How Much Does Tree Removal Cost?

When you call a tree service professional to remove a tree, the price will range between $415 and $591. This is due to several factors about the service, including how many trees, the height, width, whether it’s an emergency situation, and if there has to be pruning done ahead of time to make the tree easier to take down without hitting your home or the power lines around your yard. The average cost will probably be around $503.

How Much Does Stump Removal Cost?

Stump removal in Miami runs an average of $550, if you’re wanting the entire stump uprooted and taken away by the professional. It’s a more extensive job that can take around seven hours because of the roots, digging the entire stump up, moving it to a truck and whatever difficulties may present themselves ahead of time. In comparison, stump grinding is a much easier task that can be quoted to you by the hour. This runs a Miami resident between $76 to $140, since the stump will remain in your lawn but low enough to not be any real trouble.

Average Cost of Tree Maintenance in Miami

Pruning is an important part of keeping up trees in Miami and is even encouraged by the city. Doing so will help keep trees healthy and in check for when storms hit the city from the ocean. Maintaining your trees will cost between $280 to $372 with an average of $326 quoted to you by the professional landscaper or arborist who comes out to help you.

Rules and Regulations Regarding Trees in Miami

Removal, relocation, pruning or trimming more than 25 percent of trees require permits. Tree permits will also be required when trimming any portion of the roots. Tree removal and trimming should be completed long before hurricane season starts on June 1st, according to Miami officials. It’s recommended that having the trimming and removal done before hurricane season better prepares your house for lesser damages when hurricanes hit.

According to Miami-Dade County, trees that will top out at 20 feet can be planted near overhead utility lines. Ones that reach 30 feet need to be at least 20 feet from all surrounding utility lines. Any taller than 30 feet should be at least 30 feet from all surrounding utility lines.

Florida’s State Tree

The state tree of Florida is the sabal palm (Sabal palmetto). It is the most widely seen palm in Florida. It grows in almost any type of soil and can be used for food and medicine. The sabal palm is one of the most wind-resistant trees in any landscape, which mean it holds up against the hurricanes that hit Miami every year with ease. It reaches 40-50 feet in height with 10-15 foot palmate leaves at the top. In the summer a white flower appears followed by green-black fruit.

Common Trees to Plant

The Miami-Dade County government has pushed for several common types of trees to be planted by its residents as part of its canopy enhancement project. In addition to seeing the state tree on almost every block, some of the other common trees you’ll see and can plant in your backyard with great resistance to hurricane winds include:

• Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus)
• Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
• Simpson stopper (Myricanthes fragrans)
• Strangler fig (Ficus aurea)

Florida holds 130 reigning spots on the National Register for Champion Trees,with Miami home to many of them. So far, the tallest of them is the 115-foot korina tree at Flamingo Gardens in Davie.

A lot of tropical fruits can grow in Miami because of its warm climate. Banana, cherry and mango trees are just a few of many different types that thrive in the climate. Pineapples, raspeberries and peaches are also good for growing in the area.

What Not to Plant in Miami

Because of hurricane season hitting Miami so hard every year, there are certain types of trees that just don’t stand up well to the storm because they’re too brittle or have weak branches. These include trees like bischofia, avocado, African tulip, jacaranda, weeping fig, yellow tabebuia, Norfolk Island pine, and Queen palms.

Also, seeds from plants in other parts of the world have blown into Miami and settled to grow.  However, they have destroyed the natural order of the Miami ecosystem and are now banned by Miami-Dade County. Some of these include the Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum), Gold Coast jasmine (Jasminum dichotomum) and more. For the full list, see the Miami-Dade County Prohibited Plant Species List. The County also recommends that any residents who see these species on their lawns have them removed immediately.

Common Tree Diseases

Due to the invasive plants taking over Miami, there are various diseases and pests following them and attacking. Last year laurel wilt was discovered, which is a fungus that kills trees by cutting off their light and water supply and is transmitted by way of the female Asian redbay ambrosia beetle. The gumbo limbo spiraling whitefly is another pest that can kill tree seedlings, early development, or unhealthy trees. The fig (ficus) whitefly has been attacking weeping figs and draining them of their juices, which causes their leaves to yellow and dry, eventually dying without treatment.

Powdery mildew and anthracnose are also two common fungal infections that are seriously injuring the mango tree population of Miami. Anthracnose leads to fruit rot, while powdery mildew during the flowering stage of mango trees can reduce the amount that become fruit. The County is doing everything it can to make residents aware of what the signs of these two fungal infections are to prevent further death of mango trees in the area.

Plant Hardiness Zones in Florida

Here are plant hardiness zones in Florida as provided by the USDA:

Images Sources:
Norfolk Island pine
Simpson stopper

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