§ 72-841. Tree relocation option.

Any person may elect to relocate a nonhistoric tree subject to prior approval by the county forester. Any person electing to relocate a tree, rather than remove it, shall receive credit for successful relocation equal to 100 percent of the cross sectional area of the tree, deducted from the tree replacement requirements as specified in section 72-842 of this division.

(1)

Tree relocation requirements. To ensure successful relocation and transplanting of trees to the following guidelines shall be adhered to:

a.

No other trees on-site shall be unnecessarily damaged by the relocation.

b.

A relocated tree shall not interfere with existing or proposed utilities, either above or below ground. A relocated tree which may reach a height of 30 feet, shall not be placed within 20 feet of an overhead powerline.

c.

A tree should be relocated within the vicinity from which the original tree was removed, where practicable.

d.

Any tree being relocated shall not be unnecessarily damaged during removal, transport or replanting of that tree.

e.

If a tree has a dormant period, it should be transplanted during that time. A tree should not be transplanted during periods of strong, dry winter winds or during droughts.

f.

Adequate space for root and canopy development shall be provided.

g.

Prior to transplanting, the tree shall be root and canopy pruned according to sound arboricultural standards. All crown pruning shall be done in accordance with standards set by the American National Standards Institute, as amended.

h.

During and following transplanting of a tree, the root ball and trunk shall be protected. The root ball must be kept moist at all times.

i.

A transplanted tree shall be braced for at least one year after its relocation.

j.

A transplanted tree shall be fertilized as appropriate and shall be watered sufficiently until tree growth is re-established.

(2)

Tree relocation maintenance/monitoring requirements. Any person conducting tree relocation activities shall:

a.

Maintain the health of a relocated tree for a period of two years following final inspection and approval.

b.

Replace, with a equivalent cross sectional area, within 60 days, a relocated tree that dies or is determined by the county forester to be effectively destroyed within two years of being relocated. The two-year maintenance period shall begin anew whenever a tree is replaced.

(3)

Tree relocation bond requirements:

a.

Unless otherwise exempted by this article, any person conducting tree relocation activities must post a bond to insure the survival of the relocated trees designated for preservation. Said bond shall meet the approval of the county attorney's office and may be in the form of a letter of credit drawn upon banks or savings and loan institutions legally doing business in the State of Florida, cash bonds issued by an insurance company legally doing business in Florida or other acceptable means as approved by the county attorney's office. This bond shall be in addition to any other bond that may be required by any other governmental entity.

b.

Determination of the bond amount shall be computed based upon the most current version of the Guide for Plant Appraisal, published by the International Society of Arboriculture.

c.

Government entities are exempt from bond requirements.

d.

Release of bonds. Tree relocation bonds will be released upon successful tree relocation as set forth in this article and written approval by the county forester.

e.

Drawing on bonds. If a tree is determined by the county forester to be effectively destroyed within two years from the date of relocation, the bond shall be drawn upon and funds will be deposited into the tree replacement trust fund. Said funds will be expended pursuant to section 72-846 of this division.

(Ord. No. 02-13, § I, 7-18-02; Ord. No. 2008-25, § III, 12-4-08)