HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibitCity of Miami
Tree Master Plan
City of Miami Tree Master Plan
Table of Contents
• Introduction 3
• City of Miami Tree Master Plan Goals 4
• Data Collection ..4
o Urban Eco—System Analysis
o Tracking of Tree Plantings
• Coordination of City -Wide Plantings 6
o Public Right -of -Ways
o Parks
o Community Plantings
• Funding Considerations and Sources 7
o Tree Trust Fund
o Private/ Public Partnerships
o Bulk Purchasing
• Professional Development 8
o Professional Certification Process
o Enforcement of Codes
• Public Awareness Campaign 10
o Public Service Announcements
o City Website
o Informational Kits
■ Home Owners
■ Developers
• Citizen Education Program 12
• City and County Collaboration 13
• City Urban Forestry Working Group Task Assignments 14
• Miami Green Commission Members 16
• Appendix - Miami -Dade Street Tree Master Plan 17
2
Introduction
In 2005, Mayor Manuel A. Diaz signed a letter committing to the Kyoto Accord, which
pledged to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per the outcomes of the Kyoto Protocol. The
United Nations brought countries together to ratify this protocol, which commits to
reducing country emissions of carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases or to
engaging in emissions trading if a country maintains or increases emissions of these
gases. The Mayor's commitment to join other mayors throughout the country was a bold
statement that brought the issue of environmental policy to the forefront of South Florida
priorities.
Over the past four years, the City has been addressing important environmental issues
including the implementation of the Litter Busters program, efforts addressing
environmental remediation (i.e., Wagner Creek, Grapeland Park and Fern Isle), and the
work being done to restore the City's tree canopy after the onslaught of hurricanes that
have impacted the City over the past two years. To truly address the environmental needs
of our City today and over the years to come, the City's approach must become more
strategic, aggressive, and inclusive of local, state, and federal partners and resources.
During the Mayor's 2006 State of the City Address, core steps for environmental policy
were outlined, increasing the level of focus on innovation and developing a strong
foundation for environmentalism. One of these steps was the development of the City of
Miami Green Commission. The Miami Green Commission, a group of experts brought
together by the Mayor, meets periodically to provide insight for the development of City
of Miami "Green Policy". The Green Commission meetings are guided by a City
Commissioner and has begun under the leadership of Commissioner Joe Sanchez
The Urban Forestry Working Group (a working group of the Miami Green Commission)
and city staff have finalized a City -Wide Tree Master Plan that links to key urban forestry
principles including a focus on appropriate tree selection, proper installation, and
maintenance of trees. A key element of the plan includes an education and awareness
campaign highlighting "hurricane horticulture" information, installation and maintenance
facts, and guidance on tree selection.
The plan will be a unique coordination linking both city and county input and will be
used as a framework to coordinate efforts to restore and enhance the City's tree canopy
with a goal of a minimum of 30 percent tree canopy coverage, City-wide, by 2020.
3
City of Miami Tree Master Plan Goals
The City of Miami Tree Master Plan will focus on the following goals:
• Identify the City's tree canopy needs and target areas that require the most
attention for reforestation.
• Track all tree plantings in the City of Miami to quantify contributions to the
City's tree canopy.
• Develop public/private partnerships to maximize and leverage community
resources and funding for the benefit of the enhancement of the citywide tree
canopy.
• Develop a public education and awareness campaign to inform and support
citizens and local businesses regarding the City's tree canopy needs.
• Establish professional development standards that will ensure proper
installation and maintenance of trees in the City of Miami.
Data Collection
Recent losses in tree cover due to hurricanes, citrus canker, and urban development have
had a negative impact on the City's green infrastructure and its ability to mitigate
pollution and enhance air and water quality. The City of Miami, recognizing these
concerns, will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Miami -Dade County
authorizing the County, on behalf of the City, to contract with American Forests to
conduct an Urban Ecosystem Analysis. This analysis will develop a series of green
infrastructure data layers to serve as a fundamental framework for:
• Conducting ecological analyses of changes in the community's green
infrastructure assets.
• Providing decision support tools and data for the City to incorporate into future
planning.
Urban Ecosystem Analysis
American Forests will provide an Urban Ecosystem Analysis using CITY Green
software. CITY Green Software is a powerful GIS application for land use planning and
policy making. The software conducts complex statistical analyses of the city's
4
ecosystem and creates easy -to -understand maps and reports. CITY Green calculates
dollar benefits based on the area's specific site conditions.
The data generated from CITY Green can be used by a variety of individuals for different
purposes. Planners can model development scenarios and evaluate landscape ordinances.
Engineers can estimate the impact of tree loss on stormwater management costs. Urban
foresters can justify increases in maintenance, planting, and preservation. Educators can
teach forestry, environmental studies, landscape architecture, and city planning. Citizen
groups can advocate environmentally friendly solutions. Developers can save money on
erosion control and stormwater management. Regulatory agencies can measure the air
quality benefits of green space. The data is a multi -purpose information source that will
drive the City's coordination of tree plantings.
The analysis will utilize widely accepted scientific and engineering formulas to make
these ecological value calculations. The data delivered will be geo-referenced, and
formatted to be used with a GIS database. American Forests will provide:
• A CD of digital, value-added classified Landsat data of the City using Landsat
Satellite imagery from 1995, 2001, and 2006. The information provided on this
CD will demonstrate how the City's tree canopy has progressed / digressed over
time, as opposed to a one time snapshot. This will help to correlate the status of
the City's tree canopy to other events including canker reduction, hurricanes,
changes in land value, etc.
• A CD of digital value with added classified data of pre- and post -hurricane land
cover analysis of the City using recent high resolution, multispectral imagery.
• Fifteen licenses of CITY Green software for the City's use in various
departments. The software will be used to determine the areas in the city that are
in the most need of immediate attention and help to prioritize areas for future
plantings within individual departments.
Tracking of Citywide Tree Plantings
In order to ensure that all new tree plantings are accounted for and properly measured, the
city will enter each tree planting into its 311 CitiSTAT System. Departments currently
using this data collection tool include Office of Grants Administration, Public Works,
Neighborhood Enhancement Teams, Capital Improvement and Transportation and Parks
and Recreation.
Information entered into this system will include location, date of the planting,
commission district, type of tree planted, age group of volunteers performing work (if
applicable), city dollars spent, in -kind dollars (donation) and strategic partners involved
(if any). Reports may be formatted by any of the above categories for tracking purposes.
5
Coordination of City -Wide Plantings
In order to meet the ambitious goal of a minimum of 30 percent tree canopy coverage,
City-wide, by 2020, the City will need to focus on all potential avenues for new tree
installations. These will include tree plantings made directly by government agencies,
those sponsored by government but accomplished through public/private partnerships, as
well as, those required in association with private development projects.
Public Right -of -Ways
There are three hierarchies of public roadways within the City: State, County and City
streets. The City routinely coordinates any street improvement projects within the city
limits with the agency responsible for the roadway. New tree plantings are to be included
on all projects and are to conform to applicable roadway design standards, such as
horizontal clearance, sight distance, and avoidance of utility conflicts.
In recognition of the need to promote urban livability in conjunction with providing a
safe and reliable transportation system, the federal government recently adopted
standards for Transportation Design for Livable Communities. The Florida Department
of Transportation (FDOT) recently incorporated these design principles into their Plans
Preparation Manual design guidelines via a new chapter entitled, `Transportation Design
for Livable Communities'. These guidelines are further promoted in the Manual for
Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and
Highways, commonly known as the Florida Greenbook. These standards allow greater
flexibility regarding tree plantings in public rights of way, while not compromising or
sacrificing motorist public safety.
For transportation projects administered on state or county roadways the City routinely
coordinates with FDOT or Miami -Dade County Public Works to insure that landscape
plans are incorporated into the project plans. For state roadways the City further assumes
long term maintenance responsibility for the landscape. On all projects administered
directly by the City of Miami on city street rights of way, such as roadway rehabilitation,
traffic calming, flood mitigation or others, new tree plantings are incorporated wherever
possible. All of the new tree plantings are captured in the newly established citywide
database. Maintenance for the new tree plantings is typically covered by an initial six (6)
to twelve (12) month plant establishment period under the responsibility of the landscape
contractor. After the initial establishment or warranty period, the maintenance
responsibility transfers to the roadway jurisdictional agency or others as stated
previously.
6
Parks
City of Miami parks potentially provide even greater opportunities for new tree plantings
than public rights of way due to the lack of planting restrictions based on roadway design
criteria. The key here is striking a balance between passive green space and park space
used for recreational programming activities. New tree plantings are typically included
in conjunction with park improvement projects. It is the City's goal to assure that park
improvement projects include an emphasis on proper tree selection, installation, and
maintenance of trees planted.
Community Plantings
Several very successful tree planting events have been held by the City and local
community groups coordinated through the city's Neighborhood Enhancement Team
(NET) offices. These new tree plantings are typically focused on public rights of way
and involve the collaboration of various city departments with the sponsoring community
group volunteering to assist the City's efforts for the Greening of Miami.
In addition to partnerships with community groups, Miami -Dade County Public Schools
have also agreed to be an active participant in the efforts outlined by the Miami Green
Commission. The school system has committed to place a greater emphasis on the
establishment of new tree canopy when planning new school facilities or major school
facility renovations or upgrades within the City. They will provide information regarding
their new tree plantings to the City for incorporation into the tree planting tracking
database.
Funding Considerations and Sources
The City's current typical cost for installation of an average size tree ranges between
$700 to $1000, dependent on whether the tree is installed by City staff or by a City
vendor and including a plant establishment period. The intent of the City is to leverage
public funds and staff resources with private sector contributions to fully maximize the
number of new tree plantings.
Tree Trust Fund
The Tree Trust Fund was established by final City Commission action in December 2004
to facilitate the compliance of tree mitigation requirements, to facilitate the receipt of
equitable contributions for replacement trees and to restore the loss of tree canopy cover
in the City of Miami. Since the inception of the Tree Trust Fund, approximately
$638,000 has been collected by the City. Expenditures from this trust fund require
authorization by the City Manager, or his designee, upon written recommendations from
the directors of the departments of Planning and Zoning and/or Public Works. Not less
than eighty (80) percent of the Trust Fund shall be expended on tree replacement and
restoration during each fiscal year. However, if the City Manager, or his designee,
determines that there are insufficient reserves in the Trust Fund to implement a viable
tree replacement program, funds may be carried over to the next fiscal year. The Tree
Trust Fund currently serves as the City's primary funding source for city sponsored tree
canopy restoration efforts. The Tree Trust Fund monies can be leveraged when applying
for grants.
Public/Private Partnerships
The City recognizes that its ability to single-handedly spearhead the new tree planting
efforts is constrained based on routine citywide Public Works obligations and historic
experience regarding bid prices obtained for tree installation and maintenance. As a
result, the City intends to vigorously pursue public/private partnerships with local private
not -for -profit entities expert in the horticulture area, such as tropical botanical gardens,
tree and plant societies, garden clubs, etc. It is envisioned that the City will be able to
significantly leverage the Tree Trust Fund resources to reach the 2020 tree planting goal.
Through the City's participation in the collaborative development of the Miami -Dade
Street Tree Master Plan and through our own efforts with the Miami Green Commission,
the City has already successfully established relationships with many private not -for -
profit entities that can greatly assist in increasing tree canopy citywide. Further outreach
will occur to broaden this private sector base willing to partner with the City. Expected
benefits include supplementing city staff resources with volunteer staff for plantings and
maintenance, leveraging established relationships with local nurseries and growers to
achieve bulk discounts, greatly broadening total tree planting capacity, to name a few.
Bulk Purchasing
In addition to public/private partnerships the City intends to pursue bulk purchases
directly from local nurseries and growers to maximize the spending power of the Tree
Trust Fund monies. The City will work closely with the County and other municipalities
to leverage bulk purchases that will benefit the South Florida community as a whole at
the best prices possible.
Professional Development
To assure that the City of Miami's tree canopy is maintained and enhanced properly, the
professionals working within these efforts must be appropriately trained and/or monitored
by individuals that can recognize the key elements that lead to a healthy sustainable
canopy. Professional development and enforcement must be addressed both intemally
and externally based on a recognizable standard that will heighten the professional
knowledge of individuals working within the field of landscaping. It is the City's goal to
have a certified arborist supervising all City projects. This will require that all City
8
vendors hired to install or maintain trees have a certified arborist on staff. Additionally,
City departments participating in tree plantings will need to be held to the same standard.
Professional Certification Process
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) tests and certifies arborists who install
and maintain trees. An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees. Arborists are
knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper
care.
There are five different types of ISA certifications, the most basic of which is a General
Certified Arborist. City vendors and City departments involved in tree plantings will be
required to have a General Certified Arborist on staff or available through other means by
December 2007. Landscaping vendors will be deemed non -responsive if they do not
provide staff with ISA certification. Only those vendors with ISA certification will
satisfy the minimum qualifications required for bidders.
To become a certified arborist, one must pass a test consisting of 200 multiple choice
questions and 10 tree identification questions. The exam can be taken in English or
Spanish. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience
and/or years of education in a related field to qualify for certification. Detailed
requirements can be found at www.isa-arbor.com.
The City of Miami will work closely with the ISA to assure that testing workshops will
be provided to interested individuals. Additionally, the City will provide venues for
testing sites to secure accessible and frequent testing opportunities.
To assure that the City of Miami professional development standard remains at a caliber
that will ensure commitment and advocacy for a sustainable urban forestry program, the
City will have at least one ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist on staff by
December 2007 and at least two ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialists on staff by
June 2008 or available through other means.
An ISA Certified Arborist / Municipal Specialist is a professional arborist who is an ISA
Certified Arborist in good standing and has additional experience in the specialty area of
urban trees. Municipal Specialists work for cities and states, parks, contractors or
consultants. One of the certification objectives is to provide the public and those in
government with a means to identify those professionals who have demonstrated, through
a professionally developed exam and education program, that they have a thorough
knowledge of establishing and maintaining trees in a community.
Enforcement of Codes
Clear standards for the City's canopy can be set, but without proper enforcement of these
standards, changes in policy will not become engrained within the residents'
expectations. To address the growing need for adequate monitoring of tree code
infringement, the Code Enforcement Department will have a Code Enforcement officer
9
focusing only on tree issues by August 2007. This individual will be trained to
recognize code infractions. An additional officer will be trained by December 2007 as
support for the Code Enforcement officer assigned to tree canopy infractions.
Public Awareness Campaign
Developing a sustainable tree canopy requires educating the residents, local businesses
and developers of the value of learning more about trees. The purpose of the City of
Miami Public Awareness Campaign will be to make people aware of the importance of
trees, the correct way to plant, proper tree selection, and to highlight the importance of
water conservation. The public awareness campaign is an important component to the
successful implementation of the City of Miami Tree Master Plan. The campaign will
have several facets: a unified marketing plan, a City website dedicated to "green issues",
public service announcements, and planting kits.
Marketing Campaign
City staff from both the Mayor's Office and the Communications Department will work
with the Miami Green Commission to develop a logo and slogan that will be utilized
throughout all literature, media outreach efforts, community workshops, and professional
development programs that link to the City of Miami Tree Master Plan. A consistent
message will link all components of the program together communicating a unified focus
and message across departments and participating community organizations.
Public Service Announcements
Public Service Announcement (PSA's) will be developed with content guidance
generated from the Urban Forestry Working Group and the technical support of the City
of Miami Communications Department. The content will be linked to a citywide
marketing plan that will also integrate information shared with the public through the
distribution of planting kits.
A series of Public Service Announcements will be developed addressing a variety of
"green topics" including proper maintenance of trees, water conservation, healthy living
environments, the benefits of planting trees, etc. The topic of "Hurricane Horticulture"
will be emphasized to dispel hurricane "tree myths". Many residents currently have the
perception that trees can be dangerous during hurricanes, because of the many incidents
that occur during hurricane season, such as the destruction of property and the tearing
away of the trees themselves. The campaign will educate the public on having the correct
trees, in appropriate locations to minimize the impact made by hurricane storms.
The City of Miami will run the PSA's on City of Miami Television (Channel 77) and on
City of Miami Radio (1680 AM). Additionally, already established partnerships with the
10
school system and other entities will allow for the airing of the announcements on WLRN
and local cable networks.
City Website
The City's website will have a webpage dedicated to providing information to the public
regarding the City Tree Master Plan. The website will include information provided in
Planting Kits and Public Service Announcements. Additionally, citizens will be able to
register their information online in order to receive notification via e-mail on tree
planting events, workshops, and regular "City of Miami Green Updates".
The content for the website will be reviewed by the City of Miami Green Commission
and regularly updated by identified City Staff.
Informational Kits:
Homeowners
Homeowners will receive a kit upon completing a Community Forester Workshop. Kits
will also be available at City of Miami NET offices and other select locations.
Resources provided in the kits will be developed through a collaborative effort between
the City, County, and the South Florida Water Management District. Kits will include
brochures from all partners, seed packets, and coupons from local hardware stores and
nurseries to purchase trees at a discounted cost.
Some brochure examples may include:
• 50 Ways to be Water -Smart, Sensible Sprinkling in South Florida
• Xeriscape: How to save water through water -smart landscaping
• Water Wise: South Florida Landscape. (Xeriscape guide)
• City of Miami's Go Native Brochure
• Supplemental information in Spanish/Creole will also be available
Developers
The City will create an "Urban Canopy Program" for developers incentivizing local
developers to contribute positively and effectively to the City's Tree Master Plan efforts.
Informational kits on the program will include fact sheets detailing the WaterSIP
program, drought -tolerant vegetation, Xeriscape landscaping, information on L.E.E.D
Certification criteria that is linked to project landscaping, and additional information on
"green" programs that will be available to the developer upon applying for a permit.
11
Workshops will also be provided for developers interested in learning about "building
and planting green" on a quarterly basis by August 2007.
If developers' utilize the suggested information within their plans, developers will have
the ability to obtain "credits" and an expedited permitting process.
A program will be developed by the City to allow the usage of earned credits for specific
incentives. The program will be directly linked to Miami 21 and the Mayor's Green
Building Initiative.
Citizen Education Program
The goal of the Citizens Education Program is to increase knowledge regarding the
importance of trees and an urban tree canopy, as well as how to maintain and protect
existing trees within the City of Miami. Urban Forestry education can be provided to
adults through Citizens Forester Workshops in partnership with local non -profits such as
Citizens for a Better South Florida and to youth through hands-on environmental
education programs such as the Community Science Workshop (CSW) model.
Adult Community Workshops
The Citizens Forester Workshops will empower and support community leaders and
citizens alike to take personal responsibility for their urban forests by educating, training
and supporting citizens to plant and care for trees in their neighborhoods, thereby
dramatically increasing tree survival. The program is modeled after a highly successful
urban forestry program in Los Angeles created by TreePeople, which boasts a 93% tree
survival rate — an exceptional rating for urban trees. The program utilizes and builds upon
partnerships with successful government and non-profit programs such as Adopt -a -Tree
and Hands on Miami.
The City of Miami will work with community based organizations to create an annual
calendar of citizen education workshops to be held at parks, NET offices, and
community -based and faith -based organizations.
Youth Community Workshops
The Community Science Workshop model isan innovative science after -school program
that provides at -risk youth opportunities to engage in environmental science projects and
pursue hands-on learning through science, technology, drama and art. The mission of the
CSW is to "Expand knowledge, thinking, and imagination with tools of discovery and
things to discover." Citizens for a Better South Florida currently has three CSW sites
within the City of Miami. The program can be expanded to integrate hands-on urban
forestry education into existing City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department after -
school programs and elementary schools throughout the City of Miami. The City of
Miami Grants Department will work with the local community -based organizations, the
Parks and Recreation Department and the Miami -Dade County Public School System to
expand the already established local best practice model.
12
City and County Collaboration
As stated earlier, the City has been an active participant with Miami -Dade County in the
development of their Miami -Dade Street Tree Master Plan. Miami -Dade County has
similarly collaborated with the City on the Miami Green Commission and Urban Forestry
Working Group. The County master plan document is included as an appendix to the
City's Tree Master Plan. The County plan includes a listing of recommended trees
suitable for planting in public rights of way. The City fully supports the establishment of
countywide standards and further recognizes the need to periodically revisit and update
the plant listing. The City's Public Works department has accepted and incorporated the
principles of the County plan into the routine approval processes utilized for tree
plantings. The City intends to utilize our public sector partners as well as our recognized,
expert private partners to continuously review and update the City's Tree Master Plan.
13
Urban Forestry Working Group Task Assignments
Task
1. Urban Ecosystem Analysis
Citv Coordinating Point of
( ontact for Task
Robert Ruano, Director, Office of
Grants, rruano(amiamigov.com
2. Data Tracking of Tree
Plantings
Robert Ruano, Director, Office of
Grants, rruanoAmiamigov.com
3. Public Right of Way
Plantings
Mary Conway, Chief of Operations,
mconway(miamigov.com
4. Park Plantings
Ernest Burkeen, Director, Parks and
Recreation Department,
eburkeenAmiamigov.com
5. Community Plantings
David Rosemond, Director,
Neighborhood Enhancement Teams,
darosemondAmiamigov.com
6. Documentation of Tree
Trust Fund Usage
Mary Conway, Chief of Operations.
mconwavAmiamigov.com
Mariano Loret De Mola, Director,
Code Enforcement,
MDeMola(a,ci. miami. fl.us
7. Development of Public
Private Partnerships
Mary Conway, Chief of Operations,
mconway(umiamigov.com
Lisa Martinez, Director of Policy and
Legislation, Office of the Mayor,
lmartinez(aimiamigov.com
8. Professional Licensing
Glenn Marcos, Director, Purchasing
Department,
gmarcosAmiamigov.com
Stephanie Grindell, Director, Public
Works Department,
srindell a,miamigov.com
9. Professional Development
Mary Conway, Chief of Operations,
mconway(ii),miamigov.com
14
Mariano Loret De Mola, Director,
Code Enforcement,
MDeMola(ci.miami.fl.us
10. Marketing Campaign
Lisa Martinez, Director of Police and
Legislation, Office of the Mayor,
lmartinezAmiamigov.com
Kelly Penton, Director, Office of
Communications,
kpenton(amiamigov.com
11. Public Service
Announcements
Kelly Penton, Director, Office of
Communications,
kpentonAmiamigov.com
12. City Website
Kelly Penton, Director, Office of
Communications,
kpenton(a�miamigov.com
Manny Otero, Web Administrator,
Information Technology,
motero(amiamigov.com
13. Homeowner Kits
David Rosemond, Director,
Neighborhood Enhancement Teams,
darosemond(amiamigov.com
14. Developer Kits
Orlando Toledo, Senior Director
Planning Department,
otoledo(a,miamigov. co m
15. Community Workshops for
Adults
David Rosemond, Director,
Neighborhood Enhancement Teams,
darosemond(,miamigov.com
16. Community Workshops for
Youth
Ernest Burkeen, Director, Parks and
Recreation Department,
eburkeen(amiamigov.com
15
Miami Green Commission Members
Mr. Braulio L. Baez
Senior Counsel
Holland & Knight LLP
Mr. Gustavo Berenblum
Principal
BEA International
Mr. German Brun
Architect
Oppenheim Architecture
Dr. Jason Chandler
Assistant Professor
Florida International
University
Mr. Scott Palmer Fuhrman
Project Coordinator
Holly Real Estate
Mr. Jose Gelabert-Navia
Managing Director
Perkins & Will
Mr. Ben Gilbert
Vice President
Montenay Power
Mr. Joey Goldman
President
Goldman Real Estate
Mr. Nicholas Gunia, Esq.
Executive Director
Dream in Green Inc.
Mr. Rob Hink
Principal
The Spinnaker Group
Management, Inc.
Mr. William Holly
President
Holly Real Estate
Ms. Aina Juliol
President
PGI Group
Mr. Keith R. Kulynych
Aaxis Architecture & Design
Project Manager
Dr. Gisela Lopez-Mata
Associate Professor
Florida International
University
Mr. Chad Oppenheim
Principal
Oppenheim Architecture
Ms. Elizabeth Plater-
Zyberk
Dean, School of Architecture
University of Miami
Colleen Ahern-Hettich
Earth Ethics Institute
Miami Dade College
Ms. Rose Diamond
Chief Facilities Officer
Miami -Dade County
Schools
Mr. Jose Fuentes
Director
South Florida Water
Management District
Ms. Carolyn Mitchell
President
USGBC Miami Chapter
The Honorable Harvey
Ruvin
Clerk of the Court
Miami -Dade County
Courthouse
Ms. Amy Creekmur
Program Coordinator
Tree Mendous Miami
Dr. Marvin Dunn
Chair
Department of Psychology
Mr. Bruce Greer
President of the Board of
Trustees
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Mr. Lin Lougheed
Trustee
Fairchild Tropical Garden
Ms. Edith McClintock
Executive Director
Citizens for a Better South
Florida
Mr. Jim McMaster
President
Tree Man Trust
Ms. Carmen Mendez-
Mackesy
Founder
Southern Blossoms
Ms. Alyce Roberson
Community Image Manager
Office of the County
Manager
Mr. Jeff Shimonski
Director of Horticulture
Parrot Jungle Island
16
Appendix
A Green Print for Our Future:
Miami -Dade County
Street Tree Master Plan
Appendix
A Green Print for Our Future:
Miami -Dade County
Street Tree Master Plan
A GREENPRINT FOR OUR FUTURE:
M!AMI DE
COUNTY
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
STREET TREE MASTER PLAN
DRAFT 1/30/07
A Greenprint for Our Future:
Miami -Dade County Street Tree Master Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Executive Summary ES-1
Introduction 1
Background 2
Mission 3
Goals 3
Urban Tree Challenges 4
Meeting the Goals of the MDC Street Tree Master Plan 6
How Can We Improve our Street Tree Practices? 6
Greenprint for our Future 10
Acknowledgements 11
Recommended Street Tree Species (Appendix A) A-1
Prohibited Tree Species (Appendix B) B-1
Tree Information Resources (Appendix C) C-1
Tree Working Group Tasks (Appendix D) D-1
A Greenprint for Our Future:
Miami -Dade County Street Tree Master Plan
Executive Summary
The urban forest is stressed in many cities around the country, but in Miami -Dade County our
urban trees are in critical condition. A number of factors have contributed to the diminished tree
cover in Miami -Dade, but the problem became even more significant after the tree destruction by
the 2005 hurricanes, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Hurricanes and windstorms do not account for the
entire deficit in tree cover. Further causes include development activities, increased impervious
areas, and the removal of trees due to citrus canker.
Adequate tree canopy is vital to the environmental
and economic well being of our community. Trees
save money on our electric bills by shading homes,
offices, and streets, resulting in a reduced need for
the use of air conditioning. Trees reduce storm
water runoff by intercepting rainfall through their
leaves and branches and releasing it slowly and
also actively removing water from the soil. National
studies indicate that trees increase property values
by 5-15 percent and make communities more
visually and environmentally appealing. Trees
improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and
particulate matter from the air. Trees shade
pavement and reduce air temperatures and the
urban heat island.
In addition to what we traditionally think of as the
benefits of trees, recent studies have also shown a
positive correlation between trees and social
benefits and quality of life indicators, including the
reduction of reports of physical violence in public
housing that had trees outside the buildings and
significantly better relations and stronger ties between neighbors (Kuo and Sullivan,
Illinois). Research also shows that consumers are willing to shop longer and spend more
areas that have trees because trees provide a "human habitat" (Wolf, University of Washington).
University of
in
retail
With all the known benefits of trees, why is our urban tree canopy in critical condition? There is not
a simple answer. A healthy urban forest has many challenges. Active attention is needed by
several segments of the community to reverse the decline. The Street Tree Master Plan focuses
on policies and practices that result in reduction to the tree canopy and then sets the course to
reverse the trend. The Plan establishes policy direction to begin management of Miami -Dade
County's urban tree resources as a necessary priority. The Plan calls attention to the green
infrastructure to address the concerns of trees along our streets and highways. The Plan
describes the procedures for planting and maintenance of street trees throughout Miami -Dade
County and encourages partnerships with municipalities for the countywide implementation of the
Plan for a greener, more livable community.
The mission of the Miami -Dade County Street Tree Master Plan is to provide the framework to
design and implement street tree plantings that complement the purpose and intent of the
ES-1
Landscape and Tree Ordinances and to be used as minimum standards in order to enhance the
County tree canopy to a minimum of 30 percent coverage, countywide by 2020.
Goals of the Street Tree Master Plan
• Plant quality trees in public rights of way
• Develop and execute a Tree Management Plan to craft sustainable tree structure
• Promote the design of urban spaces that adequately fit trees
• Encourage local growers to produce the quality and species for public rights -of -way
• Educate policy makers and the public on the importance of adequate tree canopy
• Promote the expansion of the overall canopy in Miami -Dade County to at least 30 percent
by 2020. This target reflects both the initiatives of the Street Tree Master Plan and other
canopy restoration efforts in Miami -Dade County to create a greener, more walkable, livable
community.
The Street Tree Master Plan will accomplish the "greenprint" goals by:
• establishing a street tree working
group
f. educating Miami -Dade citizens on
tree canopy issues
• promoting "right tree, right place"
• inventorying the condition of
Miami -Dade street trees
• researching historical habitat and
ecology
• developing guidelines for
maintenance of the green
infrastructure on par with the gray
infrastructure
Healthy street trees play an integral role in supporting the County's urban shade "canopy," which
contribute greatly to lower ambient air temperatures, increase aesthetic enjoyment, provide
economic improvement, improve the quality of life, and enhance the historic characteristics of our
community. A shady, tree -lined street is more walkable, especially in the summer months in South
Florida.
The Street Tree Master Plan is guided by an overall vision to restore and enhance the County's
tree canopy into a thriving urban forest that provides multiple aesthetic and environmental benefits.
The Miami -Dade County Street Tree Master Plan, the Miami -Dade County Landscape Manual, and
the proposed Best Management Practices are designed to support the vision by providing a
"greenprint" for the appropriate planning, implementation, and management of our existing and
planned tree resources.
ES-2
A Greenprint for Our Future
Introduction
The urban forest is stressed in many cities around the country, but in
Miami -Dade County our urban trees are in critical condition. A number of
factors have contributed to the diminished tree cover in Miami -Dade, but
the problem became even more significant after the tree destruction by the
2005 hurricanes, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Hurricanes and windstorms do
not account for the entire deficit in tree cover. Further causes include
development activities, increased impervious areas, and the removal of
trees due to citrus canker.
Adequate tree canopy is vital to the environmental and economic well being of our community. Trees
save money on our electric bills by shading homes, offices, and streets, resulting in a reduced need
for the use of air conditioning. Trees reduce storm water runoff by intercepting rainfall through their
leaves and branches and releasing it slowly and also actively removing water from the soil. National
studies indicate that trees increase property values by 5-15 percent and make communities more
visually and environmentally appealing. Trees improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and
particulate matter from the air. Trees shade pavement and reduce air temperatures.
In addition to what we traditionally think of as the benefits of
trees, recent studies have also shown a positive correlation
between trees and social benefits and quality of life indicators,
including the reduction of reports of physical violence and
significantly better relations and stronger ties between neighbors
in public housing that had trees outside the buildings (Kuo and
Sullivan, University of Illinois). Research also shows that
consumers are willing to shop longer and spend more in retail
areas that are have trees because trees provide a "human
habitat" (Wolf, University of Washington)
Additional tree benefits:
✓ Contribute to the processes of air purification, oxygen regeneration, and ground water
recharge.
✓ Aid in the abatement of noise, glare, heat, air pollution and dust generated by major
roadways and intense use areas.
✓ Protect and buffer the effects of high winds on structures, i.e. "wind break".
✓ Reduce local air temperatures and the urban heat island effect, where temperatures in
cities are higher than surrounding suburban and rural areas due to paved and dark
surfaces that absorb and store energy.
✓ Improve the aesthetic appearance of commercial, industrial, and residential development
and complement urban redevelopment by protecting and increasing property values
within the community.
✓ Promote physical and emotional well being by providing a connection with nature.
✓ Calm traffic when planted in traffic circles, bulb -outs and medians
✓ Make neighborhoods more livable.
Promote public health and well-being by improving the pedestrian environment by
providing shade and creating a setting conducive to walking and non -motorized
transportation.
✓ Establish community identity, character and linkages.
Tree Canopy in Miami -Dade County
Background
With all the positive benefits, one would assume that tree canopy would be a priority for Miami -Dade
County. A 1996 analysis by the non-profit organization American Forests, in partnership with Miami -
Dade County, determined that the tree canopy cover in unincorporated Miami -Dade County averaged
only about 10 percent with some municipalities showing as little as one to two percent tree coverage.
The average metropolitan area in the United States has a tree canopy of 33.4 percent. Optimal urban
canopy coverage is considered to be 40-45 percent. In addition, the existing canopy consists of a high
percentage of non-native invasive species and inferior quality trees, some of which threaten natural
areas or are hazards in windstorms. There is a disconnect between knowing that adequate tree canopy
is essential for the livability of our community and the a number of of the public policies that are currently
in place. It is important to note that seven municipalities have taken the lead with their tree policies and
earned Tree City USA recognition: Aventura, Coral Gables, Miami, Miami Gardens, Miami Springs, North
Miami, and North Miami Beach.
When gray infrastructure wins over green
Historically, the green infrastructure in our
community has taken a back seat to the
gray infrastructure (roads, buildings,
impervious surfaces). The increase in
frequency of hurricanes throughout Florida
in recent years has brought the issue of
public tree policies to the forefront. There
are many excellent resources for tree
education in South Florida; however the
consistent application of state -of -the art
urban tree planting and management
techniques Zags behind the science. We
know that not all trees are good trees for
South Florida. We also know that many
quality trees have been planted in the
wrong places and they have been pruned
improperly. After the storms of 2005, a
Tree Summit was held to discuss what led
to tree failures: not enough root space,
inferior quality trees, and improper
maintenance and pruning were the main
culprits. A Category 5 storm will bring massive tree destruction; however the damage from smaller
hurricanes can be reduced by implementing comprehensive tree health policies and thereby returning
the usability of roadways, much quicker after a storm. Bringing the policies to meet the science is
essential to mitigate damage from storms, but also to establish adequate tree coverage to enhance the
quality of life in Miami -Dade County.
The Street Tree Master Plan establishes policy direction to begin management of Miami -Dade County's
urban tree resources as a necessary priority. It manages the green infrastructure to address the
concerns of trees along our streets and highways and to provide a reference for urban street tree
resources. The Plan describes the procedures for planting and maintenance of street trees throughout
Miami -Dade County and encourages partnerships with municipalities for the countywide implementation
of the Plan for a greener, more livable community.
Healthy street trees play an integral role in supporting the County's urban shade "canopy," which:
contributes greatly to lower ambient air temperatures, increases aesthetic enjoyment, provides economic
2
improvement, improves quality of life, and enhances the historic characteristics of our community. A
shady, tree -lined street is more walkable, especially in the summer months in South Florida.
The Plan is guided by an overall vision to restore and enhance the County's tree canopy into a thriving
urban forest that provides multiple aesthetic and environmental benefits. The Miami -Dade County Street
Tree Master Plan, the Miami -Dade County Landscape Manual, and the proposed Best Management
Practices are designed to support the vision by providing a "greenprint" for the appropriate planning,
implementation, and management of our existing and planned tree resources. The Plan complements
the efforts of other County agencies to green our community. These efforts include the Open Space
Master Plan by the Park and Recreation Department and the Miami -Dade County Typical Section and
Zoned Right -of -Way Update Study funded by Metropolitan Planning Organization and coordinated by the
Planning and Zoning Department.
MISSION
The mission of the Miami -Dade County Street Tree Master Plan is to provide the framework to
design and implement street tree plantings that complement the purpose and intent of the
Landscape Ordinance and to be used as minimum standards in order to enhance the County tree
canopy to a minimum of 30 percent coverage, countywide by 2020.
Goals of the Street Tree Master Plan
• Plant quality trees in public rights of way
• Educate policy makers and the public on the importance of adequate tree canopy
• Promote the design of urban spaces that adequately fit trees
• Develop and execute a tree management plan to craft sustainable tree structure
• Encourage local growers to produce the quality and species for public rights -of -way
Promote the expansion of the overall canopy in Miami -Dade County to at least 30 percent by
2020. This target reflects both the initiatives of the Street Tree Master Plan and other canopy
restoration efforts in Miami -Dade County to make a more walkable, livable community.
3
Urban Tree Challenges
It Improper pruning, lack of maintenance: The lack of maintenance or
improper maintenance including pruning, fertilization, mulching, and
replacement of trees that have died, become a hazard, or are in a state of
decline. Topping and excessive pruning practices such as "hatracking" or
"lion -tailing" lead to mortality in urban trees. "Hat -racking" is illegal in Miami -
Dade County under the landscape and tree code. Contrary to popular belief,
"Hatracking" actually makes a tree more hazardous in high winds by
replacing strong limbs with weak ones that will break off in subsequent years.
Many trees are pruned by yard services and maintenance contractors
without the proper training or arborist certification. Misconceptions about
correct pruning methods and frequency of pruning have created a need for
educating both the public and landscaping businesses. The information is
available on the web (http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning), in books,
pamphlets produced by the Cooperative Extension office and the
International Society of Arboriculture, and at education programs but many
people do not avail themselves to this information.
Planting the wrong tree in the wrong place: Urban areas
frequently have limited space for roots and canopy due to power
lines and other utilities, signs, water requirements, poor or
sometimes excessive drainage, and paving. These conditions cause
the stress that is most often the cause of tree mortality in
commercial/industrial areas. Historically, fast-growing trees, trees
with an inexpensive purchase price that were Florida Grade #2 or
cull, which are inferior quality, also found their way into the public
rights -of -way. Some of these street trees are messy (black olive) or
have low wind tolerance (Ficus benjamina) which can erode public
support for street trees. Even quality trees and native species need
room and proper soil conditions to grow.
Hurricanes and other windstorms: As the frequency and
strength of hurricanes and windstorms have increased in Florida, the media and general public often focus on
tree failures. Taking a closer look, there are lessons to be learned from previous hurricanes. It is difficult to
educate the public on all the nuances of trees. The power outages, tree damage, and the time and costs of
clean-up have many South Florida residents leery of trees. In fact, certain species of well -placed trees can
actually serve as a wind block and
protect property. Inferior quality trees,
trees with overly dense canopies,
trees that have been "hatracked"
(hatracking is a big cause of overly
dense canopy), can split or lose large
limbs during strong winds. Prevention
efforts such as species selection can
impact the survivability of a tree.
Furthermore, brittle or shallow rooted
trees can blow over at low wind
speeds. Trees that are professionally
pruned fall less than unpruned trees.
Increased reports of illegal tree
removal or "hatracking" often follow
storm events where tree "experts"
damage the tree for future storms.
Bad Practice:
Hatracked Tree
Shallow roots, too small space
Invasive exotic tree, too close to
building and power lines
4
• Traffic Setbacks and Liability Concerns: Often the setback
requirements in the public rights -of -way are so restrictive that trees cannot
be planted and limits the selection of tree species. Miami -Dade County is
taking a hard look at sight distance triangles, traffic speed, pedestrian
safety and other issues that may enhance opportunities for tree placement.
• Poor Planting: Improper planting, rough handling, girdling from staking,
tree grates, and weed -eaters as well as planting poor quality trees are
other reasons for high mortality of urban trees.
• Lack of water and post planting care: Recently planted trees as
well as older trees under drought stress need to be watered to prevent decline.
• Root defects on nursery stock: Roots that circle, girdle, kink, and
other root defects in nursery stock doom a tree before it goes into the
ground.
Defective Roots:
Circling
Bad Practice:
Tree Grate Girdling Tree
JF Chemicals: Misuse of lawn treatment chemicals, herbicides and other
chemicals that leach into the root zone or are absorbed through the
bark, can adversely impact tree root systems, causing defoliation or
general decline and death.
• Inferior soil: Extensive areas of compacted fill or road base soils and
utility construction often are unsuitable for healthy root system growth
and development. Likewise amending the soil solely around the root ball
may lead to circling roots rather than encouraging the roots to reach further out to establish a stable root
system.
• Construction Damage: Mechanical damage from construction equipment, crushing of near surface roots
from heavy machinery and practices such as trenching through roots and paving over the root zone will
cause decline and often mortality in urban trees.
• Bark Damage: Young as well as old trees often fall victim to being girdled by lawnmowers and string
trimmers. Tree straps and stakes not removed in a timely basis and car bumpers can damage the bark.
• Vandalism: Vandalism such as graffiti painting, damaging the bark by carving, nailing, stapling, and other
physical abuses.
• Confusing regulatory and maintenance environment and inconsistent tree policies between
departments and outside agencies: There are a number of tree planting and protection measures in
place within the county and municipalities. How the regulations interface can be complicated to laypersons
not familiar with tree species and tree science. The regulatory environment varies depending on location. In
addition, who does tree planting and maintenance activities along a given roadway depends often on the size
of the roadway and whether the governmental agencies have maintenance agreements in place with other
agencies.
• Air pollution: Air pollution can affect trees by damaging foliage and impairing processes such as
photosynthesis, thus impacting a tree's health and making it more susceptible to insect damage and disease.
• Invasive, non-native species: Invasive, non-native species cause
environmental damage by invading native plant communities and disrupting natural
processes. Many landscape plants are not a problem for our natural resources.
However, a few are so invasive that they have completely overrun natural forests and
crowded out rare and unique plants found nowhere else in the world. It is costly to
the County to protect our natural areas from these invasive pest plants. Residents
and businesses can help by avoiding plants that are known to be invasive.
Prohibited plant species are listed in the November 1999 Comprehensive
Development Master Plan (CDMP), as amended which are demonstrably detrimental
to native plants, native wildlife, ecosystems, or human health, safety, and welfare.
5
Invasive Exotic
Melaleuca Tree
Meeting the Goals of the Miami -Dade County Street Tree Master Plan
The Street Tree Master Plan was developed by an ad -hoc working group. It is recommended that a permanent
street tree working group be established as a committee of the Community Image Advisory Board (CIAB) with
representation from the Office of Community Image, the Department of Environmental Resources Management
(DERM), Public Works Department, Planning and Zoning, Consumer Services (Cooperative Extension), Office of
Strategic Business Management, Park and Recreation, Team Metro, Office of Emergency Management (OEM),
and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the seven municipalities who have achieved "Tree City USA"
designation, with Florida Power and Light (FPL) and local
nursery growers. This street tree working group will be
responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and
maintenance activities described in the Master Plan.
Maintenance of existing and newly planted street trees
are essential activities that protect State, County, and
municipal investments and lessen the cost of liability,
while ensuring that the street tree population thrives and
achieves desired aesthetic and environmental functions.
However, like most maintenance activities, an on -going
commitment of resources is needed to maintain the green
infrastructure. Preventative pruning for windstorm
resistance, structural pruning, and tree fertilization extend
the life expectancy of street tree investments.
How can we improve our street tree practices?
Planning
■ Provide a baseline study to determine the current state of the urban tree canopy and update the
information as trees are planted and removed with a canopy analysis every 10 years to measure progress
towards the canopy goal and place utilities away from trees.
• Inventory Conditions of Miami -Dade Street Trees. The
Public Works Department will expand the County's present
inventory of street tree plantings from 1992-2006 to
include information such as "treatment required" (removal,
structural pruning, raising, reduction, cleaning, fertilizing,
sidewalk repair, estimate of time required for this
treatment), size, date planted, species and
condition/structure of trees, empty spaces where trees can
be planted, size of space. This database will continue to
be refined and updated with the use of GIS tools and shall
incorporate all existing street trees. In the future, it is
envisioned that the GIS database will be able to assist
planners in expanding the biodiversity of the urban forest
in planning design activities.
• Expand the Role of the County Landscape Committee. The County Landscape Committee is appointed by
the County Manager and currently reviews right-of-way plantings on County maintained roadways and
coordinates the Joint Participation Agreements with the Florida Department of Transportation. It is
recommended that the Manager expand the role of the County Landscape Committee to oversee the status
of the urban tree canopy and provide a forum for departmental input in the implementation of the Street
Tree Master Plan. As mentioned earlier, multiple departments are involved in street tree issues within
Miami -Dade County. The Landscape Committee will coordinate cross departmental activities and work
with BCC members to identify areas of critical concern for lack of tree canopy.
6
■ Coordinate and expand on the success of the Adopt -a -Tree Program goals:
✓ Reforest Miami -Dade County
✓ Educate the public on the significance of urban tree canopy in flood protection, erosion control,
energy use, air quality, community aesthetics, and a cost benefit analysis.
✓ Teach the public how to properly plant and care for trees, especially when pruning.
✓ Coordinate with Miami -Dade County
municipalities to implement program
activities within their municipal
boundaries.
✓ Implement a multilingual educational
component addressing appropriate
placement, planting procedure and
Tong -term maintenance of the restored
canopy.
✓ Utilize plant material from local
nurseries whenever possible so that it is
locally adapted.
✓ Improve the locally available tree stock
by teaching the nurseries to grow high -
quality new species.
✓ Reinforce and expand upon
partnerships with local environmental,
educational, and community groups.
✓ Seek additional matching funds and sponsorships to expand program efforts.
✓ Limit the administrative costs associated with the program.
▪ Miami -Dade County will encourage dialogue and involvement of residents, municipalities, home owners
associations, property owners, as well as coordination between all parties involved in street tree design and
management.
• Coordinate activities with the Community Image Advisory Board to enhance landscaping on selected
corridors and entryways in Miami -Dade County.
■ Link urban and suburban environments with parks and natural areas. Identify and support a network of
connectivity, through street planting, that complements greenway and blueway (paddling trail for non -
motorized watercraft e.g. canoe or kayak) planning and implementation.
• Use street trees as a traffic calming device to support safe sidewalks and street crossings for school
children and pedestrians in general.
• Encourage urban planning efforts to include the design of pedestrian friendly environments. Encourage
provisions of wide sidewalks with sufficient space for trees where appropriate, in public design projects.
Design the soil space under and adjacent to the hardscape to sustain root growth — good trees well
connected to the ground only develop if the roots have room to grow.
• Work with study group for the Miami -Dade County Typical Section and Zoned Right -of -Way Update Study.
• Map and prioritize removal of hazardous street trees and replant where appropriate and develop a program
for the selective replacement of undesirable species that may be brittle, invasive or not appropriate for
rights -of -way plantings due to fruit drop or invasive roots. Tree replacement would focus on Tess
problematic species listed in the Street Tree Master Plan.
• Prevent the destruction of the community's existing street tree canopy and specimen sized -trees and
protect designated historic landscapes and tree resources.
■ Emphasize the use of hardwood shade trees for canopy restoration while using palms as accent plants in
public plantings. While palms are aesthetically pleasing and look "tropical," they do not provide the same
environmental benefits, walkable streets, or lower ambient temperatures as hardwood shade trees.
Planting
• Plantings will be coordinated with other departments and agencies such as Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT), utility companies; the Miami -Dade Public Works and Water and Sewer (WASD)
Departments, and municipalities in order to avoid project
conflicts with tree installations.
• Identify and plant in areas that have low canopy coverage.
Encourage planting on private property in the form of
setback plantings, which contribute to the streetscape.
• Develop a cost -share program whereby a resident can
select and purchase trees and have the County or a
designated private contractor buy, plant, and stake the trees
for the resident on the public right-of-way. As a part of this
program, the resident would agree to assume the
maintenance responsibility for the trees.
• Improve the street tree inventory by planting trees that are
wind tolerant species in the public right-of-way and protect existing inventory by proper maintenance
trimming. By improving the survivability of street trees during wind storms, the public investment is
protected but also will reduce road debris and hasten power restoration after a storm event.
• Provide a list of recommended street trees (See Appendix A) to give guidance to citizens and governmental
agencies regarding which tree species survive better in harsh conditions for street trees, especially in swale
areas. Median trees may offer more flexibility of species depending on the size of the planting area.
• Plant street trees that minimally meet Florida Grades and Standards Grade #1 standards (Chapter 18A-6
(k) of the Code of Miami -Dade County, Florida) and execute a pruning program to encourage structural
pruning to develop sustainable structure Tess sensitive to wind damage.
• Increase biodiversity through the appropriate use of native tree species in the landscape.
• Coordinate the tree planting, permitting, removal and enforcement of all municipalities and County
agencies and promote countywide cooperation in the restoration of canopy within Miami -Dade County.
Pruning
• Institute a structural pruning program on a 3-year pruning cycle to maintain
the existing inventory as well as new plantings to ensure long-term
sustainability. Trees that had been over lifted, lions tailed, shaped, and/or
lacked structural pruning were the cases of many tree failures during the
2005 hurricanes.
• Explore the creation of a training and regulatory program for tree pruning
operations.
Bad Practice:
Lions tailing, shaping
Education and Growth
• Educate the public, local decision -makers and agency staff on the
importance of the urban tree canopy and tree canopy
enhancement education in the schools.
• Establish stewardship of the existing legacy of mature trees and
effective planning for future planting and maintenance needs.
• Promote the use of trees for energy conservation by encouraging
cooling through the provision of shade and the channeling of breezes, thereby helping to offset global
8
warming and local heat island effects through the added absorption of carbon dioxide and reduction of heat
islands.
• Emphasize the use of native trees in place of invasive or non-native
species to reduce the negative impacts of these species to native
plant communities. Encourage local growers to produce the trees the
species and quality for public plantings.
• Promote the concept of building sites to sustain the right tree,
planting the right tree or plant in the right place to avoid damage to
infrastructure such as clogged sewers, cracked sidewalks, and
power service interruptions.
• Establish seed or vegetative sources for contract growing of rare and
endangered species and use native species listed as "threatened" or
"endangered" where feasible and appropriate.
▪ Encourage re-establishment, restoration, and replanting of historic ecological community associates and
geographic conditions with the original native species (hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands etc.) where
feasible or appropriate for current conditions.
▪ Research Historical Habitat and Ecology. Research of historical conditions should be accomplished by
using appropriate maps, surveys, and accounts to document what vegetation originally existed in sites to
be planted. The historical physical conditions of the site (including geomorphology, topography, soils,
hydrology, and vegetation) should be researched to compare historical and current conditions in order to
determine whether restoration/re-creation of historic plant communities is appropriate. In many cases,
existing conditions may not support historical plant species due to alterations of soil and hydrolological
conditions during construction of the right-of-way, however, in other cases, plant species that existed in
certain geographic areas fare better when planted in the same geographical area. An example would be
coastal species that thrive with high salinity conditions or mahogany trees, while natives do better and are
less brittle in far south Miami -Dade County. Bringing back native species into their historical conditions can
also save time and money in maintenance activities.
• Develop Guidelines for Rare, Threatened or Endangered Tree Species. After determining the historical
conditions of a given site and opportunities, constraints for restoration, locations and sources of
seeds/vegetative material need to be identified within the historical growth range of the species.
Propagation material should be collected without damaging the existing seed/vegetative material on site.
All permits and permissions should be secured and locations and seed sources kept separate and
documented. Propagation and experimental growth methodologies need to be developed for many of
these species. Because many of these species are difficult to grow, contract growing should begin upon
completion of the preceding tasks.
▪ Explore "Tree City USA" designation for Miami -Dade County
from the National Arbor Day Foundation. To qualify, the
County must meet four standards: pass an Arbor Day
Observance proclamation, enforce tree protection
ordinances, appoint a tree committee, and contribute $2.00
per capita of its annual revenue to tree care and planting.
The feasibility of countywide implementation or
implementation in the Unincorporated Municipal Service
Area (UMSA) would be explored by the County Working
Group. Currently the municipalities of Aventura, Coral
Gables, Miami, Miami Gardens, Miami Springs, North Miami,
and North Miami Beach are designated Tree City USA cities.
• Explore establishment of a Green Utility. One possible funding source for the greening of Miami -Dade
County is to establish a green utility fee. The Florida Legislature (FL Statutes, 259.035) authorized local
governments with populations exceeding 500,000 to collect fees through a voluntary check -off on a utility
bill to be determined for the purpose of planting and maintaining the public trees, management of public
natural areas, and to fund other tree related programs.
9
Greenprint for our Future
The successful implementation of the Street Tree Master Plan and compliance with the Landscape Ordinance
require the involvement of residents, business owners, government officials, construction contractors, engineers,
developers, landscape architects, landscape maintenance companies and employees, neighborhood associations,
community planners, and tree care service contractors and employees - in other words, all of us.
Miami -Dade County is developing a Miami -Dade County Guide to Tree Planting and Maintenance in the Public
Right -of -Way to provide citizens with detailed information about the selection, placement, planting, and care of our
tree resources. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of trees in South Florida is key to restoring and
maintaining a healthy, livable, walkable community.
During the development of this Plan, many positive changes have already occurred through the identification of bad
tree practices and the communication between organizations with similar goals. We have a long way to go. Many
current practices in the community at -large are bad for trees and the development of adequate canopy. The wrong
trees have been planted in the wrong places. Trees have been hatracked, lion tailed, shaped into topiaries,
weakening the tree structure and creating possible hazards. After the 2005 hurricanes, media reports of tree
damage to homes and property fueled the myth that trees are a hazard in storms, when in fact; the right tree in the
right location can serve as a wind break and lessen structural damage to buildings by taking the brunt of the wind
force. Retailers have removed trees so their signs can be seen better, but ignoring data on improved retail sales in
canopied areas. In some cases, we plant trees and then don't adequately fund the on -going maintenance.
There is a bounty of tree information on the web, in books, seminars, and through government programs such as
Adopt -a -Tree. However, in addition to existing programs, a coordinated education and outreach campaign is
needed to make sure that the information interpreted for the climate and conditions of South Florida and it is in the
hands of those who need it. We need to dispel tree myths in Miami -Dade County and have public policies that
match the science. It's the Greenprint for Our Future.
10
Acknowledgements
The Street Tree Master Plan is dedicated in memory of
JOSE R. BACALLAO
whose persistence and guidance motivated County staff during its
early development.
This document has been a collaborative work by the Community Image
Advisory Board (CIAB) and its member agencies, the Department of
Environmental Resources Management (DERM), Public Works
Department, Planning and Zoning, Consumer Services (Cooperative
Extension), Office of Strategic Business Management, Park and
Recreation, Team Metro, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization and
the Office of the County Manager, coordinating with Fairchild Tropical
Gardens and the Cities of Miami and Miami Beach, Grove Tree Man
Trust, Treemendous Miami, and the Tropical Flowering Tree Society.
Special thanks go to Dr. Edward Gilman, Professor, Environmental
Horticulture Department, University of Florida and Georgia Tasker, Miami
Herald.
11
Recommended Street Tree Species*
Appendix A- 1
Allspice
Pimenta dioica
15' - 30'
Medium
Shade
Slow
N/A
Leaves are leathery, aromatic and quite attractive.
Has whitish gray bark peels in thin sheets. The
leaves and fruit smell like a combination of cloves,
black pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon, hence the
common name. Small white flowers. Wind tolerant.
Bahama Lysiloma
Lysiloma sabicu
20' - 30'
Medium
Shade
Slow
N/A
Slow growing shade tree with small leaves and red -
dish new growth. Can be invasive, so do not plant
next to a natural area
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
30' - 60'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
eThrivs in wet swinterites. Native deciduous tree. Loses
all its leaves in . VVind tolerant.
Bitterbush
Picramnia pentandra
12' - 18'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Black Ironwood
Krugiodendron ferreum
20' - 30'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Wind tolerant.
Black torch
Erithalis fruticosa
10' - 20'
Small
Native
Fast
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Blolly
Guapira discolor
25' - 35'
Medium
Native
Moderate
N/A
Hardy shade tree. Needs minimal care. Very salt
tolerant.
Allspice
Pimenta dioica
Black torch
Erithalis fiuticasa
Black ironwood
Krugiodendron !err=
Bald cypress
Taxodium distichurn
Blolly
Guapira discolor
Bitterbush
Pia-aninia pentandra
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 2
`^�.. "-
Lt+'i' H S"
,, ;o
�
�,
�' T
Ts
Brown Ebony
Caesalpinia punctata
20' - 30'
Medium
Flowering
Moderate
Summer
Beautiful, wide spreading tree up to
about 15 m tall (50 ft) and 23 m spread
(75 ft); yellowish to tan -colored trunk,
dividing into several large branches low
on stem; flowers small and light yellow.
Ornamental specimen tree.
Colville's Glory
Colvillea racemosa
40' - 50'
Large
Flowering
Moderate
Fall
(November)
Clusters of vivid scarlet and orange
flowers. Like a late season flamboyant.
Copperpod
Peltophorum pterocarpum
40' - 50'
Large
Flowering
Fast
Spring/
Summer
Fast-growing evergreen tree. Produces
fragrant, showy yellow flowers in the
spring and summer. Seedpods turn to
an attractive wine -brown color. Subject
to wind damage. Needs space to de-
velop adequate root system to reduce
the likelihood of toppling
Crape Myrtle
Lagerstromeia indica
15' - 20'
Small
Flowering
Moderate
Summer
(May-
September)
Lavender or white flowers. Can be
planted adjacent to power lines
Dahoon Holly
Ilex cassine
20' - 40'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Wet areas; wind tolerant
Brown ebony
Caesalpinia puncrata
Colville's glory
Colvillea racemosa
Copperpod
Peltophomurn pterocarpum
Dahoon holly
Iles cassine
Crape myrtle
Lage:stromia indica
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 3
�y �`
/ii} '• m
il'#e"r
'x <i
p V E
sl n
Desert Senna
Senna polyphylla
10'- 15'
Small
Flowering
Slow
Fall
Slow growing evergreen tree with a spread-
ing, cascading crown with tiny leaves. Pro-
duces yellow flowers throughout Fall to
Spring. Larval plant for Sulfur butterfly. Can
be planted under power lines, but planting
as a standard can result in a snapped main
stem.
Florida Privet
Forestiera segregate
10'- 15'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Drought tolerant; OK under power lines
Geiger Tree
Cordia sebestena
20' - 25'
Small
Flowering
Native
Moderate
Year-round
Moderate -growing with a dense rounded
evergreen canopy. Flowers appear through -
out the year with small edible white pear-
shaped fruit. Salt and wind tolerant.
Green Buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus
30' - 50'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Salt and Wind Tolerant
Guinea plum
Drypetes laterifo/ia
20' - 30'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Gumbo limbo
Bursera simaruba
40' - 50'
Large
Native
Fast
N/A
Does not have showy flowers, but it is affec-
tionately called the tourist tree because of its
shiny red and peeling bark. Wind tolerant.
Inkwood
Exothea paniculata
25' - 35'
Me
dium
Native
Moderate
Summer
Slender dense crown with glossy leaves and
tiny fragrant blooms in spring and early sum-
mer. Produces red berries that ripen to
deep purple. Native
Desert senna
Serena polyphylla
Green buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus
Geiger tree
Cordia sebestana
Guinea plum
Drypetes laterifolia
Gumbo limbo
Bursera simaruba
Inkwood
Erothea paniculata
Recommended Street Tree Species
Appendix A- 4
Ctt
Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia
40' - 50'
Large
Flowering
Fast
Fall and Win-
ter (if cool
enough)
Needs space to develop adequate root
system to reduce the likelihood of top -
piing. Does not flower well in South Flor-
ida.
Jamaica Rain
Brya ebenus
15' -30'-
Small
Flowering
Slow
Spring and
Summer
Blooms spring, summer and in times of
high humidity. Tolerates heat and salt
but may drop leaves when dry
Excellent street tree selection.
Japanese Fern
Filicium decipiens
20'- 30'
Medium
Shade
Moderate
N/A
Broad canopy. Decorative leaves.
Krug's Holly
Ilex krugiana
25' - 30'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Attractive red berries in winter.
Lancepod
Lonchocarpus violaceous
30' - 35'
Medium
Flowering
Fast
Late Sum-
mer/Fall
Evergreen with a fast-growing, dense
canopy. Produces fragrant, lavender,
showy flowers during the late summer/
fall. Produces long, slender, seed pods.
Plant at least 30 feet from power lines
and 16-22 feet from your house. Full
sun.
Lancewood
Nectandra coriacea
25' - 35'
Medium
Native
Moderate
N/A
Aromatic leaves and small clustering
white flowers. Attract bees. Wind toler-
ant.
Lancewood
Nectandra coriacea
Lancepod
Lochocarpus violaceous
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 5
-, S 3 h`Y
Lignum Vitae
Guaiacum sanctum
10' - 30'
Small
Flowering
Native
Very Slow
Year-round
_ Purple blooms several times per year.
Slow -growing but Tong -lived, it is adaptable
to dry rocky areas in full sun to light shade
Can be planted adjacent to Power Lines.
Rare, expensive, but worth it in small
spaces.
Limber Capper
Capparis flexuosa
15' - 20'
Small
Flowering
Native
Moderate
Late Spring/
Summer
Pink and white flowers. Can be planted in
partial sun adjacent to power lines.
Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
40' - 50'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Wind tolerant.
Madagascar Olive
Noronhia emarginata
20' - 30'
Small
Shade
Moderate
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Mahogany
Swietenia mahagoni
35' - 60'
Large
Native
Fast
N/A
Low wind tolerance; needs space to de -
velop adequate root system to reduce the
likelihood of toppling; brittle in Central and
North Dade
Mast Tree
Polyalthia /ongifolia
10' - 25'
Small
Shade
Slow
N/A
Narrow canopy tree with attractive foliage.
Good for screening.
Mexican Cassia
Caesalpinia mexicana
20' - 25'
Small
Flowering
Moderate
Summer
(May-
September)
Fragrant, golden flowers. Needs full sun.
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Lignum vitae
Guaidum sanctum
Mahogany
Sweitenia mahogoni
Limber caper
Capparis f eauasa
Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
Madagascar olive
Noronhia ernarginata
Mexican cassia Mast tree
Caesalpinia mexicana Polyalthia longifolia
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 6
�J•3
c 1r' M L r s.+ ''r'.XrL., ,X k"tW�i21
4 r. r
]
$X „
�� .�
.�
I�nts
� Fk
Myrsine
Myrsine guianensis
15' - 25'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Paradise Tree
Simarouba glauca
35' - 50'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Attractive reddish color on new foliage.
Fast growing native. Female plant bears
black berries that attract birds.
Pigeon Plum
Coccoloba diversifolia
25' - 30'
Small
Native
Moderate
Spring
Moderate -growing with a dense, columnar
canopy producing small white flowers in
the spring. Attractive bark. Native. Fruits
ripen in late summer/fall and attract birds.
Female plant bears fruit; weevils if near
sea grape.
Podocarpus
Podocarpus sp.
30' - 50'
Large
Shade
Moderate
N/A
Evergreen conifer. Red "berries" attract
birds. Wind tolerant.
Queen's Crepe
Myrtle
Lagerstroemia speciosa
30'45'
Large
Flowering
Moderate
Summer
Moderate -growing with leaves that turn
red before falling in the winter. It has large
showy pink or purplish flowers during the
summer. Drops leaves when during cold
spells.
Red Bay
Persea borbonia
50' - 60'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Large native evergreen tree. Moderate
growing. Thrives in wet areas. Wind toler-
ant.
Myrsine
Myrxineguianensis
Paradise tree
Simarouba glauca
Pigeon plurn
Coccoloba diversifolia
Podocarpus
Podocarpus sp.
Red bay
Persea borbonia
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 7
y+
�
Red stopper
Eugenia rhombea
15' - 20'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power Tines.
Redberry stopper
Eugenia confusa
15' - 20'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Rough Strong Bark
Bourreria ovata
15' - 20'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Saffron Plum
Bumelia celastrinum
20' - 25'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Satinleaf
Chrysophyllum oliviforme
20' - 30'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Wet and/or Shady areas wind tolerant.
Sea Grape
Coccoloba uvifera
15' - 35'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Salt tolerant/ needs to have multiple
trunks for stability
Shortleaf Fig
Ficus citrifolia
40' - 50'
Large
Native
Fast
N/A
Large, fast growing native. Fruit attrac-
tive to birds.
Red stopper
Eugenia rhombea
Sea grape
Coccoloba uvifera
Redberry stopper
Eugenia confusa
Rough strongbark
Bourrenra ovata
Satinleaf
Chrysophyllum oliviforme
Shordeaf fig
Ficus citifolra
Saffon plum
Bumelia celastrinum
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 8
.� ,} ed,; !'
¢ ,,y #y%. ,.+'% " L
#rL' 3 .
N
1 {.. fgi•,"-R
?
y`y}*
,^ r .+ �. , n
is
q£, ` r
Silver Buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus
10' - 25'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Small native evergreen tree. Moderate
growing. Salt Tolerant. Can be planted
adjacent to power lines.
Simpson Stopper
Myricanthes fragrans
20'- 30'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Hardy native; can be planted adjacent to
power lines
Soapberry
Sapindus saponaria
20' - 30'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Seeds are poisonous.
Spanish Stopper
Eugenia foetida
15' - 20'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Small native evergreen tree. Moderate
columnar growth; small leaves in tight
formation; wildly fragrant flowers; good
salt -tolerance. Can be planted adjacent
to power lines.
Spicewood
Callyptranthes pallens
10' - 15'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Can be planted adjacent to power lines.
Sugarberry
Celtis /aevigata
40' - 60'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Rated only to zone 10
Torchwood
Amyris elemifera
10' - 15'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Spicewood
Callyptranthes palleris
Soapberry
Sapindus saponaria
Torchwood
Amyris elemifera
Recommended Street Tree Species *
Appendix A- 9
,t,:- ,-,it,7.,
.,-• - t,-,„: ,r4.,-,,,Y,',,- 'v-I.J."3,a
--:t-,- ,.,....,..-t:,,,t4--_,._
,
jt,..1' . _ ,t,..
, .,,, ,,,,,,,- -
'''--:PP..., ,-,--,„ -,---:. , v. ..
Vera wood
Bulneisa arborea
20'- 30
Large
Flowering
Moderate
Summer
Large flowering tree (yellow). Tall, slow
growing with bright yellow flowers and
shiny deep -green compound leaves.
This tree is adapted to dry conditions
and has very hard wood and flowers
throughout the year. Needs space to
develop adequate root system to reduce
the likelihood of toppling.
Wax myrtle
Myrica cerifera
15' - 25'
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines. Susceptible to lac scale
West Indian Cherry
Prunus myrtifolia
30' - 40'
Large
Native
Fast
November -
Profuse clusters of tiny fragrant white
flowers with yellow centers. Fruit attrac-
tive to birds. Leaves aromatic.
White Cordia
Cordia boissieri
15' - 20'
Small
Flowering
Moderate
Year-round
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
White Mangrove
Laguncularia racemosa
15' - 20'
Large
Native
Moderate
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Vera wood
Bulnesia arborea
Wax myrtle
Myrica cerifera
West Indian cherry
Prunus myrufolia
White mangrove
Laguncularia racemosa
White cordia
Cordia boissieri
Recommended Street Tree Species*
Appendix A- 10
' d3�, , : 1
kk� +%. 1 �i`ov`"r �.:�t �iv��
y u✓;
f
y�i^'�� v
��� FAy�t'�� '�, "i���'t�-
S Ys 5 iF
�
White stopper
Eugenia axillaries
15' - 25
Small
Native
Moderate
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Wild Dilly
Manilkara bahamensis
15' - 20'
Small
Native
Slow
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Wild Tamarind
Lysiloma Iatisiliqua
40' - 50'
Large
Native
Fast
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Willow Bustic
Dipholis salicifolium
20' - 30'
Medium
Native
Moderate
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Winged Sumac
Rhus copallina
15' - 20'
Small
Native
Fast
N/A
Salt tolerant. Can be planted adjacent to
power lines.
Ylang-Ylang
(dwarf)
Canaga fruiticosa
10'- 15'
Small
Flowering/
Shade
Slow
Spring and
Summer
Slow growing. This plant is attractive to
bees, butterflies and/or birds. flowers
are fragrant. Suitable for growing in con-
tainers.
Eugenia arillaries
Willow bustic
Dipholis salic�ifolirm�
Wild dilly
Manilkara bahamensis
Winged sumac
Rhus copallina
Wild tamarind
Lysiloma latisrliqua
Ylang-Ylang
Cananga fnrticasa
Appendix B-1
Prohibited Tree Species
Trees that are prohibited to be planted, sold or propagated in Miami -Dade County:
Common Name:
Australian Pine
Banyon Fig
Brazilian Pepper
Bishopwood
Ca rrotwood
Castorbean
Catclaw Mimosa
Earleaf Acacia
Governor's Plum
Indian Dalbergia (sissoo)
Laurel Fig
Lead Tree
Lofty Fig Tree
Mahoe
Melaleuca (cajeput or paperbark tree)
Red Sandalwood
Seaside Mahoe
Queensland Umbrella Tree
Woman's Tongue
Botanical Name:
Casuarina spp.
Ficus bengalensis
Schinus terebinthifolius
Bischofia javanica
Cupaniopsis anacardioides
Ricinus communis
Mimosa pigra
Acacia auriculaeformis
Flacourtia indica
Dalbergia sissoo
Ficus microcarpa
Ficus nitida
F. retusa var. vamitida
Leucaena leucocephala
Ficus altissima
Hibiscus tiliaceus
Melaleuca quinquenervia
Adenanthera pavonina
Thespesia populnea
Schefflera actinophylla
Albizia lebbek
Appendix C-1
Tree Information Resources
E-Government Link www.miamidade.gov
DERM Tree removal and planting permits information and application information
www.miamidade.gov/derm/Ecosystems/permits tree removal.asp
Adopt -A -Tree Program
www.miamidade.dov/derm/adoptatree
Cooperative Extension Service
www.miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu
Team Metro office information
www.miamidade.gov/teametro
Landscape Ordinance
www.miamidade.dov/planzone
Dig in Dade
A stand-alone citizen forestry manual for property owners and residents on topics ranging from the benefits of
urban trees, selecting the right tree for the right place, proper planting and care for urban trees, and contact
information for community tree resources. This booklet is updated regularly and can be added to the digital
library and provided to new home buyers.
Miami -Dade Directory of Tree Organizations and Information Sources
Government Resources
Miami -Dade Dept. of Environmental Resources Management 305-372-6789
www. miamidade.gov/derm
Miami -Dade Urban Tree Program 305-372-6574
Miami -Dade Adopt -A -Tree Community Forestry Project
www.miamidade.ciov/adoptatree
Miami -Dade Parks & Recreation Department
www.miamidade.dov/parks
Miami -Dade Planning and Zoning Department
www.miamidade.dov/planzone
Miami -Dade Public Works Right -of -Way Aesthetics Management
www.miamidade.dov/pubworks
University of Florida/Miami-Dade County Extension
Plant advice for individuals & homeowners
Advice for professional landscapers & condominium associations
www.ifas_ufl.edu
305-372-6555
305-755-7800
786-315-2650
305-375-1925
305-248-3311
ext. 228
ext. 231
Florida Yards and Neighbors Program 305-248-3311 ext. 246
www.ifas.ufl.edu/prodrams/fvn_htm
Municipal tree contacts
Aventura
www.cityotaventura.com
Uses Miami -Dade Public Works Department guideline.
Bal Harbour Village
www.balharbourqov.com
Appendix C-2
Community Services
Public Works Division
19200 West Country Club Drive
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 466-8931
City decides species.
Beautification Committee
655 - 96th Street
Bal Harbour, FL 33154
(305) 866-4633; FAX: 868-6575
No regulations but approval by Landscape Architect and Beautification Committee is needed
Bay Harbor Islands
www. bavha rborislands.orq
Swales are asphalted but any other trees get internal plan approval
Biscayne Park, Village of
http://bphomeowners.com/news.htm
Public Works Department
966 Bay Harbor Terrace
Bay Harbor, FL 33154
(305) 866-6241; FAX: 866-4863
Public Works Department
893 NE 109 Street
Miami, FL 33161
(305) 893-4346; FAX: 893-4345
Coral Gables Building & Zoning Director
www.citybeautiful.net/index.html City Hall
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 460-5235; FAX: 460-5261
Plans must be taken through landscape committee and maintenance covenant required
Doral
www.doral.ccinews.htm
Miami -Dade County Public Works Department handles all permits
El Portal
www.villageofelportal.com
No regulations for swale planting
Florida City
www.floridacityfl.us
Golden Beach
www.qoldenbeach.us/index.html
Public Works Department
8300 NW 53 St., Ste. 100
Doral, FL 33166
(305) 593-6725
Village Clerk
500 NE 87 Street
El Portal, FL 33138
(305) 795-7880
404 W Palm Drive, 2nd Floor
Florida City, FL 33034
(305) 247-8221
Town Manager or
Building & Zoning Director
One Golden Beach Drive
Golden Beach, FL 33160
(305) 932-0744; FAX: 933-3825
Hialeah Gardens
www.cityofhialeahgardens_orq
Hialeah
www.ci.hialeah.fl.us
Homestead
www.citvofhomestead.com
Doesn't allow planting on ROW - only City plantings
Indian Creek Village
Doesn't allow ROW plantings
Islandia
No Rights of way
Key Biscayne, Village of
www.vkb.kevbiscavne.fl.us
Street trees are planned by species and approved by PWD director
Medley
www.townofmedlev.com/
Appendix C-3
Public Works Director
10001 NW 87 Avenue
Hialeah Gardens, FL33016
(305) 558-4114; FAX: 819-5315
Director of Streets Division
5601 E. 8th Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33013
(305) 687-2611; FAX: 687-2632
Public Works Dept.
790 N. Homestead Blvd.
Homestead, FL 33030
(305) 224-4842
City Manager
9080 Bay Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33154
(305) 865-4121; FAX: 865-2502
Public Works Director
88 W. Macintyre
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 365-8945; FAX: 365-5556
Public Works Department
7331 NW 74 Street
Medley, FL 33166
(305) 889-1915
Miami Public Works Department
www.ci.miami.fl.us 444 SW 2 Avenue, 3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 416-1050
Written application process with an approved species list, no covenant
Miami Beach
www. miami beachfl. qov
Application required and approval from parks and PWD.
Miami Gardens
www. miamigardens-fl.gov
Parks Director
2100 Meridian Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-7720
Have master plan with species specific by street
Code Enforcement
1515 NW 167 Street
Building 5, Suite 200
Miami Gardens, FL 33169
(305) 622-8020
Miami Lakes
www.townofmiamilakes.com
Replaces tree upon resident request with Live Oak
Miami Shores Village
www.miamishoresvillaqe.com
Does not allow planting by residents but Village will plant Palm,
resident
Appendix C-4
Code Enforcement
6853 Main Street
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
(305) 364-6100
Public Works Department
10050 NE 2 Avenue
Miami, FL
(305) 795-2210
Live Oak or Mahogany if requested by
Miami Springs Public Works Department
www.miamisprings.com Tree Section
201 Westward Drive
Miami Springs, FL 33166
(305) 805-5170, option #3
Has an ordinance that allows planting on the swale and requires plan approval from list of pre -approved
species.
North Bay Village
www.nbvillaqe.com
All ROWs are for parking and DOT maintains the median strip
Building Department
7903 East Drive
Harbor Island
North Bay Village, FL 33141
(305) 754-6740
North Miami Parks Department
www.ci.north-miami.fl.us 776 NE 125 Street, Room 11
North Miami, FL 33161
(305) 893-6511, ext.2260
Require resident to apply and do utility checks and City will sell Oak tree at half price. City will then take over
maintenance of tree. City tree inventory is on database.
North Miami Beach
www.citynmb.com
Palmetto Bay
www. palmettobav-fl.gov
City Forester
Public Services
17050 NE 19 Avenue
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
(305) 948-2967
Public Works Department
8950 SW 152 Street
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
(305) 259-1234
Pinecrest, Village of Public Works Department
www.pinecrest-fl.gov 10800 Red Road
Pinecrest, FL 33156
(305) 669-6916
Species planned by landscape committee and installed by City contractor
Opa-Locka
www.citvofopalocka.orq
Public Works Department
777 Sharazad Blvd.
Miami, FL 33054
(305) 953-2828
South Miami
www.cityofsouthmiami.net
Sunny Isles Beach
www.sibfl.net
Surfside
www.town.surfside.fl.us
Sweetwater
www.citvofsweetwaterflorida.com
Land development code requires planting in ROW for new
specific species, Black Olives are prohibited on the ROW).
Virginia Gardens
West Miami
Unincorporated Municipal Service Area
Local Tree Organizations
TREEmendous Miami
www.treemendousmiami.orq
Florida Native Plant Society (Miami -Dade Chapter)
www. fnps. o rq
Grove Tree -Man Trust
Operation Green Leaves
www.00lhaiti.com
Redland Tropical Gardens
Tropical Flowering Tree Society
Appendix C-5
Public Works Department
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
(305) 663-6350
Zoning Department
17070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isle Beach, FL 33160
(305) 947-0606; Fax: 949-3113
Public Works Department
9293 Harding Ave.
Surfside, FL 33154
(305)993-1058/1059
City Clerk's Office
500 SW 109 Avenue
Miami, FL 33174
(305) 221-0411; FAX: 221-2541
buildings and approval for all ROW (streets have
Public Works Department or
Beautification Committee
6498 NW 38 Terrace
Miami, FL 33166
(305) 871-6104; FAX: 871-1120
Public Works or Building & Zoning
901 SW 62 Avenue
Miami, FL 33144
(305) 266-4214
Miami -Dade Urban Tree Program
DERM
33 SW 2 Avenue, 4th Floor
Miami, FL 33130
305-372-6574
305-378-1863
305-225-6404
305-443-1312
305-644-9000
305-258-5545
305-445-8076
Botanical Gardens
Doc Thomas House
5330 Sunset Dr, South Miami
Fairchild Tropical Garden
10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables
www.fairchildqarden.orq
Miami -Dade Fruit & Spice Park
25801 SW 187 Ave, Miami
www.miamidade.gov/parks/Parks/fruit spice.htm
Gifford Arboretum
University of Miami
fiq.cox.miami.edu/Arboretum/qifford.html
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive
Public Utilities
Sunshine State One
(Utility clearances - call 48 hours prior to digging)
Florida Power and Light (FPL)
"Right Tree, Right Place" Planting Guide and free mulch
www. fpl.com
South Florida Water Management District
Xeriscaping Guide
www.sfwmd.gov
Other Information Sources
University of South Florida, Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants
University of Florida, Electronic Document Information Service
University of Florida, Dr. Ed Gilman
Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association
Association of Florida Native Nurseries
Florida Urban Forestry Council
ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives)
TreeLink
American Forests
National Arbor Day Foundation
Urban Design Tree Planting
USDA Urban and Community Forestry Program
USDA Forest Service Southern Region
Appendix C-6
305-666-5111
305-667-1651
305-247-5727
305-284-5364
305-673-7245
1-800-432-4770
1-800-432-2045
www.plantatlas.usf.edu
edis.ifas.ufl.edu
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woodv/index. htm
www.fnga.orq
www.afnn.orq
407-872-1738
www.fufc.orq
www.iclei.orq/us
www.treelink.orq
www.americanforests.orq
www.arborday.orq
http://hort.ifas.edu/woody/index
vvww.fs.fed.us/ucf
www. urbanforestrvsouth.usda.gov
TREE WORKING GROUP TASKS ASSIGNMENTS
TASK
Appendix D-1
ASSIGNED TO
Aggressively pursue funding opportunities with State, Federal,
and private entities to replace lost canopy, develop adequate
maintenance plans, and mitigation strategies
Strategic Business Management, Community
Image Advisory Board, Office of Emergency
Management, Public Works, Parks,
municipalities, FPL
Develop an inventory of street tree resources in the County and
develop a management plan for those resources
Public Works, DERM, Planning and Zoning,
Cooperative Extension, Florida Division of
Forestry, municipalities
Review County policies, procedures, and practices that may
inhibit the implementation of the Street Tree Master Plan and the
County Landscape Ordinance, including right-of-way regulations
and determine the most effective management of the County
Green Infrastructure. Explore Context Sensitive Solutions
Community Image Advisory Board, Planning and
Zoning, Park and Recreation, Cooperative
Extension, Team Metro, and Public Works
Review the existing inventory, tree pruning and species selection
policies vis-a-vis wind storm and hurricane resistance to minimize
property damage and tree loss during storm events. Seek
mitigation strategies to address tree damage issues
Office of Emergency Management, Public
Works, Cooperative Extension, and FPL
Institute partnerships with municipal agencies with responsibility
for street tree planting and maintenance to establish
intergovernmental efforts with regard to tree canopy restoration
and enhancement
Community Image Advisory Board
Evaluate and strengthen as necessary the guidelines for plan
review that ensure adequate protection of existing trees during
construction, including, but not limited to, installation of barriers to
prohibit any disturbance within the drip lines of existing trees
DERM, Public Works, FDOT, MDX, and
municipalities
Oversee the training of County tree and landscape maintenance
crews and County contractors. Improper trimming or damage by
landscape tools may cause permanent harm to tree structure and
create a hazardous tree
Consumer Services/Cooperative Extension,
Public Works, and the Office of Emergency
Management
Develop design criteria to be used in the site plan review process
that will result in additional planting and lanscaping opportunities,
i.e. encourage bigger parking lot islands.
Planning and Zoning, muncipalities
Coordinate with natural area managers to ensure that all right -of-
way planting activities adjacent to natural areas or preserves are
species appropriate to that habitat and existing prohibited species
are removed from the area at time of the planting
DERM, Park and Recreation, Public Works and
municipalities
Encourage site analysis so that if soil is compacted or rocky or
water is within 2 feet of the surface then large maturing trees are
not planted, or the site is modified
Public Works, municipalities
Develop a plan and oversee the removal of prohibited species
from the public right-of-way and replacement with appropriate
species
DERM, Public Works, Parks
Conduct public meetings with homeowner groups and other
stakeholders to reach a consensus about how the road corridors
should look
Public Works and Planning and Zoning
Serve as liaison to community based organizations working with
tree planting initiatives
DERM and Community Image Advisory Board
Develop a cost -share plan with other governmental entities, the
private sector, and residents for a tree -planting program the
rights -of -way
Street Tree Working Group
Appendix D-2
Create and update Miami -Dade County Guide to Tree Planting
and Maintenance in the Public Right -of -Way as needed
Community Image Advisory Board, Public
Works, Planning and Zoning
Provide annual reports to the Board of County Commissioners on
the State of the Urban Tree Canopy beginning in 2008 which
detail the baseline study information and planting activities related
to the Street Tree Master Plan
Community Image Advisory Board and Street
Tree Working Group
Improve the street tree inventory by planting trees that are wind
tolerant species in the public right-of-way and protect existing
inventory by proper maintenance trimming. By improving the
survivability of street trees during wind storms, the public
investment is protected but also will reduce road debris and
hasten power restoration after a storm event
Public Works and municipalities
Establish stewardship of the existing legacy of mature trees and
effective planning for future planting and maintenance needs
Street Tree Working Group
Provide a list of recommended street trees as per the Landscape
Ordinance (See Appendix A) to give guidance to citizens and
governmental agencies regarding which tree species survive
better in harsh conditions for street trees, especially in swale
areas. Median trees may offer more flexibility on species
depending on the size of the planting area. Review annually to
update information
Planning and Zoning
Promote the use of trees for energy conservation by encouraging
cooling through the provision of shade and the channeling of
breezes, thereby helping to offset global warming and local heat
island effects through the added absorption of carbon dioxide and
reduction of heat islands
DERM
Map and prioritize removal of hazardous street trees and replant
where appropriate and develop a program for the selective
replacement of undesirable species that may be brittle, invasive
or not appropriate for rights -of -way plantings due to fruit drop or
invasive roots. Tree replacement would focus on less
problematic species listed in the Street Tree Master Plan
Public Works, municipalities
Encourage urban planning efforts to include the design of
pedestrian friendly environments. Encourage provisions of wide
sidewalks with sufficient space for trees where appropriate, in
public design projects. Design the soil space under and adjacent
to the hardscape to sustain root growth — good trees well
connected to the ground only develop if the roots have room to
grow
Planning and Zoning, Public Works,
municipalities
Coordinate the tree planting, permitting, removal and enforcement
of all municipalities and County agencies and promote
countywide cooperation in the restoration of canopy within Miami -
Dade County
Street Tree Working Group
Link urban and suburban environments with parks and natural
areas. Identify and support a network of connectivity, through
street planting, that complements greenway and blueway
(paddling trail for non -motorized watercraft e.g. canoe or kayak)
planning and implementation
Street Tree Working Group
Use street trees as a traffic calming device to support safe
sidewalks and street crossings for school children and
pedestrians in general
Public Works, municipalities