Trees & Landscaping

Overview

Miami Lakes’ tree canopy is one of the defining features of our community. Our trees provide shade, beauty, character, and environmental benefits throughout the Town. Caring for them properly helps preserve this shared resource for generations to come.

Whether you have a tree on private property, a question about a Town tree, or are planning tree work, this page can help you find the guidance, services, and resources you need.

Submit a Request through the Town’s Mobile App

Our Approach: Healthy Trees First

Miami Lakes’ tree canopy is a shared community resource. The Town works to preserve healthy trees whenever possible through proper tree-care practices that support tree health, structure, and public safety.

Tree Location & Ownership

Before You Trim, Cut Roots or Remove a Tree

Determine whether the tree is on private property or within the Town swale/right-of-way.
If it is a Town tree, contact the Town before performing any work.
If you are unsure, contact us before hiring a contractor.

Is the tree on private property?

Trimming Your Tree
Routine, selective pruning generally does not require a tree removal permit when the work is performed in accordance with ANSI A300 tree-care standards.

Planning to Cut Roots?
Root pruning is different from routine trimming. Contact the Town before cutting tree roots to confirm whether permit requirements apply.

Working Near a Neighbor’s Tree?
If branches from a neighboring tree extend onto your property, speak with the tree owner before trimming. Coordinate the proposed work to help ensure the pruning does not unnecessarily damage the tree.

Property Owner Responsibility
Property owners remain responsible for tree work performed on their property, even when a contractor is hired. Improper tree work may result in a Code Compliance violation being issued to the property owner. Before work begins, confirm what work is being proposed and who is responsible for completing it properly.

Is the tree within a Town swale or right-of-way?

It May Be a Town Tree
Trees located within a Town swale/right-of-way may be Town-owned. Do not hire someone to trim, remove, or perform root work on a Town tree without Town approval.

Check the Town’s Trimming Schedule
Town right-of-way trees are maintained on a three-year trimming cycle. Residents can check the Town’s Miami Lakes ROW Tree Trimming Cycles to determine when their area is scheduled for maintenance.

Need Trimming Before Your Scheduled Cycle?
The Resi-Pay Tree Trimming Program allows residents to request eligible Town-owned trees to be trimmed before their next scheduled maintenance cycle at the resident’s expense. Approved work is coordinated through the Town and must follow applicable tree-care standards.

Have a Tree Safety Concern?
If you believe a Town tree may be unsafe, submit a request through the Town’s mobile app under the “Tree Issues” category for evaluation. Safety-related concerns are handled separately from Resi-Pay requests.

Trees Near Power Lines

For tree concerns involving overhead electrical utilities, contact Florida Power & Light (FPL). The Town does not prune portions of trees located near overhead power lines.

Not Sure Who Owns the Tree?

Contact the Town before scheduling any work. Staff can help determine whether the tree is privately owned, within the Town right-of-way, or subject to additional requirements.

Hiring a Tree-Care Professional

Don’t Go Out on a Limb

Before anyone makes the cut, make sure you are hiring a qualified tree-care professional. Residents should ask questions, verify credentials and insurance, and understand the work being proposed before authorizing tree trimming or pruning. Use the resources below to help make an informed decision

before you hire, use the checklist

A qualified tree-care professional makes a difference. Use the Before You Hire a Tree Trimmer Checklist to review:

Training / Experience
Insurance
Professional credentials
Pruning practices & standards

find a professional: voluntary tree trimming vendor registry

Looking for a tree-trimming professional? The Town’s Voluntary Tree Trimming Vendor Registry is an additional resource available to residents.

Important: Participation in the registry does not constitute Town endorsement, certification, recommendation, or guarantee of any individual contractor or company.

View the Vendor Registry in the tab below ➔

Proper Pruning Practices

Proper pruning helps maintain tree health, structure, and safety. Improper or excessive pruning can permanently damage a tree and may violate the Town’s Tree Ordinance.

What Proper Pruning Looks Like

Good pruning practices generally include:

Maintaining the tree’s natural canopy shape
Using selective pruning instead of excessive thinning
Making cuts just outside the branch collar
Removing dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches

Avoid practices such as tree topping, excessive canopy reduction, hat-racking, stub cuts, or flush cuts.

Before Cutting Begins

Before authorizing tree work, make sure you understand exactly what is being proposed. Ask the tree-care professional:

Why does the tree need to be pruned?
What branches will be removed?
Approximately how much of the canopy will be removed?
What pruning method will be used?
Will accepted tree-care practices and standards be followed?

Improper or excessive pruning that seriously damages or destroys a tree may constitute a violation of the Town’s Tree Ordinance.

Know the Plan Before Work Begins

Ask the contractor to explain the proposed work before pruning begins. If you are unsure about the recommended work, use the Town’s Before You Hire a Tree Trimmer Checklist or review the Voluntary Tree Trimming Vendor Registry for additional resources.

View the Tree Ordinance

The Town of Miami Lakes Tree Ordinance establishes requirements intended to protect the Town’s trees and urban forest.

Tree FAQs

Find answers to common questions about Town-owned trees, private-property trees, trimming, permits, planting, and tree-care responsibilities.

Why doesn’t the Town cut back more of a tree when it is trimmed?

Proper pruning does not mean removing as much of the canopy as possible. Town trees are trimmed using recognized tree-care practices intended to support tree health, structure, and public safety.

The Town does not top trees or excessively reduce the canopy simply for appearance.

When might a Town tree be trimmed or removed?

Town trees are not removed solely because of leaf, flower, or seed drop, or for aesthetic preference. Removal may be considered when a tree is:

Diseased
Dying
Structurally unstable
Repeatedly interfering with utilities because of root growth

Each tree is evaluated based on its condition and surrounding circumstances.

Can I trim or remove a Town-owned tree myself?

No. Residents may not trim, remove, or otherwise perform work on a Town-owned tree without Town authorization. If you believe a Town tree needs attention, contact the Town or submit a tree concern before arranging any work.

What should I do if a Town tree appears unsafe or has low-hanging branches?

Report the concern so the tree can be evaluated. Town staff review tree concerns on a case-by-case basis, and trees meeting certain criteria may be addressed outside the regular trimming cycle.

What should I do if a Town tree is near power lines?

Contact Florida Power & Light (FPL) for tree concerns involving overhead electrical utilities. The Town does not prune portions of trees located near overhead utility lines.

Learn More About Trees & Power Lines

Does the Town trim trees on private property?

No. The Town does not trim trees located on private property. Property owners are responsible for arranging appropriate tree care for privately owned trees.

➤ Refer to the Tree Location & Ownership Tab

Can I plant a tree in a swale, parkway, or easement?

Town approval may be required before planting within a swale, parkway, easement, or other public right-of-way area. Contact the Town before planting to confirm the applicable requirements and appropriate tree placement.

Why doesn’t the Town typically plant palm trees in residential swales?

Miami Lakes places an emphasis on maintaining a healthy, shaded urban canopy. Palm trees generally provide less shade than canopy trees and may require more frequent pruning or self-pruning, creating additional maintenance and safety considerations

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Permits, Services & Resources

Tree Permits
Resi-Pay Tree Trimming Program
Tree Trimming Vendor Registry Program
Tree & Landscaping Resources

Tree Permits

Before removing, relocating, or significantly impacting a tree, determine whether a Tree Permit is required.

When Is a Permit Required?

A Tree Permit is generally required to:

Remove a protected tree
Relocate a protected tree
Perform work that may effectively destroy a protected tree
Conduct proposed root pruning on a Town-owned tree

Plan for Tree Replacement

Tree removal permits may include replacement requirements based on the amount and type of canopy affected. In general:

Regular-sized trees may require 100% canopy replacement
Specimen-sized trees may have additional replacement requirements
Tree Trust Fund requirements may also apply

Specific requirements are determined as part of the permit review process.

Just Trimming?

A Tree Removal Permit is generally not required for routine, selective pruning of privately owned trees when the work is performed in accordance with current ANSI A300 tree-care standards.

Improper pruning practices, including excessive pruning, topping, or hatracking that seriously damage or destroy a tree, may violate the Town’s Tree Ordinance.

Apply for a Tree Permit

Ready to submit an application or review the requirements?

Tree Permit Application

The application package includes information regarding exemptions, permit fees, tree replacement requirements, and application instructions.

Resi-Pay Tree Trimming Program

Program Overview

The Town of Miami Lakes offers the Resi-Pay Tree Trimming Program, which allows residents to purchase Trimming services by Town-approved vendors to trim Town-owned trees before their next scheduled maintenance cycle. While standard Town tree-trimming services do not include trimming for leaf litter or personal preference, this program gives residents the option to request such trimming at their own expense—provided the work does not negatively affect the health of the tree.

why does the town offer the new resi-pay program?

The Town of Miami Lakes has over 18,000 trees located throughout its landscaped areas, many are in close proximity to residential properties. As a result, the Town receives a high volume of requests for tree trimming. To address this, the town developed a procedure that allows residents to pay to have Town-owned trees near their homes trimmed prior to their next scheduled maintenance.

Please note, any tree deemed unsafe will be trimmed or removed promptly, regardless of this program. If you believe a tree may pose a safety concern, report it to the Town immediately.

How it works

All trimming will be completed by a Town-approved vendor in accordance with ANSI-A300 industry standards. Homeowners opting into the Resi-Pay Program are responsible for the associated costs, which vary based on the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the tree. Pricing typically ranges from $50 for smaller trees to up to $300 for larger trees. Please note: a $25 administrative fee will be added to the total.

programming limitations

Applies only to public trees maintained by the Town
Does not replace the Town’s routine trimming cycle
First-come, first-served basis
Trees are generally trimmed to conformance with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Standards to enhance the health and integrity of the trees and for public safety.

application form

Access the application form here.

Tree Trimming Vendor Registry Program

The Voluntary Tree Trimming Vendor Registry Program is a significant step toward enhancing safety, ensuring industry-standard tree care, and providing residents with access to qualified professionals. The program addresses the need for accountability and environmental stewardship in tree care practices.

Key Highlights of the Program:

Voluntary Participation: Companies can voluntarily register by meeting standardized criteria, including certifications, insurance, and adherence to safety guidelines.

Structured Process: The program includes application submission, review, approval, and ongoing compliance checks.

Public Directory: Approved vendors will be listed in a searchable online directory, making it easier for residents to find trusted professionals.

Annual Renewal and Compliance: Companies must renew their registration annually, complete continuing education, and undergo periodic audits.

The program aims to reduce unsafe practices, preserve the Town’s tree canopy, and promote sustainability. It also supports the Town’s goals of transparency, accountability, and environmental preservation.

Supporting Documents:

Active Vendors: