Fort Myers does not maintain a stand-alone 'heritage tree' registry under Chapter 138, but the City's Chapter 138 (Vegetation) protects specimen/protected native species through Land Development Code review. The Florida Forest Service (FDACS) administers the statewide Florida Champion Tree Program, which records the largest known specimen of each native and naturalized species. Nominations are submitted to FDACS; champion status is a recognition, not an additional removal preemption.
The City of Fort Myers Code of Ordinances Chapter 138 (Vegetation), Articles II (§ 138-46 et seq.) and III (Trees), uses the categories 'protected tree' and 'specimen tree' rather than 'heritage tree.' Under those articles, removal of a protected or specimen native tree requires a City permit and, where approved, triggers replacement under Article II. The statewide Florida Champion Tree Program — administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Forest Service — recognizes the largest known specimen of each species using the ISA point system (trunk circumference + total height + 1/4 average crown spread). Champion status itself does not grant removal preemption, but champion or near-champion specimens almost always qualify as 'specimen trees' under Chapter 138, requiring the highest level of review. Mangroves remain separately preempted to FDEP (FS 403.9321-403.9333). FS 163.045 still applies — a single-family owner with proper ISA-certified arborist documentation can remove a hazardous tree without a City permit even if it is a champion-class specimen.
Removal of a specimen-class tree under Chapter 138 without a permit (and without the FS 163.045 documentation) can result in Code Compliance citation, replacement under Article II, and Special Magistrate fines. Damaging a Florida Champion Tree carries no separate state penalty by itself, but the underlying City protection and any FDEP wetland/mangrove rules still apply.
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