Urban Forestry staff selects a tree species according to the width of the planting strip, or right of way, as well as the presence of overhead utility lines, and the type of soil present in the possible planting location. Tree species are evaluated for their performance in relation to pest and disease susceptibility, and potential infrastructure damage.  

Contact 630-CITY to request up to two trees in your right of way.  The right of way is typically the area between the street and the back of the sidewalk, and the width can vary.  Urban Forestry staff will inspect the property to determine if the site is suitable for having a street tree based on the following factors:  underground utilities (gas, water, sewer and communication lines), utility poles, street lights, overhead service lines, driveways, fire hydrants, stop signs and other street signs, proximity to intersections, proximity to existing tree canopy and the mature size of the selected tree species. Spacing between trees will be determined by the mature size of the species selected and location of existing trees.

Topping is a destructive practice with any species of tree. Crapemyrtle may tolerate annual topping but there are zero benefits associated with the practice. Size reduction can be achieved but often to the detriment of flower production, winter form and other aesthetics.  In addition, plants are left to cope with substantial injury and recovery. Crapemyrtles properly planted in full sun, being propertly maintained and allowed to grow to their natural size tend to be some of the most beautiful ornamental trees in the landscape.

The Tree Commission has developed an approved tree list for city parks and right of ways which serves as an excellent guide for tree selection. Another way to discover trees that do well in the area is to look around–identify trees that are planted in your area and are thriving. 

It’s important to select the right plant for the right place.  This can be established by considering many factors, such as site conditions, maintenance level, and overall needs for the site.  Check out these principles for selecting suitable plants for your location:  https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/FFL/right-plant-right-place.html

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council compiles an invasive species list every two years.  Professional botanists and others perform exhaustive studies to determine invasive exotic plants that should be included on the list.  This list can be found here: https://floridainvasivespecies.org/plantlist.cfm

There are different types of rights of way that are considered City of Jacksonville property and if located within city property, will approve city tree work to be done once inspected and approved. The most common right of way is the area located in front of your house, and it can be different widths depending on the size of the street. A general indicator will be the sidewalk and utility poles as to where the right of way ends and private property begins. There are also rights of way located on each side of a city maintained ditch, usually behind the property that the city will inspect trees if requested. Once tree work is requested one of your urban foresters will be out to inspect the issue and will determine if the tree is within the City’s right of way.

The City’s Urban Forestry’s tree removal budget is limited to removing hazards from the City’s urban forests. Once a tree removal has been approved and assigned, the city’s tree crew or a tree crew contracted by the city will go out and remove the tree to the point where there is no longer a hazard. Deadwood is an important habitat for many wildlife species so the city does not remove the dead trunk or stump from city maintained ditch banks. 

The City’s Urban Foresters inspect every tree removal request that is sent to them via the 630-CITY CARE platform. A tree removal will only be approved by the urban forestry team if it meets the criteria based on a tree risk assessment done on site by the forester. Small trees, living trees, and vegetation are not approved to be removed by the urban forestry team. Trees on the ditch provide important erosion control and removing them can accelerate the rate of erosion on the ditch behind your residence.

No, the City will usually not approve a tree removal unless the tree meets the criteria from the urban foresters’ risk assessment to be removed. Healthy trees are protected under the City’s Tree Ordnance and will not be removed because it could be causing cracking in infrastructure. You are able to call 630-CITY to report sidewalk damage and a separate division will come out to determine if they will fix it. The City’s urban forestry team might be brought in after the sidewalk has been approved to be fixed in order to minimally grind roots that are affecting their repair.  

If a homeowner has a tree on city property and submitted a ticket for removal that was denied by the urban forester, the homeowner does have thr option of requesting a permit for a City tree removal. The permit is granted through the Building Inspection Division and the expense will fall on the homeowner.