Bradenton, FL Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Section 2.2.3.1 of the Land Use Regulations names the trees under the heading Invasive species prohibited trees (F.S.). The list runs: Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine), Casuarina glauca (Brazilian beefwood), Melaleuca quinquenervia (Australian paperbark), Mimosa pigra (catclaw mimosa), Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper), Albizia julibrissin (mimosa), Albizia lebbeck (woman's tongue), Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry), Cinnamomum camphora (camphor), Cupaniopsis anacardioides (carrotwood), Dalbergia sissoo (Indian rosewood), Enterolobium cyclocarpum (elephant's ear), Ficus (all), Leucaena leucocephala (lead tree), Melia azedarach (chinaberry), Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow) and Scefflera actinophylla (schefflera).

The section gives the listed trees two consequences. First, they are exempt from tree removal permit requirements, so removing one does not need the PCD director's permit. The exemption has a condition: it does not apply to a tree that is part of an approved landscape or PDP plan. Second, the listed trees are either prohibited from planting or not creditable toward tree replacement or landscaping requirements, so planting one does not satisfy a replacement or landscaping obligation.

A separate rule applies to street trees. Under subsection 4.1.3.5, sidewalks come with a landscaped area between sidewalk and curb, a minimum of three feet where feasible, and a tree must be planted within that area every 100 linear feet. The tree species shall not include Brazilian Pepper, Carrotwood, Australian Pine, Chinese tallow, Melaleuca or any tree that meets the definition of invasive as determined by the Florida Invasive Species Council. Species are chosen based on climate suitability and site constraints following the principle of Right Tree, Right Place, and the director of public works can prohibit planting under certain circumstances.

Those planting rules sit next to other right-of-way conditions: a root barrier around select trees, no tree closer than ten feet (five feet with a root barrier) to a utility owned and operated by the Public Works Department, and no trees in utility easements or under overhead utility lines.