian was harder still: the National Hurricane Center estimated 9 to 13 feet of surge on the eastern part of the island, where a USGS sensor measured 12.58 feet. On the east end in particular, many trees are still being judged for recovery.

Typical Sanibel work

• Removing Brazilian pepper, Australian pine and other listed invasives
• Light, staged pruning of sea grape, gumbo limbo and buttonwood within the yearly limit
• Removing palms and trees that died after Ian's surge
• Stump grinding and cleanup before native replanting
• Clearing limbs from roofs and screened lanais

LCEC supplies power on Sanibel and asks that only line clearance qualified workers trim within 10 feet of its lines. If a tree is touching a line, call the cooperative at 239-656-2300 first. For everything else, call (239) 236-3651 for a free estimate. Get a free estimate