The adoption of a program for the designation and preservation of Grand Trees within Sarasota County promotes the health and economic well being of the residents and property owners in Sarasota.

Does your tree qualify as a Grand Tree?

What criteria must be met for a tree to be “Grand”?
In Sarasota County a tree is considered for “Grand” status if it meets or exceeds the number of points given in Table 1.

Three different measurements need to be taken in order to determine the points for a particular tree.

1. The first measurement is the Diameter at Breast Height or DBH.
   • This is the diameter of the trunk 54 inches above the ground.
   • If branches or stem junctures prevent taking this measurement at 54 inches above the ground then a different measurement must be taken.
   • The alternative measurement is below the juncture where the trunk is comprised of one main leader that is not forked.
2. The second measurement is of the Height of the tree.
   • This is taken from the ground to the upper most portion of the tree.
3. The third measurement is the Average Canopy Spread or Drip Line Diameter.
   • The Drip Line is an imaginary vertical line running from the outermost branches or tree crown to the ground. Average canopy spread is determined by taking the longest and shortest diameters of limb spread or drip line and dividing by two.
   • The number of points received for each inch or foot measured is shown in Table 2.

If a tree species meets or exceeds the point total listed above, then the Condition Classification needs to be determined. The Condition Classification is a rating of a plant based on its current structural integrity and state of health as defined by the “Guide for Plant Appraisal” published by the International Society of Arboriculture. A rating of 70 percent or greater is required for a tree to actually attain Grand Tree status.

How do I know if I have a Grand Tree?
If you think your tree might be a Grand Tree, Resource Protection staff can be contacted at 861-5000 for consultation. If a tree has the potential to be Grand based on a brief description staff will perform a site inspection to take measurements and confirm the tree’s status.

If I have a Grand Tree, do I need a permit to remove it
Yes, a Tree Permit is required for the removal of any Grand Tree. Information on applying for a Tree Permit along with office locations and telephone numbers are listed at the end of this brochure.

All subdivision plans, site and development plans, building plans and rezone and special exception petitions shall be designed to protect Grand Trees. Exceptions may only be made for safety reasons or if the applicant can clearly show that setting aside the space necessary to preserve a Grand Tree would completely prevent the development of a lot or parcel.

If I will be performing activities of potential disturbance and/or development where Grand Trees exist, what protection standards shall be adhered to?
During development, including single and multi-family lots, and/or when performing actions of potential disturbance where Grand Trees are present, activities that may cause disturbance or injury to the tree should not occur within 1 1/2 times the drip line area of the Grand Tree (such as cut and fill activities, building pad placements, road bed construction, construction material storage, driving or parking of equipment, trenching, etc.). 

Are barricades required when working around Grand Trees?
Yes, tree protection barricades are required if activities of disturbance or development will occur where Grand Trees are present. Tree barricades shall remain in place and intact until the work is completed. The following are the minimum requirements for protective barriers:

1. Protective barricades shall be placed at 1 1/2 times the drip line for each Grand Tree, except when a plan has been approved by Resource Protection staff to place the barricades closer to the trunk.
2. Barricades shall be a minimum of 2 x 4 inches or larger wooden post and shall be connected with a minimum of at least a 1 x 4 inch wooden board and shall be clearly flagged. Other similar methods such as construction fencing may be permitted if approved in writing by staff in advance of installation. Posts shall be implanted deep enough into the ground to be stable and extend a minimum height of 3 feet above the ground. A sign shall be installed at the edge of each grand tree Barricade stating, ”No activities are allowed within barricaded area, unless approved by the County.” The text on the sign needs to be written in English and Spanish.

Information for Typical Site Plan/Tree Survey
The site plan shall include all information as required by the tree protection program, Sarasota County Code, section 54-586(b)(1).

If activities within the drip line area or pruning must be performed on a Grand Tree,  what arboriculture practices must be observed?
When activities must affect a Grand Tree within the drip line or when pruning must be performed on the crown of a Grand Tree, the following arboricultural practices are required:

1. Roots must be severed by clean pruning cuts. Roots can be pruned by utilizing trenching equipment that is specifically designed for this purpose or by hand digging a trench and pruning roots with a chain saw, pruning saw or other equipment designed for tree pruning. Root pruning shall be to a depth of 12 inches below existing grade or to the depth of the disturbance if greater than 12 inches below the existing grade. When underground utilities are to be installed through the drip line, root pruning requirements will be waived if the lines are installed via tunneling or directional boring as opposed to trenching.
2. All pruning of Grand Trees shall conform to ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A300 Standards-1995 or latest edition. A copy of these standards is available through the Board of County Commissioners, Board Records Office, phone 941-861-7400.
3. Where development activity is permitted within the drip line of a Grand Tree, Resource Protection staff may require additional tree protection provisions to be incorporated in the conditions of the permit to assure the protection of the Grand Tree.
4. Where elevation changes are proposed within the drip line of any Grand Tree, the applicant will be required to install retaining walls or drain tiles unless the applicant demonstrates such protection would be impractical. The applicant has the choice of the type or design. These root protection measures shall be in place prior to the deposition of fill or excavation of soil within the drip line. Resource Protection staff will provide written conditions for work within the drip line of a Grand Tree after the submitted plan has been approved.

What information must accompany an application for a Tree Permit?
A site plan must accompany an application for Tree Permit. Trees in the project/work area must be illustrated on the site plan. The degree of detail in the plan will depend on the site and type of work/development proposed. Staff may be contacted to discuss your particular site requirements. At a minimum, Grand Trees shall be identified by DBH, height, the size of the drip line (in feet) and the proposed location of tree protection barricades.

If a Grand Tree exists on a lot and the proposed activity will encroach into the drip line, a plan shall be submitted by a forester, certified arborist (with current credentials from the International Society of Arboriculture) or a Florida licensed landscape architect specifying the methods to be utilized to preserve the tree. This plan shall address the protection of the root system, crown and trunk of the tree and the means of supplying water and essential nutrients if applicable.