North Miami, FL Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

North Miami's tree protection ordinance provides enhanced protections for heritage and specimen trees. Heritage trees are generally defined as trees with a trunk diameter exceeding 18-24 inches DBH or trees designated as historically or ecologically significant by the city. Native tropical hardwood species common to South Florida receive heightened protection, including live oak, gumbo limbo, mahogany, royal palm, sabal palm, and black ironwood. These species are critical to the urban canopy and ecological health of the community. Removal of heritage trees requires strong justification such as imminent danger, disease with no treatment option, or unavoidable development conflict after exploring all alternatives. When removal is approved, replacement ratios are significantly increased — often requiring multiple replacement trees per heritage tree removed, with caliper-inch-for-caliper-inch replacement in some cases. The city may require bonding or escrow to ensure replacement plantings survive. Heritage trees on city property and in public rights-of-way are maintained by the Public Works Department. Unauthorized pruning that damages a heritage tree's health or structural integrity is treated as a violation. Contact Community Planning and Development at (305) 895-9825.