Palm Beach County Pruning

• To maintain or limit the size and shape of a plant to avoid its overpowering the landscape.

• To remove undesirable growth that distracts from the balance or symmetry of the plant.

• To remove diseased, dead, or abnormal plant tissue.

• To stimulate flowering and/or fruit production of old plants.

• To develop a specific plant form, which is approved by the Zoning Division prior to pruning.

• To direct or train trees to grow in a particular form to eliminate problems.

• To remove plant parts that may interfere with structures or utility lines or that may create a visibility problem.

• To improve the appearance or health of a plant.

• To prevent personal injury or property damage.

• To train young plants to produce stronger and more vigorous trees.

• To rejuvenate old trees and shrubs.

Pruning. Pruning shall be permitted to allow for healthy growth, and to promote safety considerations. Trees which cause a conflict with views, signage or lighting shall not be pruned more than the maximum allowed. The Zoning Director may suspend the provisions of this section in case of a natural disaster.

a. A maximum of one fourth (0.25) of tree canopy may be removed from a tree within a one (1) year period, provided that the removal conforms to the standards of crown reduction, crown cleaning, crown thinning, crown raising, vista pruning, and crown restoration pruning techniques. All pruning shall comply with the American National Standards Institute, ANSI 300=1995 (Tree, Shrub and other Woody Plant Maintenance), as amended. The crown of a tree required by this code or condition of approval shall not be reduced below the minimum spread or height requirements of Sec. 7.3.E. or specific BCC conditions of approval. A tree which is pruned in excess of these requirements shall be fined and/or replaced with a tree that meets the minimum requirements of Sec 7.3.E.14.d. and Table 7.3-2.

b. If other than the mature height and spread is desired for any required tree, the size and shape shall be indicated on an approved landscape plan. Shaping of a tree shall be permitted if the tree is to be used as an accent, focal point or as part of an overall landscape design. A maintenance commitment shall be clearly outlined on the approved landscape plan to explain the care and upkeep of a shaped tree.

c. Tree topping (hatracking) is prohibited and shall be defined as the cutting back of limbs to a point between branch collars/buds larger than two-three inch in diameter within the tree's crown.

d. Exemptions. The following shall be exempt from this section.

(1) Trees affected by FAA and airport safety regulations.

(2) Trees which interfere with safe site triangles, utility lines, or utility structures.

(3) Trees having crown dieback or decay greater than one third the tree canopy.

(4) Trees having suffered damage due to natural or accidental causes.

(5) Trees having insect or disease damage greater than one-third of the tree crown.

(6) Trees on single family lots unless pruned by a commercial tree service business, landscape company, lawn service business or other related businesses.

(7) Trees in botanical gardens, or botanical research centers. [Ord. No. 98-12]

Definitions:

The following list of terms and definitions are to assist staff & the general public with pruning terminology. Many of the terms are not found in the ULDC, therefore, staff has referred to the ANSI and U.S. Department of Agricultural for expanded definitions related to pruning.

Branch: A secondary shoot or stem arising from one of the main axes (i.e., trunk or leader) of a tree or woody plant. (ANSI A300-1995)

Crown: The leaves and branches of a tree or shrub; the upper portion of a tree from the lowest branch on the trunk to the top. (ANSI A300-1995)

Crown Cleaning: The removal of dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached, low-vigor branches, and watersprouts from a tree's crown. (ANSI A300-1995)

Crown Raising: The removal of the lower branches of a tree in order to provide clearance. (ANSI A300-1995)

Crown Thinning: The selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement, and to reduce weight. (ANSI A300-1995)

* Flush Cuts : Pruning cuts that originate inside the branch bark ridge or the branch collar, causing unnecessary injury to stem tissues.

Heading: Cutting a currently growing or one-year-old shoot back to a bud, or cutting an older branch or stem back to a stub or lateral branch not sufficiently large enough to assume the terminal role. Heading should rarely be used on mature trees. (ANSI A300-1995)

* Pollarding: The annual removal of all the previous year's growth, resulting in a flush of slender shoots and branches each spring.

Pruning: Removal of plant parts. (ANSI A300-1995)

Stub: An undesirable short length of a branch remaining after a break or incorrect pruning cut is made. (ANSI A300-1995)

* Tipping: A poor maintenance practice used to control the size of tree crowns; involves the cutting of branches at right angles leaving long stubs.

* Topiary: The pruning and training of a plant into a desired geometric or animal shape.

Tracing: Shaping a wound by removing loose bark from in and around a wound. (ANSI A300-1995)

Topping (Hatracking): The cutting back of limbs to a point between branch collars/buds larger than one inch in diameter within the tree's crown. (Sec. 7.3.H.4, ULDC)

*: Reference source: "How to Prune Trees", U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry.

Enforcement (ULDC Sec. 7.3.M.)

M. Enforcement. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section or any permit or approval granted or authorized hereunder shall constitute a violation of this section. PZ&B may issue a Cease and Desist Order or withhold a Certificate of Occupancy or Certification of Completion until the provisions of this section have been met.

1. Fines. Violations of the provisions of this section shall be punishable by:

a. such fines and site improvements as may be required by the Palm Beach County Code Enforcement Citation Ordinance (Ord. No. 91-15);

b. such fines and imprisonment provided for in Section 125.69, Florida Statues or,

c. a triple permit fee for removal of trees without a valid tree removal and replacement permit.

d. replacement of landscape material which has been hatracked, damaged or otherwise rendered unable to achieve its natural and intended form.

2. Violations. The following deficiencies shall be considered a separate and continuing violation of this section:

a. each tree or shrub which is not properly installed or properly maintained on site as required by this section;

b. each day in which landscaping is not properly installed or properly maintained on site as required by this section; and,

c. each tree removed without a permit.

3. Restoration and maintenance. Landscaping which becomes damaged or diseased, or is dead shall be immediately replaced to comply with the PZ&B approved landscape plan or with the requirements of this section to the greatest extent possible (if a PZ&B approved landscape plan is not on file).

4. Review board. Violations of this section may be referred by PZ&B to the Palm Beach County Code Enforcement Board for corrective actions and civil penalties.

5. Additional sanctions. The County may take any appropriate legal action, including, but not limited to, administrative action, requests for temporary and permanent injunctions, and other sanctions to enforce the provisions of this Section

[Ord. No. 97-63] [Ord. No. 97-64] [Ord. No. 98-49]

For further information contact:

Palm Beach County Zoning Division
2300 N. Jog Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33411

(561) 233-5200