Special tree programs are an integral aspect of those efforts.

Our scenic "neighborwoods" initiative finds expression through a Neighborhood Street Tree Program which offers minimal-cost tree design, election and planting along neighborhood rights-of-way.
Forestry also fostered creation of the Canopy Tree Program and Ordinance, in response to widespread community support for preservation and protection of the region’s natural canopy roads.

Canopy Road Program

What is a Canopy Road?
A Canopy Road is a county owned and maintained street where preservation and maintenance of oaks and other species will maintain their historic, aesthetic, economic, cultural and environmental value.

Why Do We Have Canopy Roads?

• To conserve, protect and enhance the aesthetic and scenic beauty of the county.
• To provide shade.
• To increase economic value of properties and neighborhoods, encouraging quality development.
• To protect the environment of the county.
• To aid in the reduction of air pollution by protecting the capacity of trees to produce oxygen and sequester carbon dioxide.
• To assist in the absorption of rainwater into the ground, thereby protecting against potential damages from soil erosion and flooding, as well as reducing the cost of handling stormwater by artificial means.
• To reduce potential damage from wind

What Protection Do Canopy Roads Have?
Unless exempt under Section 98-96, it shall constitute a violation of this article for any " ... person to remove a tree or trees or cause a tree or trees to be removed or to prune in Canopy Road Designated Areas, except in accordance with the Tree Removal and Protection Permit issued by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of this article ... " (Ord. No. 2001-041, 5/23/2001). To view the entire ordinance click Canopy Road Ordinance.

Neighborhood Tree Program
To promote the interests and welfare of Sarasota County residents, the Forestry Division created a Residential Street Tree Planting Program that offers design, selection and planting services to qualifying neighborhoods and Homeowners’ Associations.

Interested residential groups must be secure a 75% owner participation, confirmed in writing. We suggest appointing a Residents’ Coordinator who will act as liaison with Forestry throughout the planning, planting and subsequent care cycles.

A written proposal is required, indicating the nature of your neighborhood proposal, relevant streets and desired tree species. Proposals are submitted by Forestry to Sarasota Tree Advisory Council (STAC) on a first-come, first-served basis, and decided in consultation with Forestry.

A successful proposal satisfies the following elements:

• all relevant roads must be county-owned and maintained;
  • subject to best practices considerations of overhead utilities, easement space, traffic visibility clearance and irrigation.
• The proposal must contain at least 20 but no more than 150 trees,
  • the planting area must leave at leave 4.5' of green space between the road and any sidewalk of otherwise impermeable surface.
• Final species will be selected by Forestry, according to available conditions and suitability.
• And healthy trees shall be furnished at a cost of only $50 per tree (compare approximate retail prices of $200 per tree),
  • coupled with a covenant by the neighborhood association to water the trees and clear surrounding areas of weed and grass during the establishment period (normally one year).

Since creation of this program in 1994, Forestry has successfully completed nearly 40 Street Tree Projects. The Residential Street Tree Program is another partnership between you and the county, developed to enhance the natural beauty of our community and to use those assets for a healthy, productive and sustainable quality of life.

Contact the Sarasota County Forestry Division With Questions About: