Fort Myers, FL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Heritage trees. Effort must be made to preserve a heritage tree - a large, native species, such as Live Oak, South Florida Slash or Longleaf Pine, Bald Cypress, etc., that has a twenty inch or greater diameter at breast height (20″ DBH). Removal may be considered by the owner or developer after all reasonable options have been investigated by the owner or developer to preserve a heritage tree in its existing location.iv.Replacement of heritage and other existing native trees. If an existing heritage or native tree must be removed from the site then a replacement native tree must be planted within an appropriate open space area of the site. The following criteria applies:a)An existing native tree that is from ten to nineteen inches diameter at breast height (10″—19″ DBH) must be replaced with a minimum fourteen-foot height (14'H) native tree.b)An existing heritage tree must be replaced with a minimum twenty foot height (20′H) native tree.