As Florida transitions into a new era of tree care regulations, property owners and property managers are at the root of a problem to keep Broward county’s tree canopy healthy and safe. University of Florida experts are encouraging consumers to seek out tree services that have training certifications in trimming best practices.
As a result of changes to House Bill 735 that sunsets the Broward County Tree Trimmer Licensing Ordinance, effective July 1, the importance of hiring trained and certified tree trimmers remains paramount.
While local governments can no longer mandate a tree trimmer license, counties such as Broward County, still enforce regulations like the Tree Preservation and Abuse Ordinance to keep tree canopies healthy and properties safe, said Michael Orfanedes, a commercial horticulture agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
“Cities are still responsible for enforcing regulations like the one in Broward County to protect our urban forests,” he said. “The ones who will be at risk the most will be those in the industry who do not know what they are missing in terms of training to meet standards, and their customers who receive violation notices for improper pruning, or worse lose their trees during storms or to disease.”
According to industry data from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), improper tree care can increase maintenance costs by up to 30% and reduce property values by as much as 15 %. Additionally, trees that are not properly cared for are more likely to fail during storms, leading to costly damage and safety hazards. Studies have shown that well-maintained trees can increase property values by up to 20% and reduce air conditioning costs by 10% – 15%.
Orfanedes, who provides horticulture training and expertise to the landscape industry as well as property owners and managers, is also an ISA-certified arborist and a landscape inspector certified by the Landscape Inspectors Association of Florida (LIAF).
He emphasized that even though the licensing requirement has ended, it’s crucial for tree care professionals to be well-trained and certified to avoid tree abuse and promote healthy, safe pruning practices.
“The need for professional expertise in tree care has never been more critical as storm seasons become longer and more aggressive. Furthermore, the potential for tree abuse is also now greater with the likely surge in the number of untrained people taking on tree work,” he said. “This ordinance in Broward aims to protect trees from abuse and ensure proper care and is a critical tool for maintaining the health of our urban forest.”
ISA certified arborists as well as those with a UF/IFAS Broward County Extension Tree Trimmer Certification are trained to follow tree care standards set forth in the American National Standards for Tree Care Operations. These standards provide guidelines for proper tree pruning, ensuring that pruning is done safely and effectively to maintain proper tree health.
Orfanedes cautions tree trimmers who do not adhere to these standards can still be cited for tree abuse in accordance with county ordinances.
For consumers, the changes in licensing regulations mean that hiring untrained or uncertified tree trimmers can lead to improper pruning, resulting in costly violation notices and potential damage to trees and property.
Orfanedes advises the public to be vigilant and only hire certified professionals who are knowledgeable and adhere to industry standards.
He also highlights some common tree pruning mistakes to avoid:
- Over pruning: Cutting off too much foliage can stress trees, making them more susceptible to decline and diseases.
- Topping Trees: Cutting off the top of a tree can lead to weakly attached regrowth. Given time, weighty regrowth may be more likely to break and fall, potentially causing property damage in the future.
- Overlifting: A chronic problem resulting from removing too much of the lower and mid canopy which weakens limbs causing them to over elongate and lose taper. This condition also increases the likelihood of limb breakage during storms.
“Ignoring these best practices can result in significant costs for homeowners. Ordinance violations for improper pruning can lead to fines and the need for corrective tree care, which can be expensive,” said Orfanedes.
To learn more about tree trimming classes available, visit the UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Horticulture Program website.
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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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